ID :
130464
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 22:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/130464
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Ministry seeks ODA charter revision to enhance aid efficiency
TOKYO, June 29 Kyodo -
The Foreign Ministry called Tuesday for the revision of Japan's official
development assistance charter, which stipulates the nation's basic aid policy,
to enhance efficiency of Japanese aid, which has been reduced for the 11th
straight year due to a tight fiscal situation in the country.
A ministry report to review ODA policy said assistance should be given to such
priority areas as poverty reduction, peace-building efforts and the promotion
of sustainable growth, including projects aimed at tackling climate change, as
peace and prosperity in the world also serve Japan's national interests.
The document, compiled by a ministry task force with advice from
nongovernmental aid organizations and business representatives, also seeks
increased funds provided by the private sector and through the so-called
''innovative financing mechanisms'' such as a taxation system for airline
ticket purchases adopted by France and South Korea.
The Japanese ODA charter was last revised in August 2003. A ministry official
said it would take about a year for the government to amend it.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said at a press conference, ''We conducted the
review to win more public support for foreign aid. To do so, we have to
strategically and efficiently implement aid projects.''
Okada said the government should consider providing dollar-denominated loans
instead of yen-denominated ones to avert exchange risks, and take a coordinated
approach to offer aid under a grand scheme, rather than responding to recipient
nations' requests for individual projects, to enhance efficiency.
The report also called for boosting Japan's aid in overseas infrastructure
building projects that would also contribute to spurring Japanese economic
growth through technology exports, and providing yen loans to middle-income
countries, to which Tokyo mainly offers technical assistance at present.
Japan, a former No. 1 world donor, has tumbled to fifth place in terms of ODA
disbursements and has remained at that rank in recent years, while China is
emerging as a major aid provider.
==Kyodo
The Foreign Ministry called Tuesday for the revision of Japan's official
development assistance charter, which stipulates the nation's basic aid policy,
to enhance efficiency of Japanese aid, which has been reduced for the 11th
straight year due to a tight fiscal situation in the country.
A ministry report to review ODA policy said assistance should be given to such
priority areas as poverty reduction, peace-building efforts and the promotion
of sustainable growth, including projects aimed at tackling climate change, as
peace and prosperity in the world also serve Japan's national interests.
The document, compiled by a ministry task force with advice from
nongovernmental aid organizations and business representatives, also seeks
increased funds provided by the private sector and through the so-called
''innovative financing mechanisms'' such as a taxation system for airline
ticket purchases adopted by France and South Korea.
The Japanese ODA charter was last revised in August 2003. A ministry official
said it would take about a year for the government to amend it.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said at a press conference, ''We conducted the
review to win more public support for foreign aid. To do so, we have to
strategically and efficiently implement aid projects.''
Okada said the government should consider providing dollar-denominated loans
instead of yen-denominated ones to avert exchange risks, and take a coordinated
approach to offer aid under a grand scheme, rather than responding to recipient
nations' requests for individual projects, to enhance efficiency.
The report also called for boosting Japan's aid in overseas infrastructure
building projects that would also contribute to spurring Japanese economic
growth through technology exports, and providing yen loans to middle-income
countries, to which Tokyo mainly offers technical assistance at present.
Japan, a former No. 1 world donor, has tumbled to fifth place in terms of ODA
disbursements and has remained at that rank in recent years, while China is
emerging as a major aid provider.
==Kyodo
