KABUL, August 31 (Online): Japan has renewed its commitment to the ongoing reconstruction of Afghanistan.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Japanese ambassador to Kabul Mr. Norihiro Okuda said his country would continue to play its active role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
"Over the last three and half years, the international community has done a lot to fulfill their pledges made during the Tokyo and Bonn conferences; however, we have to continue our commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. As Afghan people are looking forward towards the landmark legislative elections, I believe the international community should continue its cooperation with Afghanistan. The world community has done a good job but it is not enough and they have to continue their support even after the polls", he said.
He said Japan has spent about $900 million during the last four years on the basis of our commitment which was announced both in Tokyo and Donors Conference held in Berlin last year. As far as Afghanistan's reconstruction is concerned, we have concentrated on primary healthcare and primary education besides other projects. In the education sector, we have built over 300 primary and middle schools while we are closely working with the Afghan Health Ministry to reduce the child mortality rate. Japan is also playing vital role in eradication of polio and other curable disease.
"Not only Japan but other donors should do more in the institution-building in Afghanistan. We have to work together with the Afghan government to establish effective administration systems at the national and provincial level. The task not only involves financial assistance but skilled human resources to achieve the goal. Unless we do that, it is very difficult for Afghanistan to stand on its own feet", he said.
He said Japan has provided $8 million for the parliamentary elections. Regarding the security, we don't have any Japanese forces here; neither in the ISAF nor in coalition forces. Therefore, we are indirectly supporting the government to ensure security. In this regard our support for DDR is an important part of the international assistance for strengthening security in Afghanistan.
In response to a question whether Japan has any plan to establish industries and factories in Afghanistan the Japanese envoy said, "At the moment, we don't have a concrete programme to establish factories in Afghanistan. However, after visible improvement in the security situation, Japan would encourage its investors and entrepreneurs to invest in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has great potential for private investment especially its agriculture sector can enable the country to earn huge foreign currency by exporting agriculture produce. I am confident the foreign investors would come into Afghanistan as soon as the security situation improves."
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