Industry minister Hem Vanndy addresses the Cambodia Clean Water Forum in Phnom Penh on July 24. Industry ministry
The Cambodia Clean Water Forum, convened on July 24, brought together over 500 participants from both public and private sectors, including financial institutions (FIs), to discuss strategies for enhancing water supply services nationwide, according to a July 25 press release from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
The forum aimed to foster cooperation and address the pressing need for improved water services across the country.
Presiding over the event, industry minister Hem Vanndy highlighted the implementation of the Law on Clean Water Management and the enforcement of licensing requirements.
According to the press release, he stressed the importance of the private sector's role in providing services to the population.
"The government has given a large space for the private sector to service the populace, underscoring the importance of a reliable clean water supply for household consumption, public health, investment and industrial development," he was quoted as saying.
The ministry is currently evaluating water supply services across the country and negotiating with FIs to prioritise funding for the sector.
During the discussions, the Small and Medium Enterprise Bank of Cambodia (SME Bank) noted that water supply has become a key lending sector.
"We have already approved around $14 million in low-interest loans to support private water operators in their efforts to enhance water services,” a representative from the bank highlighted.
The forum featured presentations from FIs such as the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) and the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), which showcased financial products tailored for the water supply sector.
The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (GCCC) reported that it has guaranteed loans amounting to $201 million, with a portion allocated to clean water projects.
The release noted that private water operators requested government interventions at the forum, including compensation for damages from infrastructure projects and support in establishing more sustainable water sources.
Vanndy addressed the calls for government intervention, asserting, "The Cambodia Water Supply Association [CWA] plays a key role, and I urge public water utilities and all private water operators to step up their efforts in improving technical capacity and compliance to enhance water quality and access across the country."
