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THE 7TH ROUND TABLE MEETING FOR THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
Thimphu, November 7-8, 2000
Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Hirabayashi,
Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bhutan
7 November, 2000
Mr. Chairman,
Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba,
Honourble Ministers of the Royal Government of Bhutan,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Japanese delegation, first of all, I would like to express our
deep gratitude for the Royal Government of Bhutan who extends hospitality and
all the arrangements to host this Round Table Meeting for the first time here in
Thimphu. I would also like to thank UNDP who had all made considerable
contribution to hold this meeting.
1. General remarks
(1) Bhutans Development programmes
Japan positively appreciates Bhutans achievement of self-sustaining
development, development of human resources, hydroelectric power development
and improvement of motor roads under the 8th Five-Year Plan which started in
1997. It is also admired that, as mentioned in the report, Bhutan made steady
economic growth of 5 - 6 % during three years since the commencement of the
Plan. I wish to note that Bhutan started an Internet service last year.
The concept of Bhutan’s development objective, which is Gross National
Happiness (GNH), which was launched by His Majesty the King, is aimed to
improve quality of peoples life while maintaining their traditional values and
unique culture. We appreciate that Bhutan also made efforts for
decentralization for over 20 years under the leadersb7i~ of His Majesty the King
and has established a system in which local people can participate in making
and implementing development plan.
(2) Refugee problem
While Bhutan is developing in all aspects of its society, one issue has given
much headache to the Government of Bhutan for about 10 Years. We appreciate
that the Royal Government of Bhutan keeps us informed about the situation and
progress of the refugee problem. Japan sincerely hope that agreement be reached
between the Government of Bhutan and the Government of Nepal in cooperation
with UNHCR for a fair and equitable solution of the problem bearing in mind the
political, economic and social implications of the problem on Bhutan.
2. Japan’s Economic Assistance to Bhutan
(1) General policy
The Government of Japan announced the Medium-Term Policy on Official
Development Assistance (ODA) in August, 1999, which identifies Japan’s overall
priority issues and sectors with a five-year time frame in mind. In the Medium-
Term Policy, Japan puts priority on support for (a) poverty alleviation
programmes and social development, (b) economic and social infrastructure, (c)
human resources development and intellectual support, (d) responding global
issues.
Japan has been the top ODA (official development assistance) providing
country globally since 19917 and it wants to continue to lead ODA efforts vis-a-
vis developing countries. Japan has been experiencing fiscal and economic
difficulties since almost ten years and there have also been major changes in the
international environment for aid. And yet, Japan is determined to continue to
shoulder the important responsibilities of contributing to sustainable social and
economic development in developing countries. Japan is very proud to have been
one of the largest donors to Bhutan for many years.
Japan feels strong fraternity and friendship with Bhutan. Its people, society,
religion and nature have so much commonality with my country. Although
Bhutan is a small partner in terms of the big Japanese ODA programme around
the world, Japan’s determination to be strongly involved in Bhutan’s nation
building and human resource development is well time-tested and lasting.
(2) Basic policy and projects to assist
In view of Bhutan’s economic and social needs, Japan has mainly extended
Grant Aid and Technical Assistance, especially in (a) agriculture sector and (b)
infrastructure sector including roads and telecommunication. As the agriculture
sector plays a key role in Bhutanese economy and people’s life, the Grant Aid for
Increase of Food Production, so called KR II Programme, has been extended for
the last several years for the purpose of achieving moie self-sufficiency of food.
As mentioned above, since Bhutan is implementing planned projects toward
balanced regional development, human resource development and socio-
economic infrastructure including hydroelectric power production and expansion
of motor road system under the 8th Five-Year Plan, Japan will effectively support
to answer the needs of Bhutan.
We highly appreciate the commitment of the Bhutanese government to
transparency and accountability in the management of aid projects. With this in
mind, Japan is taking or will take necessary procedures to assist following projects as this
fiscal year s commitment;
(a) Grant Aid for Increase of Food Production for this fiscal year
(b) Grant Aid for Improvement of Maternal and Child Health and Essential
Equipment to various locations in Bhutan.
(c) F/S for Punachanchu Hydropower project
(Final report to be submitted in March 2001.)
(d) Technical assistance by Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
and receiving trainees from Bhutan
In addition to the above-mentioned projects, the Japanese government is
examining the feasibility of several new projects.
Among many cooperation projects, Japan is very proud of JOCV. We are happy
to note that Japanese volunteers have been warmly welcomed and their
contribution highly appreciated. The Japanese and the Bhutanese are so close to
each other in their physical appearances and the way of thinking, once in Go and
Kira, nobody can tell who is Bhutanese and who is Japanese.
(3) Assurance of safety for the experts and volunteers
We know that Bhutan is faced with security problems in the south and south
eastern border areas with India, caused by unwelcome infiltration by the
insurgent groups of north eastern states of India. We are hopeful that, through
cooperation and coordination of action with the Indian government, the
Bhutanese government will be able to regain stability and tranquility to these
areas. For the time being, in spite of our willingness, Japans assistance
programmes cannot be implemented in such areas. We have been repeatedly
assured by the Bhutanese government to deal with this situation expeditiously.
We also hope that those involved in aid works will continue to get necessary
attention and protection by the government of Bhutan.
3. Conclusion
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to point out that the Japanese economic cooperation to Bhutan
has started even before the establishment of the diplomatic relationship, when
Japan sent an agriculture expert, late Dasho Nishioka, for the purpose of
cooperation in agricultural sector. Dasho Nishioka has revolutionalized Bhutan’s
agriculture. His name is dear to every Bhutanese as the symbol of Japan’s
cooperation to Bhutan. Since the years of Dasho Nishioka, Japan has continued
to support Bhutan’ s efforts to achieve its goal of nation-building. Japan highly
appreciates the political reform of Bhutan in 1998, which introduced a new
system of governance, including the rotation of the Chairmanship of the Council
of Ministers and a vote of confidence that the Ministers have to face in order to
qualify for re-election. Japan also appreciates its efforts and progress in the
implementation of development projects and wishes to further promote mutual
cooperation and coordination in various fields.
Distinguished delegates,
Bhutan has made a remarkable progress in socio-economic development,
especially so as its development goes in tandem with the preservation of its
cultural, spiritual and ethnic identity. This remarkable progress has been made
possible by the enlightened and dynamic guidance and leadership by His Majesty
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the conscientious efforts of the Government
and the people of Bhutan. The Bhutanese Royal Family and the Japanese
Imperial Family are very close in their mutual respect and affinity and provide us
with not only the sources of inspiration for our cooperation, but also a guarantee
of the success of our cooperative interaction.
To conclude my statement, I would like to urge all of you that we join our
hands and resources of further development of this splendid nation.
Thank you.
(End)
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