News Bulletin issued by JICA Saudi Arabia Office

Transcription

1 الوكال`ة الياباني`ة للتع`اون ال`دويل News Bulletin issued by JICA Saudi Arabia Office JAPAN Official Development Assistance 13th Issue - 1 Nov., 2009G Transitional Era of Saudi-Japanese Cooperation for Development لغ د اف ض ل للجمي ع For a better tomorrow for all JICA Saudi Arabia Office P.O. Box Riyadh Tel.: (01) Fax : (01) sa_oso_rep@jica.go.jp Website: Technical cooperation between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan launched in 1975 under the Saudi-Japanese Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement accomplish a long history full of various successful achievements and outcomes. The cooperation has been extended to various Saudi governmental bodies and sectors through different schemes for development, including training of Saudi human resources in Japan and in Saudi Arabia, dispatching Japanese experts and study teams to the Kingdom for technical transfer and guidance, implementation of joint projects and studies and provision of some equipment necessary for implementation of the projects. In this issue of JICA Newsletter, we will briefly figure out roughly the output of our Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation, which has been achieved so far besides informing about the Japanese government prospective of cooperation in Saudi Arabia and the forthcoming stage of JICA Office in the Kingdom. Ryuichi Tomizawa, Res. Rep., JICA KSA Office Now time has come for our Japanese technical cooperation implemented by JICA to be terminated, as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been graduated recently from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient list of OECD/DAC. In other words, our fully covered ODA to the Kingdom has to be stopped after finishing our ongoing projects, which is scheduled at the end of Until then, we are keeping on implementation of our activities and schemes in the Kingdom. The JICA Office in the Kingdom will be closed subsequently, but the Japanese government will keep on contribution to the development of the country and extending cooperation to the various Saudi sectors through other channels of cooperation. Japan will keep on inviting Saudi personnel for training in Japan through different channels of other Japanese institutions, such as the cooperation extended by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) of which main mission is to implement international cooperation activities entrusted by (JICA), government ministries such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and municipal bodies, and other public and private organizations. JICA therefore, is willing to connect the Saudi organizations to these Japanese proper channels if they wish to have cooperation by Japanese organizations. On view of the current progress, we could say that this is the time also to direct our Saudi-Japanese cooperation towards unifying of our efforts as donor countries in helping other developing and poor nations. In this context, I believe Japan could extend technical support through transferring sophisticated technologies and know-how to these countries, while Saudi Arabia could finance JICA projects in these countries for development. Our main concern and first priority at the present time is to secure food and water to poor counties, so that their citizens could survive with no fear of starving due to shortage of food or lack of healthy water. As all of us know, many countries allover the world are surviving under poverty, suffering from famine and drought beside other complications in their living conditions, which makes it a very complex issue for other developed and rich countries to care about without unifying efforts as donors in fighting and solving their sufferings and assisting them for development. With unified assistance extended to the needy countries, this issue could be solved and citizens of afflicted countries would be surviving again as human being and could develop their own capabilities until their turn comes to assisting other needy countries for development. It is our commitment to assist developing and poor countries for alleviating their sufferings and one day to combat developing countries issues. For this therefore, we need the support from rich countries like Saudi Arabia that could pay and cover costs for its training programs organized in Japan and subsequently, Japan through JICA could play its role for development of other countries in the region, besides Kingdom could partially financing our Japanese development programs of developing countries in the region too. Finally, I would like to say that as the world is currently facing a very severe financial and other natural crises that are pulling back most of the development plans and operations especially in developing and poor countries, it has become more indispensable to realize closer integration among wealthy countries and donor organizations and unify efforts to facing such challenges and assisting needy countries for surviving, development and coping with modernization.

2 Share knowledge and experience. For our world. For the future. Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) is an international cooperation organization established in 1977 to support human resource development of the world by transferring knowledge, technology, and experience of Japan. JICE has actively been provided services to its main client JICA for more than 30 years. Recently however, JICE expands its international cooperation services to various clients from national and local governments, international organizations, NGOs, private companies to universities. As JICA will terminate its fully-covered ODA activities to the Kingdom in Dec. 2010, instead JICE is now willing to succeed a great role from JICA to provide its effective services to Saudi ministries and governmental bodies. JICE can implement following international cooperation activities and services according to their request with the fund/budget of the clients. Training programs/study tours in Japan Effective training programs based on applicable Japanese experience and technologies. JICE had already implemented a training program on e-learning and distance learning in Japan for NCEL, MoHE and universities staff of Saui Arabia. Overseas student program in Japan Degree programs in reputed universities (PhD, MA, BA) in various topics. JICE also started to assist Saudi students who study in Japanese universities through King Abdullah Scholarship Program. Other services International Youth Exchange Programs in Japan - Dispatch of Japanese Experts - Research and study service - Any other requested service New Channels of Saudi-Japanese Cooperation ACCELERATING JICE CONTRIBUTION TO KSA ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 2

3 JICE PRESIDENT TO KSA FOR STRENGTHENING SAUDI-JAPAN RELATIONSHIPS In June 2009, Mr. Kazuhisa Matsuoka, JICE President made his historic first visit to KSA to promote JICE activities and services to Saudi high officials. He paid courtesy call on Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Water and Electricity, TVTC, Ministry of Higher Education, NCEL and other organizations. Dr. Al-Ghafaise, TVTC Governor received Mr. Matsuoka JICA handing over cooperation of SJAHI to JICE His second visit to KSA is considered the milestone for JICE. On August 15, 2009, Mr. Matsuoka was invited to the SJAHI graduation and handover ceremony. At the ceremony, JICA handed over management of SJAHI project to JICE. Now, JICE together with JICS (Japan International Cooperation System) plays a major role as an implementing agency of SJAHI project funded by Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In line with the dream of the Costudian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz came the third visit of Mr. Matsuoka to the Kingdom. On 23 September 2009, he was officially invited to the inauguration ceremony of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST); King Abdullah s longing dream. JICE, together with Japanese company JCG Corporation, is also contributing to the preparation of Japan Saudi Arabia Academy Center (JSAAC), which is to be established in KAUST campus as a core academic center for promoting mutual understanding and partnership between Saudi research institutes and Japanese universities. 6th Batch Graduation Ceremony of SJAHI Presient of JICE attending inaguartion ceremony of KAUST Mr. Matusoka s recent visit and involvement of JICE in KSA shows its strong commitment to assist human resource development in KSA. It is expected that JICE will greatly contribute to the development and prosperity of KSA and multilayered relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan. 3

4 Dr. Abullah M. Al-Megren Senior Advisor & Project Manger, NCEL A MESSAGE FROM SAUDI EXECUTIVE «Land of Sun Rise» Under the supervision and support of Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Angari, the Minister of Higher Education, JICA Office in KSA has coordinated the succession with the Japanese International Cooperation Center (JICE) in Japan, so that a delegation from the National Center for E-Learning and Distance Learning (NCEL) in the Kingdom paid a scientific visit and training in Japan. We have received the kind invitation from H.E Mr. Kazuhisa Matsuoka, President of JICE to visit the JICE headquarters in Japan and to identify the most prominent and recent approach which the country has reached in the field of e-learning and distance learning which is supplemented by modern techniques and applications. By the end of last June, I, together with two of my colleagues have already been to JICE, where we were amazed by the warm hospitality and attention we have received from H.E JICE President and all his staff during our stay among them. Despite the short duration of the visit which did not exceed one week, and through the well prepared program, we were able to preview many sides and varied experience in the field of e-learning and distance learning and its advanced technology as well as other technical aspects of daily life. Actually, all