ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO : MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan t and Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ,launched the new project titled ‘The Project for Promoting Economic Governance through Anti-corruption Policy Support’ through an official signing that took place in Colombo Feb 13. in the presenc of senior government officials.
Sri Lanka’s ongoing socio-economic crisis has reversed development gains achieved, with deep rooted transparency and accountability gaps identified as a key contributor to the economic crisis of the country. The new project will work towards strengthening the anti-corruption ecosystem in Sri Lanka, through time-bound, costed national policy reform, inter-stakeholder collaboration, and enhanced institutional capacity to deliver a necessary roadmap for the country to emerge from fragility towards a resilient economy and a trusted democracy.
‘The Project for Promoting Economic Governance through Anti-Corruption Policy Support’ is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) of 137 million JPY (approximately 931,000 USD) will be implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka and UNDP in Sri Lanka.
The proposed action seeks to (1) strengthen legal and policy frameworks; (2) improve coordination among key institutions combating financial and tax crimes; and (3) enhance strategic institutional and individual skills and capacities around combating anticorruption through strategic action under three main outcomes.
Highlighting Japan’s commitment to support the people of Sri Lanka, MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka noted, “Anti-corruption measures are conducive for more business friendly environment for foreign investors. Japan would like to support improvement in this sense and expect to see expansion of our business relationship.
Commenting on the role of UNDP, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative for UNDP in Sri Lanka highlighted, “It’s become evident that for Sri Lanka to effectively implement required reforms and restore its economy,
The interventions envisaged under the project will contribute significantly to the achievement of Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG16), by promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
