The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant assistance of Rs.588,436,000 to the Government of Nepal for the project of Improvement of Short Wave and Medium Wave Radio Broadcasting Stations.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Tsutomu Hiraoka, and Vidyadhar Mallik, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, signed and exchanged memorandum of understanding to this effect Wednesday.

A press release issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu said, “The grant being extended to the Government of Nepal is intended to procure the products and services necessary for the improvement of radio transmission stations,” adding, “The radio broadcasting stations have been facing an acute shortage of equipment and spare-parts for maintaining existing transmission services. Reconstruction of damaged station buildings and renovation of existing buildings are equally important in order that the stations may cover and extend the present covering areas.”

Speaking at the programme, Japanese envoy Hiraoka expressed his sincere hope that this project will prove to be yet another milestone in strengthening the existing friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.