AWWA ACE90060

This paper describes the efforts of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan (OECF) to fund water and sanitation projects in developing countries. The OECF was created by the Japanese government in 1961 to (1) provide concessional loans to governments of developing countries to finance development projects and (2) provide debt and equity to projects of Japanese companies in developing countries. Overall coordination of OECF matters rests with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. OECF contributes about 40 percent of Japan's total assistance to developing countries; the balance takes the form of grant and technical assistance and contributions to multilateral and international development institutions. This article includes information on commitments, disbursements, sectional and regional distribution of OECF loans to foreign governments, terms and conditions of loans, and conditions of procurement. Three water and sewerage projects are examined in some detail. Figures give a breakdown of development and other assistance provided by Japan, statistical data of OECF activities, and a list of OECF water and sewerage projects since 1985.