Japan Grants Papua Rp7 Billion for Small Business Development

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan has committed to disburse Rp7 billion in funds for small business development in Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province. The agreement of the grant funds with the Japanese non-governmental organizations was signed between the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi, and representatives of the project organizers at the Japanese Embassy office in Jakarta on May 2.

The funded projects include the introduction, dissemination, and training of small farmers and fishery entrepreneurs in the use of simple equipment to increase production, processing, and sales to improve their livelihoods.

The projects will be led by a Japanese NGO called General Incorporated Association Kopernik Japan and will take place in Sabeya Village, Tablasupa Village, Kendate Village in Jayapura Regency and Biak Numfor Regency (Pai Island and Manggwandi Island).

Papua Province is one of the provinces with the lowest average income in Indonesia. About 70 percent of the population are small-scale workers in primary industries, such as agriculture and fishing.

Therefore, these projects are expected to target small farmers and fishermen in Jayapura and Biak-Numfor Regencies by providing training on cocoa and marine products.

The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta said in a written statement that these projects aim to alleviate poverty by improving product quality and supporting the expansion of sales channels.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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