JICA schemes

� Grant Aid

� Loan

� Technical Cooperation

Projects

� Training Programmes

� Development Studies

� Emergency Disaster Relief

� Follow-up Cooperation

JICA target areas in Bhutan

� Agriculture and rural

development

� Infrastructure development

� Local governance

� Social services development

(health, education and IT)

JICA members in Bhutan as of

June 2009

� JICA office staff: 16

(7 internationals; 9 nationals)

� Experts: 7

� Senior Volunteers: 14

� JOCVs: 37(

The Technical Cooperation

project “Horticulture Reseachand Devleopment” was signedbetween Mr. Tomoki Nitta,Resident Representative ofJICA and Mr. Karma Tshitem,Secretary, Gross NationalHappiness on March 16, 2010at Thimphu.The project will cover six east-ern dzongkhags ofTrashiyangtse, Trashigang,Mongar, Lhuntse,Pemagatshel andSamdrupjongkhar to trainfarmers in apprapriate tech-nologies for commercializationof horticulture. The Japanese

government contribution will include dispatch of Japanese Experts, procurement of equipment andacceptance of trainees to Japan.The project is requested by the Bhutanese government based on the successful implementation ofthe earlier “Agriculture Research and Development in Lhuntse and Mongar”.

The first annual Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting for the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutan Himalaya” took place onMarch 9, 2010 at Namgay Heritage Hotel in Thimphu. Following the JCC about 37 participants including Secretary of Ministry ofEconomic Affairs, Department of Geology and Mines, Gross National Happiness Commission, Department of Roads, National LandCommission, Department of Disaster Management, Na-tional Environment Commission and Japanese Experts tookpart in the Science workshop that was held. Experts re-ported and shared results of the survey and analysis, andBhutanese officials presented current issues related to thenatural disaster.

Following days, Japanese experts held training sessionsfor Bhutanese personnel in the area of remote sensing,geomorphological analysis and soil analysis technique.

GLOF project will continue until March 2012. JICA will con-duct more field survey and analysis in cooperation withDGM to assess the risk of GLOFs and to strengthen ca-pacity to conduct investigation and research on the GLOFphenomenon, and to build capacity to propose effectivedisaster management. This is a research project on thestudy on GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) in theBhutan Himalayas, and is jointly conducted by JICA, JST(Japan Science and Technology Agency) and DGM(Department of Geology and Mines, Ministry of EconomicAffairs.

JICA Bhutan Newsletter is a monthly newsletter published by the JICA Bhutan Office and updated electronically on the JICA Bhutan website.

It serves to better link all JICA Bhutan partners by offering briefs and current news on different sectors of JICA and the RGoB.

It is for information purposes only and is not an official document. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of JICA.

To join our e-mail based subscription, please contact at <jicabt@jica.org.bt>. Your comments and feedback are welcome.

JICA Bhutan Office

Monthly Newsletter

Feb - April 2010

Vol. 10-02

Horticulture Research andHorticulture Research andHorticulture Research andHorticulture Research andHorticulture Research and

Development Project SignedDevelopment Project SignedDevelopment Project SignedDevelopment Project SignedDevelopment Project Signed

Joint Coordination Committee MeetingJoint Coordination Committee MeetingJoint Coordination Committee MeetingJoint Coordination Committee MeetingJoint Coordination Committee Meeting

for the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutanfor the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutanfor the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutanfor the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutanfor the project “Study of GLOF in Bhutan

Himlayas” held at ThimphuHimlayas” held at ThimphuHimlayas” held at ThimphuHimlayas” held at ThimphuHimlayas” held at Thimphu

� Mr. Tomoki Nitta, Resident Representative call on the Prime Minister on 2 April to convey his goodwill and solidity on the

eve of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to Japan.

� The First Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting for the project “Strengthening of Farm Mechanization” project was

held on March 16, 2010 at Thimphu. The mission memebrs from ICA and the officials of the Ministry of Agricculture com-

mended the project team for the timely and precise implemtatation of the project. No major changes were deemed to be changed

in the Project Design Matrix.

� In response to the request from the Royal Government of Bhutan for JICA funding support to renovate/ restore the infras-

tructure damaged by Cyclone Aila in May 2009, JICA com missioned a consulting team to carry out field assessments of the

damaged infrastructure in three dzongkhags of Paro, Trongsa and Bumthang. The details of the findings are forwarded to the

Government for further discussions and priotization. Meanwhile the Japanese Government under its scheme Grant Asistance for

Grassroots Projects (GAGP) granted one project in Haa Dzongkag for approximately US$70,702 for reconstruction of Chumpa

and Girina bridges; and one in Paro upto US$ 91,867 to support the river Training Works at Hungrel, reinforcing the banks of

Duchu River and Pachu River which were severely dmanaged by the cyclone Aila .

� A four member JICA mission visited Bhutan from Feb 10 to 17, 2010 for discussions with the Bhutanese officials on the

project proposal, “Replacement of Ambulances” submitted by the Ministry of Health. The Government of Japan agreed to dispatch

a Detailed Design study team in May 2010.

� JICA Thailand Office invited 18 National Staff from South Asian country offices to participate in Project Cycle Management workshop

from Jan 13 to 17, 2010 focussed on Monitoring and Evaluation. This was a continuation of the earlier workshop on basics of PCM.

Mr. Kinley Dorji, Sr. Programme Officer and Mr. Zangpo, Program Officer from Bhutan Office attended the workshop.

� Bhutan Office is on its way to fully handle the Rural Electrification ODA Loan Project since July 2009. In relation to the project, Mr.

Kinley Dorji, Sr. Programme Officer attended the seminar on Contract Management for International Construction at Tokyo from Feb

21 to 26, 2010.

� Ms. Tshering Palden participated in the National Staff training on JOCV Program at JICA Head Quarter from 1st March to 8th March,

2010 along with participants from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sirlankha, Maldives and India JICA offices.

� Amongst the several visitors to JICA office in recent months was a team from ADB led by Mr. Francesco Torieri, Social Development

Specialist, Ms. Lota Bertulfo, Ms. Reihana and Ms. Daw Dem for the project Advancing Women’s Economic Opportunities.

� The Resident Representative of JICA, Mr. Tomoki Nitta and the President of the JAAB, Dasho (Dr) Gado Tshering along with

several members of the JICA Alumni Association of Bhutan (JAAB) held the JAAB Impact Talk 2010 at Hotel Dragon Roots on

30th March, 2010.

� One short term JOCV completed his term in Bhutan and left for Japan:

1) Mr. Yiju Enomoto, Instructor for Youth Activities(Maths and Japanese Culture), Department of Youth,Culture and Sports, MoE

� One new short term Senior Volunteer arrived in Bhutan assigned to Drak-Tsho Vocational Training Center for Disablities:

1) Mr Satoshi Seike, Food Processing, Big Bakery, Kawanjansa; Thimphu

Tel: (975) 2-322030, 323218, 328074, 324571,324463

Fax: (975) 2-323089

E-mail: <jicabt@jica.org.bt>

Website: <http://www.jica.go.jp/bhutan/index.html>

For more information

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

P.O. Box 217, Doy-bum Lam, Above Memorial Chorten, Thimphu, Bhutan

Newsletter Team

Emi Doyle, Project Formulation AdvisorKinley Dorji, Senior Programme OfficerZangpo, Technical Officer (General Affairs)Tshering Palden, Program Officer

News in Brief