The N$42 million grant by the Japanese government will be used to purchase equipment for vocational training at institutions of higher learning. This was revealed by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in an interview with NBC News on Friday. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during the bilateral meeting with President Hage Geingob, announced the N$42 million assistance, as part of his government’s commitment to help strengthen technical capacity of Namibia. The grant would thus be channelled towards skills development and innovation at the vocational training centres and other institutions of learning in Namibia. Government can rope in experts from Japan to train Namibians in engineering. Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah says this move complements existing agreements between the institutions of higher learning of the two countries. Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah says this time, however, private sector companies will be involved as well. Namibia and Japan will mark 30 years of diplomatic ties next year.