Ambassador of Bhutan to Japan V Namgyel and Ambassador of Japan to Bhutan Satoshi Suzuki signed the Exchange of Notes for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship worth Yen 177 million in New Delhi yesterday.

The project will support nine Master’s and one PhD courses for young civil servants in Japanese universities. Candidates for the courses will be selected in September in agricultural and rural development; industrial foundation development; infrastructure development for sustainable economic growth; and countermeasures for climate change and disaster risk management. The Royal Civil Service Commission has identified four key areas for the scholarship courses.

The project provides full scholarship with the objective to support human resource development and to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.

“The Government of Japan has been generously supporting Bhutan in many different areas, such as agriculture, telecommunications, rural electrification, construction of bridges, building of schools, providing fire engines, police patrol cars, compactor trucks, ambulances, and medical equipment and farm machinery,” a press release from the foreign ministry stated.

“The Royal Government of Bhutan also deeply appreciates the recent support received from the Government of Japan to fight against the spread of Covid-19,” it stated.

This is the fourth exchange of notes signed for the project. The first one was signed in Thimphu in 2018 coinciding with the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono to Bhutan. Since then 10 government officials from various agencies are undergoing Master’s and PhD courses in Japan.

“Like all the other projects supported by the Government of Japan till date, this project too will strengthen the excellent bonds of friendship, understanding, and cooperation that exist between Bhutan and Japan,” the press release stated.

Ambassador V Namgyel conveyed the deep appreciation of the government and People of Bhutan to the Government and People of Japan for their steadfast and generous support to Bhutan’s socio-economic development for many years, and for their assurances of continued support in the years ahead.

Staff Reporter 

Edited by Tshering Palden

Advertisement