Minister Dedić meets with Japanese ambassador Ito to discuss cooperation in agriculture

Šemsudin Dedić, the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, met today with H.E. Makoto Ito, the ambassador of Japan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to discuss the opportunities of enhancing cooperation in the field of agriculture and water management.

Minister Dedić expressed his appreciation for the continued support by the Japanese government to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a wide array of sectors in the last two decades adding that “mine clearance of arable farm land and forest land in Bosnia and Herzegovina was greatly accelerated through the equipment donated by the Government of Japan. The commitment of Japan to extend its support in different areas, from improving social to economic opportunities, is a clear sign that this cooperation can be further strengthened.”

Ambassador Ito pointed out that the Japanese Development Agency (JICA) was focused on activities supporting the health, education and environment sectors in the Western Balkans with its continued efforts on transferring and exchanging knowledge and expertise.

Given the focus on environmental protection, minister Dedić welcomed any opportunities of future JICA support to local communities which will be included in the WATSAN 2 project that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry plans to implement in the upcoming period in order to improve livelihoods through the enhancement of hygienic conditions with water supply and sanitation system development and the introduction of environmental protection measures.   

Ambassador Ito thanked minister Dedić for his welcome with the mutual expression of continuing the cooperation and support on the projects discussed at the meeting.