RAMALLAH, November 23, 2011 (WAFA) - Deputy Minister of local governance Mazen Ghoneim Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement of $8 million with the Japanese government to conduct research to identify the solid waste sector needs, according to a press release by the ministry.

It said, the agreement was signed under the auspices of Minister of Local Government, Khaled Qawasmi, at the ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah, with a Japanese delegation of experts in solid waste management and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Qawasmi thanked the Japanese government for the support it provides to the Palestinian authority in general and  the ministry of local governance in particular, hoping for more cooperation to develop this important sector and the capacity of its workers.

On his part, chief of operation for solid waste in JICA, Mitsio Yoshida praised the joint cooperation between the Japanese government and the Palestinian authority, presenting an overview of past cooperation in this field that guarantees the protection of the environment and the proper disposal of waste.  

In addition, he presented the preparation of new projects regarding developing of relay stations and equipping it with the necessary machines.

To be noted, the Japanese government funds the solid waste sector in the West Bank city of Jericho and the Jordon Valley.

T.R./F.R.