The Maldives and Japan has signed an exchange of notes under which Japan will provide a grant of MVR415 million for the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Network Development Project in the Maldives.
Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Asim and Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Kazumi Endo signed the Exchange of Notes at a ceremony held on Thursday at the Foreign Ministry.
Under the terms of the Exchange of Notes, the Japanese government will extend to the Maldivian government a grant of approximately MVR415 million. The grant will be utilised to implement the project for the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Network Development.
The project is aimed at improving access to information of the national broadcasting through development of a digital terrestrial television broadcasting network. The project includes procurement, installation and construction of digital terrestrial television transmitting system, antenna tower/pole with provision of essential equipment for network operation centre system.
Speaking after signing the agreement, Foreign Minister Dr Asim said that “quality broadcasting services will be provided in all parts of the country with the completion of the project. The digital terrestrial broadcasting system can assist in warning the public of impending disasters and in disseminating information relating to relief operations, he said, and noted Japan’s continued assistance towards the development of the Maldives.
At the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Kazumi Endo said the “project not only advances broadcasting in the country, it will also contribute to the social and economic development in the country.”
The signing of the exchange of notes between the Maldives and Japan was witnessed by senior officials from Public Service Media, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Communication Authority of Maldives and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Embassy of Japan in the Maldives.
Once completed, the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Network Development Project is expected to enhance the accessibility to information and to alleviate information disparities among islands through the development of the digital terrestrial television broadcasting network, and contribute to the mitigation of vulnerability and further social and economic development in Maldives.
Under the project, the Digital Switch Over will commence area by area to start the digital terrestrial TV broadcasting in the Maldives by 2018.