(Phnom Penh): On Monday (Oct. 13), at the Peace Palace, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

During the meeting, Tanaka Akihiko noted Cambodia's significant progress since his last working visit 10 years ago. He reaffirmed JICA's continued support for numerous cooperation initiatives, including demining and the expansion of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. He highly commended Cambodia’s Mine Action Centre (CMAC) for providing humanitarian demining training to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. He also mentioned the provision of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans for the Nirodh Water Supply System Expansion Project and the Phnom Penh City Power Transmission and Distribution System Expansion Project (Phase III), noting that the agreements would be signed this afternoon.

In response, Samdech Thipadei expressed his satisfaction with the progress of Cambodia-Japan relations and cooperation and highly valued Japan's contribution to Cambodia’s peace-building process and its socio-economic development to date.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei highlighted that Cambodia-Japan relations have reached the level of a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and expressed his confidence that this cooperation will be further promoted and strengthened. He voiced his support and gratitude to JICA for contributing to the foundations of Cambodia's economic development through demining, human resource development, and infrastructure development. He also shared Cambodia's vision for developing its coastal region, including transforming Sihanoukville province into an industrial zone and a regional logistic hub.

Both sides also discussed cooperation in information technology and digitalisation, as well as the continued promotion of people-to-people exchanges.

Samdech Thipadei encouraged JICA to continue its discussions and collaboration with relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions to ensure the success of these projects. On that occasion, Tanaka thanked Cambodia for being the first country to welcome the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). In return, Samdech Thipadei extended his congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the JOCV program in Cambodia this year.
=FRESH NEWS