8 September 2009

Kigali — The Japanese government under its 'Non-Project Grant Aid' (NPGA) initiative has given Rwanda Rwf 3 billion (600 million Yen) grant to be spent in areas that government deems a priority within the national budget.

Receiving the grant on behalf of government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali expressed gratitude for the excellent relations that exist between the two countries.

In the past, a similar form of grant was used by the government to replenish her strategic fuel reserves. The money is not tagged to any specific expenditure program but instead goes straight to the national budget.

"It is our sincere hope that this Non-Project Grant Aid will contribute towards realization of Rwanda's development goals," Ambassador Shigeo Iwatani, Japan's envoy to Rwanda said.

The last NPGA grant was disbursed in 2007 and it was used in the rehabilitation of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology and Tumba College of Technology.

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