PHNOM PENH: Cambodia, once plagued by civil war, is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with a growth rate of 7.5% and an active military contributor to its mission to keep the peace of the United Nations.

This was stated by the First Deputy Chairman of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), Senior Minister Ly Thuch, on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chairman of the Mine Authority, while presiding over the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Mine Authority, represented by CMAA Secretary General Prum Sopheak Mongkul, and Shathel Fahs of US-based humanitarian organization Platinum East, on Monday, 28 March.

The signing of the new MoU is intended to strengthen partnership and cooperation, to support the development of innovative technologies, and to provide training and technical support for demining activities, to enhance the regional and global effectiveness of the humanitarian mine action community.

Senior Minister Ly Thuch said that the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Cambodia have caused serious problems and hindered national development, with thousands of innocent people who lost their lives on land they considered to be safe after decades of war and displacement. He said that their lives would not have been lost if Cambodia had the technical skills, equipment and tools and more advanced technology to conduct rapid demining activities across the country.

The Senior Minister added that Cambodia, a country once plagued by civil war, has now become one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with an economic growth rate of 7.5%, a significant military contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Despite its success and reputation, Cambodia still needs international assistance to further modernize its technical skills, make demining innovations, gather detection equipment and standardize its operators in terms of knowledge and professionalism. The Mine Authority plays an important role between the Royal Government of Cambodia and donors.

The CMAA is proud to expand its cooperation with all stakeholders and key players in the sector to diversify support networks. The Senior Minister believes that Platinum East, a professional technology demining organization, will make field demining operations safer and faster for Cambodians.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Senior Minister hopes to see the development of new skills and technologies in the field of mine action that enable deminers to perform their duties to the best of their ability and it is a great achievement for Cambodia as a leading country.