The Japanese ambassador to Rwanda, Kunio Hatanaka, has commended that way the government utilises the aid it receives from the Asian country.

Hatanaka made the remarks yesterday, at the 8th annual policy dialogue which, among others, reviews the cooperation between the two countries and how well Rwanda uses Japanese aid.

"I am quite satisfied with what I have observed with the implementation of projects, and the dialogue between the two countries, concerning our economic cooperation,” He said.

Japan’s annual aid to Rwanda is approximated to be US$30m, in addition to the technical assistance offered in several development projects.

The grants finance development projects, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The projects include; infrastructure like roads and bridges, improvement of water supply and sanitation, and promotion of the education and agriculture sectors.

The ambassador disclosed that his government is considering expanding the aid, to include direct budget financing because of Rwanda’s exemplary performance towards the achievement of the millennium development goals.

Hatanaka thanked Rwandans’ financial assistance to Japan when the latter was simultaneously hit by a Tsunami and an earthquake which claimed the lives of thousands of its citizens.

Mary Baine, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that government has a lot to learn from Japan, including using the limited available resources to achieve notable development.

She also thanked Japanese support to the ongoing projects.

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