Japan will assist Bhutan with resources and technology to digitally map the parts of the Himalayan Buddhist kingdom, helping the government to better manage plans in fields like agriculture, land management, and disaster prevention. 

The two countries had exchanged the notes in a ceremony held last week in New Delhi. The event was attended by the envoys of both countries posted in India. Japan will provide a grant of Yen 796 million ( roughly USD 7 million) to Bhutan to develop a digital topographic map of parts of Bhutan that are not digitally mapped.

“The digital topographic map will provide updated and reliable geospatial information, including accurate coordinate data which will benefit numerous sectors including agriculture, land management, environment, infrastructure development, and disaster prevention,” the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The project will be implemented by the National Land Commission Secretariat.

Japan has been assisting Bhutan in many different areas, such as agriculture, telecommunications, rural electrification, health, and other developmental and cultural projects.  

“The Royal Government of Bhutan also deeply appreciates the recent support received from the Government of Japan to fight against the spread of Covid-19,” the statement added. 

(SAM)