Kathmandu, June 25: Ex-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, inaugurating the 10th anniversary of the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) Nepal Alumni Society here today, said Japan, which is one of Nepal’s biggest donors, has significantly contributed to various sectors including health, education, transport and human resources sectors.

He also stressed the need to promote the friendly relations existing between the two countries at people’s level also.

On the occasion, Mr Deuba presented letters of commendation to the Japanese Embassy, Hotel Association Nepal and Garments Association Nepal for their significant contribution to the AOTS Alumni.

Japanese charge d’Affaires K. Yotsuya gave assurance that Japanese assistance in economic and social development of Nepal will further increase in the future.

He also presented Yamamoto award to Madhusudan Bhattarai, Amira Dali and Asta Bahadur Shakya for their important contribution to the Alumni Association.

AOTS Japan president Kanichi Iito said aots established in 1959 with the objective of providing technical assistance for development and industrialization in development countries, has so far provided training to about 79,000 people from 150 countries including Nepal.

Society founder president Purushottam Manandhar, president Dinesh Chapagain, general secretary Prakash Suwal and vice president Amira Dali highlighted the activities of the Alumni Society.