Kiribati port improvement project completed

The Japanese government

funded “Project for Improvement of Betio Port” in Kiribati has been completed.

Japan’s Ambassador, Hisato Murayama,

handed over the new port facilities to the government of Kiribati mid-May.

Betio Port plays a key role as the centre for international and domestic sea transport in Kiribati. The new port has increased cargo-handling efficiency, better administrative capacity, safer night navigation aids and increased safety and convenience for ships and passengers.

It is expected the new port will provide a boost for economic activity in Kiribati.

The new port facilities are likely to result in increased exports of copra and other local produce, increased foreign trade, generation of employment and increased income.

The government of Japan provided a grant of 2,349 million yens (US$22 million) over a period of four years for the project.

Capital development works included:

construction of a new wharf and deepening of the basin; widening of the approach channel: development of an access road; and construction of a

container yard, passenger terminal and administration office.

Cargo handling equipment and navigational aid such as lanterns and radar reflectors were also provided under the

Japanese government

grant.

Murayama said

that the new port would bring Kiribati closer to world trading markets.

He added that the increased economic activity resulting from the better port facilities would contribute towards promoting sustainable economic development in Kiribati.

Murayama reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue working jointly with the government of Kiribati in the areas of environment protection,

development of personnel and infrastructure and strengthening of cooperative relations in the areas of trade and investment. ■

The new port facilities, a far way from this beach tip, are likely to result in increased exports of copra and other local produce, increased foreign trade, generation of employment and increased income.