CAMBODIA collected a US$52-million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China, to develop an irrigation project on the Steung Sreng river in northwest Cambodia, according to a press release yesterday.

“It is expected, after the completion, Steung Sreng basin will be able to cover 25,000 hectares of farm land in rainy season and 3,750 hectares in dry season,” it said.

The project is aimed to irrigate areas in Oddar Meancheay, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meancheay provinces. Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon and bank Deputy President Zhu Hongje signed the loan agreement yesterday.

The loan was originally announced as part of $400-million loan package agreed to in December 2009.