TOKYO, March 6 (Bernama) -- Japan has pledged 2.95 billion yen (over US$30 million) to help Laos in its efforts to preserve its forest, combat climate change as well as the development of clean energy and other enviromental issues, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
Japan's prime minister Yukio Hatoyama made the pledge at a meeting with visiting Lao President Choummaly Sayasone Thursday where they also agreed to promote bilateral economic ties, with Japan committing to expanding its official development assistance (ODA).
Hatoyama said that Japan attached importance to supporting the development of the Mekong region including Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The Japanese prime ministe stressed on Lao efforts on forest preservation, saying the grant aid will be made under the "Hatoyama Initiative", under which Japan will provide financial and technical assistance to help developing countries combat climate change.
Sayasone who expressed his appreciation for Japanese support said that his country wanted to work with Japan in improving the investment climate to create favourable conditions for private Japanese companies to invest in Laos.