this was achieved through our field visits to some well-reputed universities in Japan, in addition to some agencies, public and private companies concerned, where we met with their senior officials and discussed with them visions of future cooperation. In spite of the above, I still firmly believe that everything we previewed during this visit is only a small view of what Japan owns of wealth and revolution in technology and advanced electronics in all spheres of life. Most of the time of our visit was confined to Tokyo the famous capital of Japan. From the very beginning of our visit, we were surprised of the warm welcome and greetings of Japanese officials. This was clear enough when we were received by JICE, and meeting with His Excellency Mr. Matsuoka its President and his staff who exerted all efforts and played significant role in the success of our program. Before the end of our visit, we could sign agreement on training program in Japan which is implemented by the National Center for E-Learning and Distance Learning in collaboration with (JICE), which has been implemented already during the summer time of the same this year. Our visit to Japan was rich in every sense of the word of meaning, and the distinction distinct sites and personalities that we met there. We made several visits to related organizations such as Waseda University, which is one of the oldest universities in the world, where we were received and welcomed by its president and staff. It was wonderful meeting where we discussed aspects of cooperation and cultural exchanges between the University and the Saudi universities and the areas to benefit from the experiences of successful university in the field of e-learning and its applications, this meeting was preceded by a tour around the University and stand on some applications in the area of e-learning based in the university as well as distance learning techniques. Then a series of visits thereafter, which included a similar visit to the headquarters of the Open University in Japan, where President of the University received us, and we had fruitful discussions and exchange of views in the field of e-learning and distance education. We were taken also in a quick tour of its facilities and studios of television broadcasting. Brothers of JICE staff were keen enough to make our visit fruitful and successful, as it was a good opportunity to get acquainted with the various aspects of technology and modern trends in education provided by companies and private sector institutions in Japan. JICE arranged visits for us to NEC Panasonic, where we have seen the latest developments experienced by these companies and its research laboratories. It was the most fascinating foreseen techniques for the future based on the imagination, which could climb the world steps away in the applications of education and knowledge. Those were sweet times that we have been in the land of the rising sun, has given us positive momentum and aspirations for a brighter future, and we enjoyed the hospitality of a dignified and refined handling, through witnessing the kindness and extreme courtesy we met throughout the our visit Our sincere thanks is extended to all dear friends of JICE, for their kind invitation, first and all that we met of care and hospitality. I also hope that this visit is the beginning of cooperation between the two countries and the last key to a broader horizon for a scientific and educational benefit to our two countries and the world. 4

5 Al-Megren Heading Saudi Delegation to Japan NCEL & JICE Inked Agreement on Training Program in Japan HE Mr. Matsuoka, JICE President receiving Dr. Al Megren in JICE During his visit to Japan heading a Saudi delegation consisted of the below listed three members from NCEL, Dr. Al-Megren before the end of his visit, signed a Service Agreement with JICE President to provide NCEL and Saudi university personnel with services by JICE. Signing the Agreement came after the arrival of the Saudi delegation in Tokyo on June 19, during which JICE received them and accompanied them first to the Arabic Islamic Institute where they shared Muslim citizens the Friday prayers and made observation tour over its Mr. Takei and University officials in Japan receiving NCEL delegates facilities. The actual program of their visit arranged and organized by JICE started afterwards with several field visits and meetings with officials concerned of JICE and other public and private related organizations, during which they observed the advanced technologies in the field of electronic and distance learning. President of JICE and related universities received the delegation members where they exchanged talks and discussions on several related matters for future cooperation. NAME Dr. Abullah M. Al-Megren Mr. Faisal Hamad Al-Showaish Eng. Anwar Ali Alyafei POSITION Senior Advisor & Project Manger Customer Relations Manager ICRM IT Manager Training on E-Learning JICE Received First Batch of 25 Saudi Officials Mr. Takei, the former JICA expert who gave