RAMALLAH, June 6, 2011 (WAFA) – Japan Monday signed an agreement with the Palestinian Authority granting it $4.4 million for developing the agricultural sector.

Minister of Planning Ali Jarbawi and Minister of Agriculture Ismail Du'eik signed the agreement on behalf of the PA and Izumi Tanaka, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representative to the Palestinian Territory, signed it on behalf of his government.

The grant will go to support the objectives and activities of the ministry of agriculture and strengthen its capacity building as part of the PA’s national development plan for the next three years.

Since 2007, Japan has provided total assistance to the PA, including development projects, averaging to $1.1 billion, allocated to supporting many of the vital sectors, particularly with regard to agricultural, health, water and wastewater, and manufacturing, in addition for budget support and humanitarian relief projects.

Japanese funds support major reform and development programs in key ministries to help prepare the Palestinian Authority for statehood in line with the plan proposed in August 2009 by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

W.S./M.A.