More than a year after plans to ramp up training in the aviation sector were announced, Cambodia and South Korea have finally signed off on an agreement detailing the project.

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Baek Sook Hee, a representative of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), pushed the deal through at the Office of the Council of Ministers on Friday.

Under the plan, KOICA will provide $10.1 million for the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC), which is set to open at the eastern compound of Phnom Penh International Airport in 2015.

“The project … is very crucial in assisting Cambodia to acquire the knowledge and technology necessary to improve its aviation industry,” Ek Tha, deputy director of the press department at the Council of Ministers, said.

Chea Aun, under-secretary of state of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation as well as the project manager for the centre, said that it will provide thorough training for ground staff, flight crews and air traffic controllers.

In the second half of 2015, South Korea will send experts and instructors to conduct the training.

KOICA could not be reached for comment yesterday.