Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Tadashi Nagai said today that the Japanese government will give a donation worth RSD 235,440,000 for construction of the Gerontology centre in Valjevo, which is expected to begin in the summer of 2008.
The total investment is worth RSD 373 million, and the balance will be provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the local self-government.
Nagai said that so far Japan invested in Serbia over €200 million through donations, technical assistance and staff training.
Serbian Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic said that there are approximately 1.2 million people over 65, but that 38 old people's homes have capacities for 8,300 persons.
That means that these capacities cover only 1% of people in the third stage of life, while according to European standards that figure should be 4%.
The Gerontology centre, which will be built in the suburb of Gradac in Valjjevo, will span 5,500 square metres and will include rooms to house the elderly, an out patient department and a care department.