P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Bilateral ties between Macedonia and Japan are friendly characterised by mutual understanding however there is an unused potential for further enhancement of cooperation in all spheres, especially in the economy, this was assessed at the meeting between PM Nikola Gruevski, Deputy PM and FinMin Zoran Stavreski and Sadako Ogata, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Gruevski thanked for previous technical assistance granted through agency's programmes, which are being implemented in Macedonia for 10 years, as project for medical equipment and Water Utilization Improvement Project in Zletovica River Basin. He also mentioned new projects for 2012 and 2013 as solid waste management project, tourism promotion trainings and grant in the sphere of culture in support to Ohrid Cultural Summer, emphasising that there is ample room for mutually enriching the cooperation.

Gruevski also expressed Macedonia's preparedness for further mutual consultation in reviewing opportunities for starting new infrastructure projects that will contribute in alleviate of climate change and environment protection through using favourable conditions of financing by Japanese official development programme for which Macedonia meets qualification requirements. He also informed Ogata that Macedonia is ready to propose two projects - modernisation of Thermal Power Plant Bitola and modernisation and construction of collector system around Ohrid Lake. The value of two projects is over EUR 100 million and concrete steps will be defined in the following period for operationalisation of the projects.

Moreover, Gruevski informed Ogata about the meeting with Japanese PM Noda and two organised business forums  in Tokyo and Osaka where opportunities and comparative advantages of Macedonian economy are presented as well as opportunity of Japanese businessmen to use Macedonia as gate to conduct their businesses in European frameworks.

Government delegation leaves for Osaka to take part Friday at second business forum organised in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization.