The Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka yesterday said Tokyo might not be able to continue Its aid to developing countries. Including Bangladesh, in the future for economic recession and a growing aid fatigue' In his country

Japanese diplomat Y Kuroda, at a discussion with the newsmen after a day long trip of JICA projects, ex

pressed his dissatisfaction at delays in implementation of some Japanese funded projects. He said Unfortunately, some of our projects had not been Im pie men ted effectively and efficiently "

The resident representative of the Japan International Co operation Agency (JICA) H Suxuki first secretaries of the Japanese embassy K Yokoyama and H Sakamoto also spoke on the occasion

Suxuki also said that till 1991. the percentage of Japanese aid utilisation was around 40 to 50 annually "Which we consider a normal rate." But After the present government came to power, the percentage came down to 10 to 20. due to increasing complexities of procedures in the bureaucracy."

"Last year, the aid utilisation rate was 11 per cent and this year we are expecting this to rise to 18 to 19 per cent." he said

Since the independence of the country. Japan has been the number one donor by pro vlding Bangladesh 7.5 billion dollars (accumulated on commitment basis), according to Kuroda. Of this. 5 billion dollars was provided as loans and the rest as grant aid

"Although the other international donor agencies had already developed the so-called aid fatigue. Japan continued to be the top donor. Bui we are not optimistic about long run cooperation in this regard." Kuroda pointed out.

"JICA collects the funds in yen and we are determined not to waste our aid money which comes from taxpayers '

Elaborating why he was not optimistic. Kuroda said: "Firstly. the so-called aid fatigue was spreading in Japan. Secondly, the Japanese econ omy was experiencing a recession for a much longer period than anticipated and. lastly, taxpayers provide the money and judging from the economic situation, we cannot be very optimistic about their support in this regard."

Regarding Delays of project implementation due to inefficient handling by Bangladesh." he said: "I don't say our aid had been wasted in Bangladesh. But due to delays, our time to implement such projects was squeezed and we had to work very hard to complete a task."

In support of his contention. he cited the Narayan-ganj-Narslngdi irrigation Project. He said, work could not be begun on time as the Bangladesh government delayed in acquiring the necessary land.

About delays in aid utilisation. Kuroda said. "Previously the percentage of aid utilisation in Bangladesh was higher because the nature of the Japanese projects was different from those being under taken nowadays."

The Japanese diplomat urged the government to cooperate in implementing aided projects.