Japan to provide $ 3.7 million grant aid to Armenia for purchase of  medical equipment 

ArmInfo. On June 30, 2020, H.E.  Mr. Jun Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to Armenia and H.E. Mr. Atom  Janjughazyan, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia signed  the exchange of notes (E/N) for the Japan's Grant Aid, "The Economic  and Social Development Program".

As the press service of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of  Armenia reports, this E/N is for the Provision of Japanese Medical  Equipment to the Republic of Armenia. Through this Project, the  Government of Japan will provide four hundred million Japanese Yen  (approximately 3.7 million USD) for obtaining Japanese medical  equipment. 

This Project intends to assist Armenia in its fight against COVID-19  epidemic, through strengthening its mid- to long-term healthcare and  medical system. The latest generation of MRI system and other items  will considerably upgrade the current level of medical service in the  country, alleviating various health related issues and saving  peoples' lives.

As we are all aware, currently the whole world, including Armenia, is  fighting against serious epidemic of COVID-19. Japan, as a close and  friendly partner for Armenia, is willing to support the country to  attain well- balanced and sustainable economic growth. This should be  realized through improving various institutions, infrastructure and  developing human resources, in particular in the medical sphere. From  this point of view Japan has been supporting Armenia`s healthcare and  medical institutions in Yerevan as well as in the provinces. Apart  from such government-to- government Technical Assistance and Grant  Aid, Dr. Akira Ishiyama, a world-famous Japanese physician and  professor at UCLA, continues his yearly visit to this country to  offer his incomparable skills in cochlear implantation for Armenian  children.

This latest project embodies Japan's strong commitment to support  Armenia.  Our unique and strong bonds, which will see the 30th  anniversary since Armenia regained independence in 2 years, will yet  again testify to our shared universal values, as well as our  determination to cooperate ever closely to make this world a better  place for everybody.  Ambassador Yamada said, "On behalf of Japanese  Government, I would like to highlight the utmost importance and  timeliness of this Project, particularly in view of the current  situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia and the world. I sincerely  hope that the new equipment from Japan will contribute to  significantly upgrading capacity of healthcare and medical  institutions in the country, thus saving more lives and enhancing the  living standard of the Armenian people."

H.E. Mr. Arsen Torosyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of  Armenia noted, "Cooperation between Armenia and Japan in the field of  healthcare incorporates the best traditions. We highly value the  continuous assistance that the Government of Japan kindly rendered to  Armenia for many years to increase the healthcare capacity. During  the last 25 years, several important projects have been implemented  through the funding by the Japanese Government. Japanese high-tech  medical equipment, cars and other medical products have long been  well-known in our country.  

At present, when the world is facing a coronavirus epidemic and there  is a difficult struggle also in our country, we are once again  grateful for the Japanese Government's new offer to Armenia worth ?  400 million to obtain expensive medical equipment.

Convinced that any product provided by Japan will find the best and  most useful utilization in our field, I extend my sincere gratitude  to the people of Japan, the Government, all our Japanese partners and  friends for their every endeavor aimed at generous support to Armenia  in the fight against the pandemic and beyond".