Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Komura Masahiro, Japanese vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, oversaw the March 13 signing ceremony of concessional loan agreements totalling 21.1 billion yen (approximately $154 million).
Japan has provided $154 million to support the implementation of the Cambodian government’s Regional Hospital Development project, part of its efforts to promote the Kingdom’s socio-economic development.
Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Komura Masahiro, Japanese vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, oversaw the March 13 signing ceremony of concessional loan agreements totalling 21.1 billion yen (approximately $154 million).
The ceremony was held at the foreign ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh, according to a ministry press release.
“The provision of these concessional loans underscores Japan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to accelerate socio-economic development.
“This support will also contribute to the strengthening of the long-lasting ties and close cooperation between the two countries, which was upgraded to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ in 2023,” it said.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said the signing is very important for the Kingdom’s health sector, one of the government’s priority areas, and would have a direct impact on the lives of its citizens.
“Japan’s assistance in the field of health is a perfect response to Cambodia’s current and future needs,” he said.
Phea added that the development of the health sector is necessary as it remains limited in some areas. Assistance from development partners is necessary to ensure improvements in quality.
At the same time, Phea described how Cambodia-Japan ties have deepened ever since their relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted an increase in the exchange of visits between senior leaders, as well as abundant support in the international arena.
He said Japan’s willingness to help Cambodia appears to be deepening with each passing day.
“I believe Japan must increase multi-sectoral cooperation, in accordance with the level of strategic partnership. It should do this through people-to-people exchanges, scholarships, tourism and other sectors,” he added.
On March 13, Prime Minister Hun Manet explained that phase one of his government’s Pentagonal Strategy focused on the development of human capital, which is indispensable for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He said that healthy human resources are a valuable national asset and the foundation for socio-economic development.
“Improving the health and well-being of the people is one of the five priorities that the government is focused on. One of our strategic goals is to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of non-communicable diseases,” said Manet.
