RAMALLAH, February 9, 2012 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Authority and Japan Thursday signed two agreements in which Japan will grant the PA $ 197,379 for an electric project in Hebron and for a school project in Bethlehem, according to a statement by Japan representative office to PA.

Representatives of local bodies in Hebron and Bethlehem along with representatives of the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development signed the agreement at the representative office of Japan in Ramallah with the representative of Japan to the PA, Naofumi Hashimoto.

The grant aid will support an electric project in Hebron with an amount of $85,999 in addition to a school project in Bethlehem with an amount of 111,380 to build four extra class rooms, a bathroom, and several other rooms for the school’s second floor.

Hashimoto in his speech expressed that the Japanese Government is determined to continue its support to Palestinian people from human security perspective as well as from its political stands for their efforts to establish a viable independent Palestinian state and to develop capacities of local institutions in providing basic daily services to people, said the release.

It added that this grant is part of Japan’s total assistance to the Palestinians since 1993 amounting about $1.21 billion.

T.R./F.R.