[2019-03-08] Japan donates construction materials to São Tomé and Príncipe

Source: Macauhub

The government of Japan has delivered 10 containers of construction materials worth an estimated US$1.5 million to support the São Tomé and Príncipe archipelago’s private sector, the ambassador of Japan, said in São Tomé.

Ambassador Masaaki Sato, delivering the containers in the presence of the São Tomé Minister of Trade and Industry, Maria da Graça Lavres, said they contained a variety of iron for civil construction and related accessories, solar panels and electrical equipment, among others materials.

The diplomat also said that the materials were due to be sent to some São Tomé companies in the form of credit, and after the sale the value obtained will be deposited in a fund for later investment in socio-economic projects, such as the construction of rural roads, schools, health posts and water supply focused on improving the living conditions of the population.

This project, in which the embassy was supported by the São Tomé and Príncipe Chamber of Commerce and Services, mainly in the selection of companies that would benefit from the materials, also had the contribution of the United Nations representation in São Tomé and Príncipe, said the Japanese ambassador.

This donation comes 48 hours after Japan donated 30 rice containers to São Tomé and Príncipe as part of a total of 157 containers estimated at about US$2.6 million planned for this year and in a week in which the two countries signed a new agreement valued at US$1.6 million to support the fisheries and food security sector.