TOKYO: The Japanese government on Tuesday signed an agreement with Turkey for a loan of $300 million to help Turkey fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiro Suzuki inked the agreement in Ankara with Serhat Koksal, Acting General Director of the Directorate General of Foreign Economic Relations.

The aid comes as Turkey has seen its finances falter, with restrictions on travel and meeting people hurting the country’s economy. The loan is expected to contribute to the sustainable growth of the country’s industry and economy by providing emergency funds to support small and micro enterprises in Turkey.

Japan says it will “continue to support vulnerable countries to lead the efforts of the international community toward the earliest possible calming of the novel coronavirus Diseases, and the recovery, stability and sustainable development of the international community and economy.”