On September 1st and 2nd, 2016, Mr. Hajime Kitaoka,  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan, attended three handover ceremonies in Kuhistoni Mastchoh District, Devashtich District and Panjakent City of Sughd region. The projects were funded in the total amount of USD 301,163 through the framework of Japans Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The objectives of these projects included provision of heavy machinery, construction of womens center, and construction of new school building.
The handover ceremony for the Project for Provision of Heavy Machinery for Improvement of Infrastructure in Kuhistoni Mastchoh District took place on September 1st. The grant in the amount ofUSD97, 624 was provided to the Local Government of Kuhistoni Mastchoh District in order to purchase heavy machinery to be used for cleaning of roads, maintaining irrigation canals and reinforcing riverbanks. The new machinery will ensure safer and improved environment for the residents of the area with better-maintained roads and irrigation canals.
On the following day, September 2nd, Ambassador Kitaoka attended a ceremony for the completion of The Project for the Construction of Womens Center in Panjakent District. Public Organization Zanoni Sharq received USD100,340 in order to build a womens center that provide social, legal, and psychological assistance for women and children who are prone to violence and in need. The new center will also provide the target groups with vocational training as well as computer and language classes.
On the same day, a handover ceremony for The Project for the Construction of a New School Building for School No.15 in Uguk Village, Ismoili Somoni Jamoat, Devashtich District was held in Devastich District. The grant in the amount of USD103, 199 was provided to the Local Government of Devashtich District for the construction of a new building for the school No. 15. The new building consists of 8 classrooms as well as 1 teacher and 1 director’s rooms. With the completion of the project, the students can now study in a more comfortable and safer condition.
During the handover ceremonies, Ambassador Kitaoka stated that GGP projects play a considerable role in making positive impacts for the people of Tajikistan on the grassroots level. In addition, he expressed that these projects contribute to the friendship and further expansion of bilateral relationship between the Republic of Tajikistan and Japan. The Chairmen of each corresponding district expressed gratitude for Japans support that contributed to the development of the region.
The Government of Japan is dedicated to continuing its support for creating a better society for all people and committed to working together with the people of Tajikistan.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) is a scheme within Japans Official Development Assistance. GGP in particular implements grassroots-level projects in various sectors throughout the Republic of Tajikistan. Recipients of GGP grants include local governments, educational and medical institutions, and NGOs. As of today, GGP has supported 352 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan, for which US$ 28.5 million has been allocated since 1996.