ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/12/2005 8 April 2005
Australia provides assistance for Bhutan project
The Australian Government has announced an Australian $ 32,200 grant to a Bhutanese NGO involved in training rural women for self-employment.
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr John McCarthy, today formally presented the cheque for the grant amount to the National Women’s Association of Bhutan (NWAB). Mr McCarthy, who is accredited as Australia’s Ambassador to Bhutan, is on an official visit to the kingdom.
NWAB will utilise the grant, which is made under the High Commission's Direct Aid Program, to construct staff quarters at the Ngatshang paper unit in Kurizampa, Mongar, Bhutan. The local communities of the region have traditional expertise in making handmade paper, which is in demand within and outside Bhutan.
“The projects undertaken by the NGO to support rural women are commendable and we hope our aid will strengthen its capacities in a modest but meaningful way”, said Mr McCarthy.
The Direct Aid Program is designed to provide assistance for small-scale activities targeted to benefit socially and economically disadvantaged groups. The DAP funds grassroots development programs in areas including education, health, income generation and the environment.
For more information, please contact Ms Megan Jones, Third Secretary on 9810408466.