Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Japanese ambassador Masahiro Mikami are set to sign an exchange of letters and related documents on Japanese aid for two projects with a total budget of $41 million on March 2.

A February 28 press release from the ministry’s information department said: “The first project is phase 2 of the Integrated Mine Clearance and Landmine Victim Assistance which has funding of JPY 2,000,000,000 [approximately $17 million].

“The second project is for the expansion of the water supply system in Svay Rieng province.”

According to the ministry, the grant extended by the Japanese government will crucially contribute to Cambodia’s efforts to stimulate socio-economic development as well as further enhance the existing good cooperation and bonds of traditional friendship between the two countries.

Last week, a total of nearly $1.8 million was provided by Japan to promote community development through the clearance of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance, another two projects run by Japanese NGOs.

In the past 30 years, nearly three million mines and explosive remnants of war have been discovered and destroyed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, and the government is committed to its strategic plan of becoming mine-free by the end of 2025.