Japan will provide a grant worth 1.2 billion yen, or around $10 million, to help Iran improve its medical services, NHK World, the international broadcasting service of NHK–Japan’s public broadcaster–reported.
Japan’s Ambassador to Iran Hiroyasu Kobayashi and the country’s deputy health minister, Mohsen Asadi-Lari, signed an agreement in Tehran on Saturday.
The deal is part of Japan’s official development assistance aimed at helping Iran restore its medical services. Their quality deteriorated when international sanctions were in place against the country.
Under the agreement, Iran will purchase medical equipment made in Japan through tenders and other channels. Expectations are high in Japan that the move will pave the way for its companies to expand business in Iran.
During the signing ceremony, Iranian officials expressed hope that bilateral ties will deepen in the medical services sector.
They noted that European and other Asian countries are also keen to enter the Iranian medical market, as the growth potential in the country of 78 million is high.
The Iranian officials urged Japan to concentrate even more in the field.
Ambassador Kobayashi said since the sanctions have been lifted, Japanese firms and companies have new opportunities. He hoped that the latest agreement will facilitate Japanese business in Iran.
