960410

Japan to grant

$500 m to

Bosnia

TOKYO: Japan will provide $500 million in aid over four years to help reconstruct of Bosnia-Hercegovina, according to government sources quoted Wednesday by Kyodo news service.

The aid, over four years, will begin with a $150 million grant in fiscal 1996 for railways, roads, electric lines, the report said.

Another $80 million will also be provided in the fiscal year which began April 1 for refugee resettlment and employment.

Japan will officially announce the aid at a meeting on Bosnia in Brussels on Friday and Saturday, the sources said.

The Japanese foreign ministry declined to comment on the Kyodo report.

Bosnia will need $1.8 billion in aid this year alone for reconstruction, according to World Bank estimates. Another $ 400 million is needed from donor nations to meet this goal.-APP