Phnom Penh: Australia's support for Cambodia's public investment management reforms continues, with a focus on diversifying funding options for major infrastructure projects. Recently, a group of 15 Cambodian officials led by Secretary of State Meas Soksensan from the Ministry of Economy and Finance visited Melbourne and Sydney.

Learning from Australia: This study visit aimed to learn about Australia's experience in leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure development. The delegates engaged with Australian experts, met key stakeholders like Austrade and infrastructure authorities, and visited major projects like the Port of Melbourne and Sydney Metro stations.

Key Learnings:

Discussions with experts: The delegates gained insights from Austrade, Victoria's Department of Treasury, and major private investors, exploring potential avenues for diversifying Cambodia's infrastructure funding landscape.

Meeting with infrastructure agencies: Meetings with Transport for NSW and Infrastructure NSW provided practical knowledge on managing and delivering PPP projects.

Site visits: The delegates saw firsthand how PPPs have financed and modernized key infrastructure like ports, convention centers, and metro systems, gaining valuable perspectives for Cambodia's development plans.

Stronger Partnership: By facilitating this study visit, Australia demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Cambodia and supporting the country's infrastructure development goals. The knowledge and connections gained by the delegates are expected to contribute to Cambodia's efforts in attracting private investment and achieving sustainable infrastructure growth.