Japan has agreed to fund a power rehabilitation project for several Phnom Penh suburbs, the Japanese Embassy has announced. The grant, worth about $710,000, is the first financial aid commitment since Cambodia’s new government was formed last month, the embassy said.
Japanese Ambassador Masaki Saito and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Nam Hong met on Thursday to discuss Japan’s grant for the project, which is the second phase of an electricity rehabilitation program.
Phase 2 will see the expansion and rehabilitation of the electricity distribution network in Chroy Changvar, Pochentong, Russei Keo and Takhmau. According to an embassy statement, the four areas have seen a strong growth in demand from industries and residents. More than 27,000 people are expected to benefit. It is not clear when work will begin.
The first phase of the power project began in 1993. Japan spent $38.5 million in 1993 and 1994 on a new power plant and expansion of the underground and overhead lines. The plant opened in April 1996.
Additionally, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand agreed last Thursday to extend a “Tripartite Cooperation Project” until March of 1999.
The extension, worth $1.2 million, will be spent on rural development, including public health, agriculture, animal husbandry and fish farming, in Takeo and Kompong Speu provinces.
Since 1993, Japan has provided more than $11 million for the project. The UN Development Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees are also involved in the project.
