Japan Provides US$ 31 Million Grant for Development in Cambodia

BY BUITH REAKSMEY KONGKEA

In response to a request from the Royal Government of Cambodia and with a view for strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and the Royal Government of Cambodia and to promote and address climate change with special emphasis on the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change as well as on the improvement of access to clean energy, the Government of Japan has decided to extend its ODA Grant Aid of up to (¥ 2,859,000,000), approximately (US$ 31,800,000).

The Exchange Note for Japan’s ODA Grant Aid was signed by H.E. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Mr. KUROKI Masafumi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia. The signing ceremony was under the high presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on March 18th.

The Japan’s ODA Grant Aid is aimed at contributing to the implementation of the four (4) following projects: ¥ 239,000,000 for the Project for Construction of Neak Loeung Bridge; ¥ 720,000,000 for the Project of the Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System; ¥ 1,000,000,000 and for the Program of Improvement of Capabilities to Cope with Natural Disasters Caused by Climate Change; and ¥ 900,000,000 for the Forest Preservation Program in Cambodia, said officials of Cambodian and Japan’s governments

The Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon said that Japan continues to be the top donor, assisting Cambodia in every possible way in its efforts to reduce poverty in Cambodia.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia is very pleased to receive the grant from the government of Japan via the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia. We hope this Japanese grant will help the Royal Government of Cambodia in developing the country as well as to accelerate social and economic development and poverty reduction in the future,” he said.

He added that these three projects are expected to play a role in developing the rehabilitation, infrastructures and economic growth, especially in coping with climate change issues in Cambodia.

The Japanese Ambassador KUROKI Masafumi continued to say that the total amount of grant assistance for these four projects is ¥ 2,859,000, 000.

The Project for Construction of Neak Loeung Bridge will enable to make the detailed design of the proposed bridge, and the Mekong River crossing point at Neak Loeung has become a bottleneck with regard to the transportation of goods and people, he said, adding that the construction of Neak Loeung bridge is anticipated to resolve the bottleneck on National Road No. 1 and to contribute towards enhancement of Southeast Economic Corridor which would ultimately lead to the promotion of Mekong region.

He stated that second, the three grant assistances dealing with the environment are anticipated to play a role in addressing the climate change issues in Cambodia. This assistance is made under the “Hatoyama Initiative” on climate change, and highly appreciating the prompt association of Cambodia with the Copenhagen Accord. Moreover, these projects are granted as a part of the “Decade towards a Great Mekong” initiative, which was agreed at the Mekong-Japan Submit Meeting in November 2009.

The Project for Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System aimed to equip Phum Prek Water Treatment Plant at the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority with a solar electricity generating system and contribute to a reduction in green house gas emission. The Forest Preservation Program tackles deforestation and degradation of forests by measuring forest inventories with satellite remote sensors utilizing leading Japanese technology. The Program for Improvement of Capabilities to Cope with Natural Disasters Caused by Climate Change aimed to prevent floods and drought by granting heavy equipment to be used for the rehabilitation and construction of flood protection dikes.

“On behalf of the Government of Japan, I expect to see continued close cooperation between our two governments, through the implementation of these four projects,” he said. “I strongly hope that the assistance from the people and the government of Japan are committed today and will help accelerate Cambodia’s economic and social development, and will benefit for the people in the Kingdom of Cambodia,” he added. ////

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