The European Union (EU) has allocated $1.5 billion to implement a joint development cooperation strategy for Cambodia from 2021 to 2027, a press release said.
The release stated that the budget would be used for projects that improve digitalisation in Cambodia and support the government to ensure compatibility, sustainability of ICT solutions in alignment with relevant international norms and standards, particularly regarding data protection.
The package was released after a group of senior officials of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) discussed the 2021-2027 Joint European Strategy (JES) for Development Cooperation with Cambodia with the representatives of the EU.
The meeting was co-chaired by Chhieng Yanara, Secretary-General of the Cambodia Rehabilitation and Development Board of CDC and Carmen Moreno, EU Ambassador to Cambodia and attended by officials from 29 government bodies, ambassadors, diplomatic officials and representatives of about 10 European Partner countries.
Yanara said he welcomed the strategy, which ensures a greater impact of European Partners’ cooperation in Cambodia and expressed sincere appreciation for their contribution to the development of the country, while Moreno said the JES would also be important for the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Global Gateway Strategy.
“JES will support the European Partners and Cambodia, its government, civil society and private sector, to enhance their connectivity in a sustainable way, with highest social and environmental standards,” said Moreno.
Jacques Pellet, French Ambassador to Cambodia who attended the meeting, said in his opening remark that JES would also support the efforts to eradicate poverty in all forms in the country and uphold the 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
“The new strategy will contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals and support Cambodia in its efforts to achieve higher connectivity with Asean, as well as improved regional and global integration,” Pellet said.
The French ambassador added that the new strategy is fully aligned with Cambodia’s Rectangular Strategy IV and with European Partners’ global priorities, including promoting the green transition, enhanced multilateralism and respect for a rule-based global order.
Bilateral trade between Cambodia and the EU was valued at $4.98 billion in 2021, up 4.6 percent from a year earlier. Main commodities exported from the country to EU were agricultural products, while key items the Kingdom imported from EU include construction materials, food and beverages, electronics and pharmaceutical products.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
