1.   Aviation accords and financial assistance programmes were signed between the two states.

2.   During the first half of the year, GDA reorganised several core business assistance programmes.

3.   He said some universities already had financial assistance programmes but it was up to individual institutions to come up with additional aid.

4.   Importantly, the fund raising would also bolster the Asian wherewithal to contribute to future IMF assistance programmes, according to his plan.

5.   In more practical terms, this affects the nature whereby technology is transferred through technology contracts, technical agreements, technical assistance programmes and joint-venture partnerships.

6.   The IMF had, reportedly, voiced reservations to the fund, fearing that it would undermine conditions attached under its economic assistance programmes.

7.   The most tangible offer of help came from Japan, which offered cheaper loans under its official development assistance programme.

8.   A special call went to those countries that have produced and supplied mines to accept responsibility and help with clearance and victim assistance programmes.

9.   But the US continued to sell non-lethal equipment under an on-going limited military assistance programme for Sri Lanka, said Raphel without elaborating.