Through this contract, the Government of Japan will provide EUR 62,500 to Maliq Municipality for the provision of one skid-steer loader, which will strengthen the management and maintenance of the municipality’s community roads, facilitate mobility and connectivity in urban and rural areas, and improve the safety of its residents thereby contributing to strengthening the municipality’s natural disaster response capacity.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Kato reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting the people of Albania from a human security perspective and the importance of implementing socio-economic development projects that will lead to the improvement of living conditions in rural areas. She wished the Municipality, where more than 85% of the population lives in rural areas, that the provision of a skid-steer loader will ensure better access to administrative services, including health care and education, and also provide a safer living environment for all residents of the Municipality. She also hoped that through this project the relations between Japan and Maliq Municipality as well as Albania would be further strengthened. On the other hand, Mayor of Maliq, Mr. Topçiu stated the importance of the project for the development and improvement of the community, and in particular its impact on the rural areas. He also expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan and his commitment to future cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Albania.

Japan’s ODA (Official Development Assistance) in Albania has been mainly focused on Environment and Balanced Development in the recent years. GGP is provided to local governments, educational / medical institutions, and NGOs in addressing development needs in the areas such

as education, health, water management and disaster prevention since 1998.

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