Japan International Corporation Agency Alumni Association of T&T launched

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

14 January, 2013

 

Japan International Corporation Agency Alumni Association of T&T launched

 

The Honourable Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Minister of Public Administration was the feature speaker at a cocktail reception to launch the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) Alumni Association of Trinidad and Tobago (JAATT). The event took place on Wednesday 9 January 2013 at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador.

The JAATT brings together public officers who have participated in the technical training and development programmes provided by JICA. Through it, members can remain a part of the JICA network and tradition and become involved in projects and programmes that make a significant impact on the development agenda of Trinidad and Tobago.

Describing the network as a “think-tank”, Minister Seepersad-Bachan expressed the view that the association can be “a catalyst for nationals from this country to explore opportunities that are rapidly becoming available.” The Minister also expressed the view that the network “must be able to help us evaluate new technologies, look at the pros and cons from the perspective of our national development, and then help with not just whether we use them or not, but how best to use them for our benefit. They are a vital link as we integrate technology with our public service transformation and develop the citizen-centric society that is our goal.”

In thanking the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its contribution to development of Trinidad and Tobago, Minister Seepersad-Bachan emphasized that the training opportunities provided by JICA are being used “to fill the gaps in the human resource capacity of the Public Service. The training is assisting us in our thrust to create a 21st century, performance driven, and citizen centric Public Service that will enable us to adequately cope with the future development needs of the country.”

About the Japan International Corporation Agency:

JICA plays a crucial role in the development of nations including Caribbean countries through its activities which includes; Multilateral Assistance, Financial Assistance (Aids and grants) for disaster reliefs and ODA loans (Official Development Assistance. Trinidad and Tobago through bilateral agreements, have been able to benefit from Technical Cooperation Awards in Health, Social Security, Water Resources/Disaster Management, Environmental Management and Natural Resources and Energy, specifically as it relates to Solar Power Generation Technology.

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For further information, please contact Rae Ann Harper-Walters Head, Corporate Communications Division 625-8059, 688-2068 or email: harper-waltersr@mpa.gov.tt