In response to a request from the Royal Government of Cambodia, and with a view to strengthening friendly and cooperative relations, the government of Japan has decided to extend its ODA Grant Aid to Cambodian government up to the amount of about $2.7 million, and its Yen Loan up to approximately $227 million, according to a statement from the Embassy of Japan.
Notes to this effect were exchanged between Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and MIKAMI Masahiro, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on 6 November 2020.
The statement read that the grant aid for the “Economic and Social Development Programme” provides around $2.7 million to the National Police and the General Department of Immigration at the Ministry of Interior for the procurement of equipment.
This cooperation aims to strengthen the capacity of those institutions. The equipment will include vehicles for security use, such as the guarding of very important persons, and X-ray inspection machines for use at land borders. It is expected that this equipment will help ensure large-scale events, such as upcoming international conferences, will be held safely and run smoothly.
Japan has also supported the “COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan” which has provided financial support of approximately $227 million to Cambodia, which is being affected by the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus.
The statement stated that co-financed with Asia Development Bank, the loan is intended to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, maintain and activate economic and social activities that will help to protect the economy, and preserve social protection.
This highly concessional loan is in addition to the grant of more than 5 billion yen (equivalent to $45 million) in response to COVID-19, which provides for the rehabilitation of Siem Reap Referral Hospitals, medical equipment across the country, and technical assistance.
“Through the effective utilisation of this yen loan, it is expected that Cambodia’s economy and society will recover quickly due to the strengthening of the medical system and social support for the poor and vulnerable, and the provision of financial support to entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized enterprises,” the statement said.
“As Cambodia continues to develop its economy it is important that the quality of life of each and every citizen of the country improves alongside national economic development. Japan would like to continue to support the Royal Government’s efforts by utilising a variety of economic and social development schemes,” according to the Embassy of Japan.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
