Doha: Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF) has always worked to promote strong relations between Qatar and Japan and has been in the forefront of offering urgent aid to victims of earthquake and tsunami that hit eastern Japan in March 2011, Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari, the director general of Qatar Fund for Development (QFD), has said.
He made the remarks during a press conference to celebrate the conclusion of the fund’s activities and the launch of Intilaq initiative in the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Qatar Shingo Tsuda.
In the wake of the disaster in 2011, which left nearly 15,000 killed, with severe damages to infrastructure, Qatar had announced aid to Japan to help in the relief efforts to those affected by the disaster, Al Kuwari said.
He added that QFF supports projects that address the pressing and sustainable needs of the Japanese people.
The fund focuses mainly on children’s education, fisheries, healthcare and entrepreneurship.
Regarding Intilaq initiative, Al Kuwari said $16.5m was allocated to establish Intilaq centre for innovators in the Tohoku region, adding that the centre is part of a global network that brings together nascent groups and promotes the spirit of initiative and was involved in new and innovative projects.
