QFF Chairman:"The Fund Contributed to Strengthening Qatar-Japan Ties"

Tokyo, May 31 (QNA) - Qatar's Ambassador to Japan and Chairman of Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF), HE Yousef Mohammed Bilal, stressed that the wise decision of the Qatari leadership to establish a fund to support those affected in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster and floods that hit northern Japan in 2011, has received a wide acclaim at all official, popular and media levels in Japan, contributing to further enhancing the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Bilal said that the State of Qatar has proved that it is one of the closest Friends of Japan, through its human stances adopted by our wise leadership's decision to respond to the needs of our Japanese friends in the wake of the earthquake disaster that hit regions of northeastern Japan in March 2011, and the announcement of an Emiri donation of US 100 million to support the victims of the disaster. QFF, which I have the honor to chair, is a symbol of our strong relations with our Japanese friends and our firm commitment to provide emergency relief and other forms of aid to the victims at the affected areas, through the implementation of rehabilitation and reconstruction projects, he explained. The US 100 million Fund was launched at the initiative of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, and sponsored at present by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al -Thani, and directly supervised by the Foreign Minister, HE Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah. The Qatari diplomat highly appreciated the strong and friendly bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and Japan since their establishment in 1972, noting that they are characterized by a fruitful cooperation in the economic field, especially in the energy sector, as Japan is a major importer of Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG). In this context, HE Bilal said the strong political will and interest by both sides have contributed to the strengthening and expanding bilateral relations to become a multi-faceted and comprehensive partnership covering all areas. The Fund supports projects that meet the urgent and critical needs of the largest number of beneficiaries , focusing on the three key priority areas, namely: children's education, fisheries and health care in the three affected prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate, he said. QFF implements a total of ten projects, most of which have been completed, while work in the remaining projects is underway and are expected to be completed by the end of this year, he said, expressing pride over the achievements and vital projects that brought smiles and hope to the hearts of the victims. These projects have already contributed to alleviating the suffering of many of the victims and improving the lives of the local population, through the creation of jobs and provision of a favorable environment, he went on saying. HE Qatar's Ambassador in Tokyo Yousef Mohamed Bilal, pointed to the projects which are expected to be completed by the end of 2014 saying "The Elem Project in the cities of Iwaki and Sendai is an experience-based educational program, in partnership with Junior Achievement, in which visiting groups of school students undertake life lessons and gain skills on designing their future in simulated real city environments. Two new facilities will help foster work-readiness and financial literacy. He pointed to the project (Qatar Science Campus) which is expected to be open in July 2014, and is a project to renovate a section of the Graduate School of Engineering at Tohoku University and create an interactive learning-centre for visiting schoolchildren as well as to educate children and nurture much needed, next-generation engineers and researchers in the Tohoku region. Qatar Sports Park in Shirakawa city will provide new sporting facilities to help reinvigorate the city and wellbeing of the surrounding communities, he said. The (Intilaq: Tohoku Innovators Hub) is one of the projects which will help in the establishment of small businesses said HE the Ambassador explaining that it is a project that forms part of a globally connected ecosystem of start-up communities that foster entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. The new hub in Sendai will provide multiple programs for entrepreneurs to help them succeed and create local businesses. Intilaq will offer guidance, instruction and hope, and share insights and skills that will lead to sustainable economic growth in the region and connect Tohoku with like-minded thinkers in Japan and around the world. HE Yousef Mohamed Bilal said that (Al-Furdha) is one on projects completed in March 2014, explaining that it includes the construction of a fish storage facility in Karakuwa-cho, Kesennuma, providing assistance to local fisherman, affected by the Tsunami, and supporting long-term regeneration of the town and surrounding areas. On the Agricultural projects supported by QFF, HE the Ambassador said that the project (Eco Food) aims to strengthen family bonds by providing vegetable growing workshops for local residents living in temporary accommodation, and then supporting them in the sale of the resulting produce. It also provides residential communities with wooden vegetable planters and solar power generation kits. The Project (Maskar) is a 7,760 square meter multifunctional fish processing facility which was open in October 2012 and now fully operational for the benefit of over 7500 people, Ambassador Bilal said, adding that Maskar includes sorting, refrigeration, and storage facilities. This state-of-the-art plant created more than 1,000 jobs and was recently awarded the 2013 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. He explained that the QFF, in partnership with the Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR-J) has launched the project (Building a Healthy Community) in Tohoku. The project is reaching out to more than 200,000 people. The project has provided indoor and outdoor playground equipment to facilities for children with disabilities in many locations throughout the affected prefectures. He pointed that in association with Kamaishi Hikari Foods Company, (Revitalizing the Fishery Industry) project will help to regenerate the fishery industry in Kamaishi City with a facility that uses advanced freezing technology for seafood products, and by developing a nationwide network of sales channels. Concluding his speech to (QNA) HE Ambassador Bilal said that the project (Yukinko: Fun in the Snow Camp) was QFF's first project. This reached out to families from Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, adding that it brought happiness to 1,400 children who had experienced hardship and restriction from playing outdoors as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident. (END)