technical advice to NCEL planned the training program on e-learning in Japan during his 2-months, cooperation period in Riyadh. Within the framework of the Saudi-Japanese Agreement signed between NCEL and JICE, 25 Saudi officials of different specialties from various Saudi governmental and semi-governmental organizations were selected and nominated by NCEL to participate in a special tailor-made training course in Japan on E-Learning. JICE received the Saudi Delegation on their arrival in Japan on 26 July and started the course program the next day of their arrival with orientation and Japanese language lesson. On 28 of July the actual course on e-learning took place with lectures and practical case studies. In the meantime, JICE accompanied the delegation on field visits to organizations concerned and made them observation tours in Tokyo, Narita city, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Before leaving home on 14 August, JICE arranged a wrap-up meeting for the participants and evaluation for the program, then hold a farewell closing ceremony for the participants the day before departure to Saudi Arabia. NCEL & MOHE receiving President of JICE and JICA RR 5

6 JICA Training in Japan this year During the first part of the current Japanese Fiscal Year 2009 which ends 31st of March 2010, JICA Office and its training centers in Japan received 23 Saudi officials and employees from different Saudi governmental organizations, who participated in different types of training courses and study tours programs, besides holding discussions and talks with their Japanese counterparts concerned in Japan on related topics. We below list up names of the 23 officials who have been invited to Japan this year under JICA Training Program: Saudi Participants under JICA Group Training Course Program during the JFY 2009 NAME ORGANIZATION SUBJECT Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Bjaili Presidency of Meteorology & Environment Environmental Management Tech. in Chemical Industries Mr. Mohammed K. Alhezab Technical and Vocational Training Corporation Seminar on Small and Medium Enterprise Dev. Policies Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Benduhaish Ms. Sahar H Fallatah Mr. Abdulqader J. Almutai Al-Shoura Council King Abdulaziz University Ministry of Culture and Information Operation of Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the DSU, WTO Agreement Web Application Dev. (Vendor) for E-Government Promotion Mr. Mohammed J. Almalki Ministry of Finance Information Security for E-Government Promotion Mr. Abdalatif H. Alhomrani Presidency of Meteorology & Environment Automotive Technology for Environmental Protection Mr. Abdulmajid Abdullah Alghamdi Saudi Arabian National Guard Health Affairs Hospital Admin. and Health Services Management Ms. Randa Awad Aljohani Yanbu General Hospital Disaster Nursing & Rehabilitation Participants in the Saudi high ranking officials meeting held in Japan from 28 June ~ 04 July, 2009 on Planning and Management on Renewable Water Resources in South West Region of KSA NAME POSITION ORGANIZATION SUBJECT H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Alsaud Mr. Said Ali Alduair Mr. Helal Ayedh Alharthi Mr. Ahmad Abdulkarem Alkhalifah Deputy Minister for Planning & Dev. & Water Affairs DG Water Resources Director Research & Studies Div. Dept. Dir. Research & Studies Div. Ministry of Water and Electricity Planning and Management of Renewable Water Resources in South West Region 2nd batch of 10 Saudi specialists from the Ministry of Water and Electricity who participated in Counterparts Training in Japan from 8 ~ 29 July, 2009, on the field of Planning and Management of Renewable Water Resources in South West Region of KSA NAME Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Alshamrani Mr. Habib Mohammed Khayat Mr. Jaber Mesfer Alfaifi Mr. Faris Mohammad Alyami Mr. Ibrahim Ali Suwaydi Mr. Ahmed Ali Alghamdi Mr. Saeed Saleh Albinahmed Mr. Abdullah Belal Alsubhi Mr. Awad Owaydh Alsolami Mr. Mr. Majed Marui Al-Asiri JOB TITLE Senior Hydrologist, Asir Region Field Hydrologist, Mekkah Region Geologist, Al-Baha Region Geologist, Najran Region Hydrology Manager, Jazan Region Hydrologist, Deputy Ministry of Water Affairs Hydrologist, Deputy Ministry of Water Affairs Geophysicist, Deputy Ministry of Water Affairs Geologist, Deputy Ministry of Water Affairs Geologist, Deputy Ministry of Water Affairs 6

