PHNOM PENH: The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its ongoing support for Cambodia’s water supply sector and expressed interest in expanding collaboration to development of green industry, research and innovation.

This commitment was highlighted during a meeting on August 28, 2024, between Mr. HEM Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, and an EU delegation led by Mr. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to Cambodia.

During the European Commissioner Urpilainen’s visit to Cambodia in March 2024, the EU pledged a €12 million grant to support Phase 3 of the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant, highlighting its dedication to improving Cambodia’s clean water infrastructure and services.

Mr. Igor Driesmans said the EU has allocated another €3.5 million grant to establish a training center dedicated for water supply professionals, contingent on co-financing from the Cambodian side. He also announced scholarships for Cambodian students to pursue studies in water engineering to further support the sector.

Discussions during the meeting also covered the need for a comprehensive water supply master plan and the establishment of new regulatory frameworks, including institutional setup to for further sector development.

Beyond water supply, the EU is keen to collaborate with MISTI on promoting energy efficiency in green factories, in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, to foster sustainable industrial practices in Cambodia. The delegation also expressed interest in supporting research and innovation aiming to collaborate with Khmer Enterprise to help local SMEs meet export market requirements.

Minister Vanndy welcomed these initiatives and requested EU technical assistance to conduct market research, which would enable MISTI and partners like Khmer Enterprise to strengthen Cambodia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and help local SMEs access high-value markets.

He shared with the delegation about the coordination between MISTI, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology and Ministry of Rural Development to ensure sustainable water sources, increase household water connections, and improve sector efficiency. The minister also highlighted MISTI’s efforts to develop supportive legal frameworks for research and development, including a draft sub-decree focused on R&D management.

Both sides expressed confidence in the strong Cambodia-EU partnership as a crucial foundation for advancing sustainable water sector development and promoting a greener, more innovative future for Cambodia.