Japanese give 55,000 US dollars for irrigation in Bekaa

The Japanese government on July 14 provided a 55,000 US dollar grant for project in Meshayteh, a village of 400 northwest of Baalbek.

The town's agricultural cooperative association, represented by its president Hanna Khoury, signed the agreement at the Japanese embassy in Baabda.

The association, which was formed earlier this year, had approached the Japanese government after they had dug a well, but found that they lacked the funds necessary for generators, pumps, and pipeline to complete the project.

Japan usually limits its development funding to concessionaire loans with other governments, but its grassroots grant program is designed to provide assistance to non-governmental organizations and civic groups.

The Japanese Ambassador in Lebanon Yasuji Ishigaki expressed his hope that the funds would help "alleviate the hardship of people in the region and enhance their welfare."