25 March 2010, Colombo; The Governments of Maldives and Japan, represented by JICA, yesterday signed a Grant Agreement that extends 1 billion Japanese Yen, approximately 11.1 million US Dollars, for the project Clean Energy Promotion in Male’.

The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Maldives by its High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H E Mr. Ali Hussain Didi. Mr. Akira Shimura, Chief Representative of JICA in Sri Lanka signed on behalf of JICA.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, High Commissioner Didi expressed the Government’s sincere appreciation for the support given by the Government of Japan to the developmental needs of the Maldives and recalled the long history of partnership that exist between the Maldives and Japan. The Japanese Ambassador thanked the Maldivian Government and highlighted the active role played by President Mohamed Nasheed in drawing global attention to the plight of small island developing states caused by climate change.

ENDS.