TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) today announced that in November, it established the authorized public trust 'MOL Mauritius International Fund for Natural Environment Recovery and Sustainability' in Japan, as a part of its aid activities to promote the recovery and sustainability of the environment, and communities in the Republic of Mauritius.

The trust issued its first invitation for grant applications on December 1.

The fund was established with the objective of ensuring the sustainable growth of the nation's economy, promoting its culture through environmental activities, and supporting activities that contribute to local communities. MOL hopes to support the development of fisheries, tourism, and cultural activities, which are the foundation of the Mauritian economy, as well as recovery and preservation of its natural environment and diverse ecosystems such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, and protection and research on wild and migratory birds including endemic species.

MOL plans to contribute about 500 million yen to the fund in Japan, and will provide a total of about 800 million yen scale aid along with the MOL Charitable Trust which was established in Mauritius in June of 2021. The Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited, will operate the fund as a trustee, and grant recipients will be selected impartially by a steering committee made up of experts.

MOL will provide flexible and diverse support activities through the combination of the two funds; the fund in Japan will assist relatively long-term and large-scale projects, while the MOL Charitable Trust in Mauritius will support more community-focused measures.

It is MOL's intent that grant recipients will be selected fairly and impartially through the fund to provide widespread support to Mauritius, and that the MOL Group as a whole continues to engage with the nation and its people.

Outline of authorized public trust 'MOL Mauritius International Fund for Natural Environment Recovery and Sustainability' in Japan

Name of the trust

MOL Mauritius International Fund for Natural Environment Recovery and Sustainability

Support (targeting Mauritius)

Activities related to recovery and protection of the environment and ecosystems in Mauritius.

Examples: Restoration, preservation, and research measures related to mangrove forests, coral reefs, and wild birds, including rare species.

Activities related to development of communities such as fisheries, tourism, culture, and education in Mauritius.

Country of establishment

Japan

Trustor

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Amount of contribution

Assuming about 500 million yen (part of total 800 million yen in the plan announced in September 2020)

Trustee

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited

Trust manager

Tokyo Excel Law Firm/Toshiaki Shimoyamada

Members of steering committee

Chairman: Mariko Kawaguchi, Graduate School of Social Design Studies, Rikkyo University,

Members:

Eiichiro Adachi, The Japan Research Institute, Limited

Toyohiko Miyagi, Geo Customize Mapping Unit

Hiroya Yamano, National Institute for Environmental Studies

Taku Mizuta, Yamashita Institute for Ornithology

Naoki Tojo, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University

Fund website for Application of Project and Donation

https://www.mol-mauritius-fund.jp

Please refer to the website for application guidelines, application period, how to apply for grants, and so on.

Meanwhile, the fund can accept donations from individuals and corporations effective December 1. Japanese corporate donators are allowed tax incentives because the fund has been approved as an authorized public trust.

(C) 2021 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire