KATHMANDU: The Government of Japan and the Government of Nepal on Tuesday signed a JPY 410 million (approximately Rs 390 million) grant agreement to support scholarships for young government officials under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program.

The agreement was signed by Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya in the presence of Minister of Finance Swarnim Wagle and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka.

The grant will fund two-year master’s degree and three-year doctoral degree programs at Japanese universities for young government officials. Upon completing their studies, the scholars are expected to contribute to policy formulation, socioeconomic development, and public administration while further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Maeda said the JDS program has helped strengthen the capacity of government officials while expanding cooperation between Japan and Nepal, expressing hope that the latest assistance would continue to support the country’s development.