7 LETTER TO JICA... After coming back from Japan, Mr. Said Ali Alduair, the Director General of Water Resources in Ministry of Water and Electricity (MOWE) who participated in the High Rank Official Meeting, which was organized by JICA in Japan during the period from 28 June ~ 04 July, 2009 presented the blow words of a letter to JICA Office. Alduair who was a member of the Saudi delegation headed by Dr. Mohammed Alsaud the Deputy Minister of Planning and Development and Water Affairs of MOWE discussed with their Japanese counterparts the progress of works and exchanged views on JICA-MOWE Master Plan Study on Planning and Management of Renewable Water Resources in South West Region of KSA. JICA Newsletter with thanks to Mr. Alduair is pleased to release below his letter to JICA readers and friends. SEVEN DAYS I SPENT IN JAPAN «These were the seven days we spent in Japan; we could see Tokyo city and how Japanese people are handling and managing water resources. This visit comes within the framework of the research master plan study implemented by JICA on «Planning and Management on Renewable Water Resources in the South West Region of the Kingdom», which was launched in July 2007 to be completed mid 2010G. The Study aims to set up a master plan for the sustainable development of renewable water resources in and using and managing it in the region. Here I would like to mention that this visit was a good experience for us, as we met many officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Land, Transport and Tourism (MILT), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Water Agency of Japan. We have observed also some of water desalination plants, sewage water treatment plants and irrigation projects. Mr. Said Ali Alduair Japanese care for water rationalization attracted our attention as we have noticed how creative they are in water rationalization and making use of treated sewage water in buildings, big housing complexes in Tokyo as one of the drainage methods in toilets. As a matter of fact, we would like to express our thanks to the Japanese Government for inviting us to visit Japan and observe the Japanese technologies and culture, and we dedicate our thanks to JICA for facilitating our trip and arrange for it From Japan, Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Asmari, who is now participating in the Master s degree on Graduate School of Regional Development Studies held in Toyo University for two years ending in 30 September 2010, sent the below letter to our JICA Office in Riyadh, saying: MODEST PEOPLE WITH SMILY FACES «I was preparing myself for my study trip to the Sun Land. I have heard a lot about it and was always eager to see it. Few hours left for taking off my flight to Japan. The following inquiries came up to my minds; What will I find? What should I make? What will I meet? and so on. I knew that I will be landing in one of the most advanced countries in the technical and industrial world, where this is exactly what I found when I landed there. But, Japanese people themselves are what made me anxious more, how are they? Would I meet any of those whom I could deal with? This is due to the language barrier and their advanced way of life and technology which they are adopted more than other people in other countries, or even because of being busy. At last I could reach the answer different from any assumption and expectations; as I found all of people there of all levels modest and humble in their transactions and communications with those related on unrelated. I could see smile drawn on all their faces; in the streets, schools, universities and any where else. Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Asmari 7

8 SPOTLIGHTS & EVENTS 215 Saudi Car Maintenance Specialists Added to Saudi Car Market Jeddah Governor Inaugurates Graduation Ceremony of SJAHI HRH Prince Misha al bin Abudlaziz & Dr. Al-Ghafaise with 6th batch graduates of SJAHI HRH Prince Misha al bin Abudlaziz the Jeddah governor patronized on 15 Aug. 09 the graduation ceremony of the 6th batch of the Saudi-Japanese Automobile High Institute in Jeddah. The ceremony was attended by top high rank officials of both the Saudi and Japanese sides to witness the graduation of 215 car maintenance technical specialists who will join immediately the Saudi car maintenance market. Opening remarks and speeches by the Saudi and Japanese key officials were delivered on this occasion, where all appreciated and expressed admiration to the remarkable achievement of the joint cooperation between the Saudi and the Japanese governments and their private sectors of the Japanese car manufacturers and Saudi dealers for setting up SJAHI as an outstanding educational institution Mr. Al Asmary with Japanese officials of SJAHI in the Kingdom. They also appreciated SJAHI s effective contribution to the Saudi industrial and car maintenance market and expressed their wish for the 6th batch of 215 Saudi graduates to add new power to the Saudi market of car maintenance and industry. The role played by JICA along the past 8 years of technical cooperation for implementation of SJAHI in collaboration with TVTC has been successfully accomplished with the graduation of the 6 th.batch which is included to the previous 5 batches of the Saudi specialists in car maintenance and industry. Its time now however, for perusing the next stage of the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation for SJAHI thorough another Japanese channel represented by the Japanese Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI). New Era of Saudi-Japanese Cooperation on Energy Inked MOWE & TEPCO Persue Cooperation on Energy Conservation H.E. Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Alhussayen Minister of Water and Electricity His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Alhussayen, Minister of Water and Electricity and Mr. Susumu Shirakawa the Viice President of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) signed 8 recently a Contract on Consulting Services for the implementation of the M/P on Energy Conservation in the Power Sector in KSA The contract amount, which was signed at Minister s Office in the Ministry on 11/10/1430H (30/09/2009) is Five million Saudi Riyals to be implemented in six months. H.E. Mr. Shigeru Endo, the Japanese Ambassador in the Kingdom attended and witnessed the signing ceremony, together with Mr. Ryuichi Tomizawa, JICA s Resident Representative, Dr. Saleh Alawaji, Deputy Minister for Electric Affairs in the Ministry and some of the Japanese and the Saudi officials concerned. Worth of mentioning, JICA has supported the preparation and the setting up of the M/P Study on Energy Conservation from its early stage in February 2007, but now comes a new transitional period of Saudi-Japanese mutual technical cooperation through TEPCO as another Japanese channel of cooperation. Eng. Alhussayen clarified that the purpose of this contract is to start the implementation of programs recommended by the Saudi- Japanese experts in the M/P Study for the rationalization of electricity consumption, the training of Saudi energy managers, and the innovation of an award for energy efficiency, in order to implement a program of raising energy efficiency in KSA.

9 Back to Saudi Arabia as Ambassador of Japan After 10 years from his first assignment in Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr. Shigeru Endo recently arrived in Riyadh to take over his new post assignment as Ambassador of Japan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the past two years Mr. Endo was Ambassador of Japan in Tunisia, where he contributed a lot in strengthening Japan-Tunisia relationship in various aspects. Mr. Endo was the Minister in the Japanese Embassy in the Kingdom 10 years ago. In his statement on arrival to Riyadh in his second mission, Mr. Endo said I am quite impressed by the progress the Kingdom has achieved over the past ten years, from the time of my first assignment in Riyadh. Also, compared with the period of my previous mission in the Kingdom, Japan-Saudi relations have remarkably expanded and deepened in a variety of fields. During his past tenure in the Kingdom, Mr. Endo extended great support to JICA in the promotion of its activities in Saudi Arabia. He was there during the booming period of the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation activities after signing their Japan-Saudi Cooperation Agenda in HE Mr. Shigeru Endo Ambassador of Japan Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Since then, several projects and studies were agreed upon with different Saudi organizations, including for instance the outstanding remarkable project of the Saudi-Japanese Automobile High Institute Project in Jeddah and more contribution of the Japanese government was extended to the human resources development by acceptance of more numbers of Saudi governmental employees and officials for training in Japan. With his support as Minister in Japanese Embassy, JICA Office in Saudi Arabia could implement all activities effectively and successfully. In his message as Ambassador in the Kingdom, His Excellency also said In order to widen and deepen the overall Japan-Saudi partnership, I intend to work harder than ever to further strengthen the Japan-Saudi commercial and trade ties and expand the cooperation to include education, arts, culture, and human resource development. He further elaborated saying I would like to see our friendly relationship becoming a strategic and multi-layered partnership. Follow-up Cooperation on Juniper Woodlands in KSA Japanese Advisor Mr. Shigeru ONO who used to be delegated by JICA to the Kingdom for special missions on nature conservation and after completion of JICA-NCWCD technical cooperation project on the Management Plan for Conservation of Juniper Woodlands in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia JICA, Mr. ONO arrived here in the Kingdom once again on 23 October, 2009 as a Short-Term GIS Advisor, under the follow-up cooperation scheme of JICA. This has been taken place in response to the official request of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD). During his stay in the Kingdom for the period from 23 Oct. to 3 November 2009, ONO reviewed and carried out several tasks on the usage of GIS technology for conservation and management of Juniper woodlands, and hold several related discussions with his Saudi counterparts. In the meantime, he conducted a workshop on GIS and Juniper in NCWCD Headquarters in Riyadh. ONO on Presentation at NCWCD Before leaving Riyadh back home, NCWCD and JICA will host dinner receptions to bid him farewell, in the meantime to announce completion of technical cooperation between NCWCD and JICA. This was attended by all NCWCD Saudi officials and counterparts concerned Embassy of Japan and JICA staff. 9

