Kichevo, 11 September 2023 (Embassy of Japan/MIA) - Ambassador of Japan Otsuka Kazuya attended Monday the handover ceremony of the successfully completed GGP project in the Municipality of Kichevo. This project financed a reconstruction of primary school “Dr. Vladimir Polezhinoski” in Kichevo. With the amount of EUR 80,593 the doors and windows in the school were changed and toilets were renovated. As a result, the learning environment in this elementary school was improved significantly.

In his speech, Ambassador Otsuka stressed: “We believe that investment in education is an investment in the future. And Japan is strongly committed to support economic and social development of North Macedonia, which is important to be fully integrated to EU.”

The ceremony was opened by Kichevo Mayor Fatmir Dehari, who welcomed the guests and expressed the gratitude of the municipality to the Japanese people. School principal Goran Karafiloski, after presenting the results of the reconstruction to the guests, lead them to the main hall where they all enjoyed the performance the students prepared for this occasion.

Through the GGP program Japan has financed renovation projects and provision of equipment for more than 75 schools and kindergartens, 67 health care institutions and has provided 31 maintenance and waste management vehicles for 52 municipalities.

Overall, Japan has supported North Macedonia in various sectors such as infrastructure development, improvement of healthcare, education, environment, culture, natural disasters, refugee crisis as well as emergency aid with a total amount of over 8.9 million euros and also other non-financial support.

Photo: Embassy of Japan