Donation agreements between the Government of Japan and the public utility company “Jedinstvo” from Bojnik, the elementary school “Vitko i Sveta” from Gadžino Han and the public utility company “Komunalac” from Trgovište were signed in the Government of Serbia, and three donations for the basic needs of the population, total value of 165,700 euros, will be used to improve communal activities, education and environmental protection.
“This project that we are implementing with the Government of Japan is something that makes a significant contribution to bring those local governments from the south of Serbia closer to the north and to Belgrade, Novi Sad and other more developed areas of our country. In the last 20 years, the government of Japan has decided through such projects and programs 500 million euros for various users in our country,” stated State Secretary Dragan Stevanović in front of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, adding that only three months ago, similar contracts were signed with the municipalities of Crna Trava and Medveđa.
So far, 247 projects have been implemented, mainly in the fields of education, health, environment and social protection. About 15 million euros were donated for them alone.
“It is only a small part of the long-term humanitarian aid of the Japanese government to Serbia. Since 1999, Japan has directly supported projects implemented by local governments, schools, health institutions and non-governmental organizations,” pointed out Japanese Ambassador Katsumata Takahika.
According to his words, the contract signed with the Public Utility Company “Jedinstvo” from Bojnik will enable the purchase of a crawler mini excavator for road maintenance in that territory.
58,200 euros were donated to the elementary school “Vitko i Sveta”, and the money will be spent on new dining room furniture, kitchen appliances, as well as a new delivery vehicle, which will enable better quality of school meals and their adequate delivery.
The third donation agreement, which was signed with the Public Utility Company in Trgovište, will provide garbage containers, which will significantly improve environmental protection, which is recognized by the Government of Japan as one of the most important areas for development and support.
“We believe that reducing the economic gap between large cities and other parts of the country is very important for the healthy development of Serbia. Therefore, the Japanese government will continue to provide assistance at the local level for the benefit of all citizens of Serbia, emphasizing rural municipalities,” Ambassador Takahika said.
Photo: Vlada Srbije/ srbija.gov.rs