10 Winner of JICA Presidential Award for 2009 In recognition of his contribution to the promotion of the Saudi- Japanese technical cooperation implemented by JICA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the past 3 decades, Mrs. Sadako Ogata, President of (JICA) appointed H.E. Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafaise, Governor of the Technical & Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to be the winner of JICA Presidential Award for 2009, as expression of sincere gratitude for his continuous effort and cooperation in supporting JICA s activities in the Kingdom. Res. Rep. of JICA Office in Saudi Arabia visited Al-Ghafaise at his Office in Riyadh to hand over the Award Letter of JICA President Ogata, through which she expresses JICA s appreciation for his cooperation, by selecting him among 18 persons and 7 organizations from four corners of the world for presentation of JICA Presidential Award for this year On this occasion, Embassy of Japan is planning to hold a formal reception on the honor of Dr. Al-Ghafaise, where Ambassador Endo will present the JICA Presidential Award to Al-Ghafaise. Japanese Embassy and JICA officials in Riyadh and Saudi high rank officials will be joining in the ceremony which will be held at Ambassador s residence in Riyadh in January For several years, Dr. Al-Ghafaise has been strengthening and supporting the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation implemented by JICA for the TVTC aiming at enhancing the Saudi technical education and vocational training. With his support, HE Dr. Ali Al-Ghafaise Governor of TVTC JICA achieved several sounding results and could contribute into the development of TVTC and its human resources; through various channels of cooperation and assistance. Kuroda to the Kingdom to Prop up Cooperation Ties Within the framework of the continuous coordination and contacts between the Japanese and the Saudi governments officials to sustain the governments cooperation channels for development, H.E. Mr. Atsuo Kuroda, Vice President of JICA arrives in Kingdom during the period from 6 to 12 November, 2009 to meet with his Saudi counterparts officials of the Saudi government and to make observation visits over some of JICA projects in the Kingdom. On top of his visit Agenda, Mr. Kuroda will meet with His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Al-Hakamy the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Economy, the counterpart organization of JICA in the Kingdom, in order to discuses and exchange views on the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation activities and future cooperation of JICA in KSA after completion of Japanese ODA. He will also meet with other Saudi high rank officials of related organizations to overview their past cooperation with JICA and find out possibilities of enhancing future cooperation. Before leaving for Japan, Embassy of Japan in Riyadh will receive Mr. Kuroda to report about his visit to the Kingdom and results of meeting with the Saudi counterpart officials for promoting future cooperation. H.E. Mr. Atsuo Kuroda JICA Vice President Facts & Figures... New JICA was officially inaugurated on October 1, 2008 with a merger between the existing JICA and the overseas economic cooperation section of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). President of New JICA is Mrs. Sadako Ogata. She was President of old JICA since October, 2003 and High Commissioner of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for the period from 1991 to In addition to the JICA Headquarters in Tokyo and its 17 domestic offices, JICA has a network of 96 overseas bureaus and has undertaken projects in around 150 countries. Number of JICA main international personnel is 1,664 staff. They are supplemented by thousands of overseas offices locally employed national staff in addition to thousands of Japanese experts and volunteers. Volume of operation is the world s largest bilateral development assistance agency with a size of estimated $10.3 billion dollars. JICA Research Institute: New JICA established the JICA Research Institute to enhance research function on development by drawing on its abundant field experience and to share research findings and leading discussions on international development assistance. Records of JICA activities in KSA since 1975 till April 2009 as follows: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Technical Training Saudi Participants Japanese Experts and Advisors dispatched and assigned to different Saudi organizations 1786 Participants TOTAL 1778 Experts: (S/T., L/T. & Team/Mission Experts Project-Type Technical Cooperation 9 Projects & Mini Projects Research & Development Joint Studies 12 Studies Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDR) 2 Teams (After Gulf War 91) Youth Friendship Program 134 Participants (8 Batches) 10