PHNOM PENH: The Deputy Director General of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Dr. Im Jeong Hee, expressed appreciation for the good cooperation of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and reaffirmed KOICA's support of Cambodia as a high priority country for cooperation.

This affirmation was made during a working meeting between the KOICA Deputy Director General and the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Cambodian Committee for Rehabilitation and Development of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Chheang Yanara, on Monday, 28 March, at the office of the CDC.

In addition, Dr. Im Jeong Hee stated her high appreciation for the efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has accomplished great achievements and put in place effective measures to prevent Covid-19 with great success, leading to the reopening of the country in all fields.

She also expressed her pleasure to be on a mission in Cambodia and to inaugurate the Cambodia-Korea Friendship ENT Building of Ang Duong Hospital on Monday morning (28 March), which was built under a grant from the Republic of Korea.

Minister Delegate Chheang Yanara, extended a warm welcome to Dr. Im Jeong Hee and expressed his deep gratitude for the cooperation, solidarity and strong partnership of the Korean government, who has actively supported the socio-economic development of Cambodia.

He also expressed his highly appreciation for the active participation of KOICA, which has been continuing to provide grant funding for the implementation of a large number of projects, especially with the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the provision of medical equipment to fight against Covid-19.

In addition, the Minister informed the Korean side about the strategic framework and programs to restore and promote Cambodia's economic growth while living in the 'new normal' path for 2021-2023, which focuses on three pillars: 1) Rehabilitation of economic growth; 2) Reforms to build a solid foundation for growth, diversification and competitiveness; 3) Strengthening sustainable and environmental resilience.

Between 1991 to 2021, KOICA has provided approximately US $316 million in grant funding to Cambodia in four key priority areas: education, transport, regional development (rural), water management and public health. It is noteworthy that the amount of funding provided by the Republic of Korea to Cambodia has increased in the last decade, and this amount is expected to continue increasing in the future.