Kenya: The Managing Director of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) – Captain William Ruto reiterated the commitment to authority to strengthen its partnership with the Japanese government.
The KPA Managing Director made the remarks while meeting Commander Keiko Kawashima who is the Japanese defence attache to Kenya.
Reportedly, Captain Ruto commended the continuous support that the KPA receives from Japan. It stressed the importance of the investment in the expansion of port infrastructure as a factor that improves operational efficiency.
KPA MD Ruto also stated that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an important funding agency for most of the important infrastructure projects at the Port of Mombasa. It also included the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones and others.
Commander Kawashima on her part expressed same sentiments and said that the two nations enjoy bilateral cooperation.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency also known as JICA is a governmental agency that delivers the bulk of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan.
JICA is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries and promoting international cooperation.
According to the OECD, the official development assistance (ODA) of Japan increased in 2022 due to an increase in its bilateral lending that included support to Ukraine.
ODA represented 0.39% of gross national income (GNI). The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee published a peer review of Japan’s development cooperation in October 2020.
JICA was led by the former President of the International University of Japan – Shinichi Kitaoka from 2015 to 2022. As later, the presidency was assumed by Professor Akihiko Tanaka on April 01, 2022.
It was formed in 2003 as a result of a comprehensive overhaul of Japan’s ODA. It is now one of the largest bilateral development organizations in the world with a network of 97 overseas offices.
The projects is led in more than 150 countries and is available for financial resources of approximately 1 trillion yen.
JICA is responsible for administering grant aid of Japan that provides technical cooperation and concessional loans to develop countries, strengthen collaboration with international institutions and contribute to global development strategies.