Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 21 - The European Union (EU) aided approximately USD 130 million for two fishery projects in Cambodia.

The two European projects that support the Cambodian fisheries sector include (1) Promotion of Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Agriculture: Fisheries and Livestock (CAPFISH-Aquaculture), which was signed between the Royal Government of Cambodia with the EU and the French Agency for Development (AFD) on the 27 November 2017 for 6 years (2018-2023), and (2) Promotion of Inclusive and Sustainable Fisheries: CAPFISH-Capture, which was signed by the Royal Government and the EU on 1 July 2019 for 5 years (2019-2023).

Speaking at the closing ceremony and launching of the new program, held Wednesday in Phnom Penh, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhorn appreciated the EU for its support to the development of Cambodia since the kingdom was in poverty until she got absolute peace and democracy.

“The European Union is also delighted that its support to Cambodia’s fisheries and livestock sectors has helped to reduce poverty and promote economic development for Cambodians,” according to the EU to Cambodia Facebook post on Tuesday.

“With the support of the EU-funded programme, aquaculture production increased significantly from 90,000 tons in 2013 to 250,000 tons in 2018, while capture fisheries stood at 600,000 tons (2018). Moreover, livestock has grown from 37.9 million heads in 2014 to 44.3 million in 2018, which has directly benefited 3,805 Village Animal Health Workers (VAHWs) and 18,834 small producers,” it added.
=FRESH NEWS