Kampot (FN), July 23 - Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said that the cooperation between Japan and other development partners on infrastructure development in Cambodia is still ongoing amid the statement of the opposition, claiming that Cambodia’s development partners withdrew infrastructure projects in response to political situation in Cambodia.

The minister’s clarification was made in response to Fresh News’ interview during the inauguration of rehabilitation of National Road 41 on Sunday.

"There is no aids cut. Japan continues to assist us in expanding our roads and ports. We are studying a new expansion of International Port at Sihanoukville and that Japan has agreed to loan us about $210 million at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen," said Sun Chanthol.

"Japan is also working with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Phnom Penh Capital Hall to build an 18-kilometer sky railway. The study might finish by 2019 to learn whether we should choose road expansion or sky railway to bring about interest faster and cheaper. It seems that Automated Guideway Transit is a modern one like in Japan and that the Japanese side has sent people to study immediately,” he added.

According to Sun Chanthol, World Bank has provided a loan of $200 million to the Royal Government of Cambodia last week to upgrade the quality of National Road 4 and education improvement. Ministry of Public Works and Transport is working with other development partners such as KOICA and ADB on infrastructure without termination or cut in aid. Cambodia also plans to install a sewage system in Sihanoukville next year along with other rehabilitation projects under ADB assistance.
=FRESH NEWS