The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has asked the World Bank to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and close partnership through technical assistance to improve the capacity of officials and help in developing and improving Cambodia’s infrastructure sector.

The request came at a meeting on November 16 between public works minister Sun Chanthol and Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Representative for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Chanthol welcomed and congratulated Mariam Sherman on her recent appointment and thanked the organisation for its support and good relations on rebuilding and developing Cambodia’s physical infrastructure.

He also requested the World Bank’s continued assistance in efforts to prevent overloaded vehicles as they damaged roads.

The minister went on to ask the World Bank to review its technical assistance on several projects, including capacity building for officials at the ministry, cooperation with site studies, determining budgets for building durable roads and the master plan for nationwide wastewater treatment.

Sherman responded by complimenting the ministry on its good cooperation with the World Bank in implementing the Second Road Asset Management Project (RAMP II), including the improvement project for national roada 3, 4, and 7.

She also mentioned wastewater management and green transportation that uses renewable energy in Siem Reap.

At the meeting, Chanthol touched on the formulation of policies and the government’s full support for electric vehicles (EVs) as well as the establishment of nationwide EV infrastructure.

“Especially battery charging stations, spare parts, service centres, trained staff and other related services to attract Cambodians to consider renewable energy vehicles instead of fuel-powered ones,” he said.