Hiiraan Online

The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe has pledged $40 Million aid for Somalia, saying it was part of his country’s efforts to help the reconstruction of the war-weary country.

Mr. Abe made the announcement on Thursday evening at the end of a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud who has been on an official working trip to Japan for the past two days.

The meeting between both heads of states focused on the strengthening of the bilateral ties between the two nations and the role that Japanese government can play in the rebuilding of Somalia, as President Hassan briefed Mr. Shinzo Abe on the latest developments in the country.

“Japan will provide Somalia with $40 Million in aid which is intended to help finance more development projects in Somalia” the Japanese Prime Minister told a joint press conference with Somali President.

He said that the financial aid will be spent on specific sectors namely healthy services, police, job creation for the Somali youths, women and humanitarian projects for the vulnerable Somali people.

President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud for his part thanked Japanese government for the high profile reception it extended to his delegation and its commitment to continue supporting the Somali people.

“Since last year Japanese government carried out more projects in Somalia and now-- as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Japan will increase its assistance to Somalia” President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud told the joint press conference asking Japan to help his country in the fields of technology, fisheries and the reconstruction of the country.

President Hassan and his delegation were then invited to a dinner ceremony held at the home of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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