PHNOM PENH: A policy dialogue on development cooperation for 2022 and 2023 was held between the Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CRDB/CDC) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on Tuesday.

The policy dialogue was conducted virtually over videoconference under the chairmanship of the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary General of the CRDB/CDC, Chhieng Yanara, and the Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, Hyunjun Rho.

A press release issued by KOICA states that the main purpose of this dialogue was to discuss KOICA's activities in Cambodia (including past achievements and future plans), KOICA’s ongoing projects and future projects for the next two years, Country Training Programs for Cambodia between 2022-2025, and a request survey of new projects for 2024. Also discussed was the preparations for the inauguration ceremony of a new ENT Center in Preah Ang Duong Hospital.

Minister Chhieng Yanara expressed his gratitude to KOICA, and the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, for continuously supporting Cambodia’s socioeconomic development through the implementation of projects and programs, and for also supporting Cambodia in the fight against Covid-19 by helping to facilitate economic recovery. He said that he highly valued all the achievements made by KOICA.

The KOICA Country Director, Hyunjun Rho, in return highly praised the Royal Government of Cambodia for its efforts and achievements in Cambodia’s development, especially the handling and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the very successful vaccination program which has allowed many Cambodian people and foreigners, including Koreans currently living in the Kingdom, to receive the vaccine.

KOICA has provided a total of approximately US $316 million in grant aid since 1991, to assist the socioeconomic development of Cambodia with a focus on four priority sectors, including, Water Management and Public Health, Education, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Transportation. In 2022, KOICA's estimated grant aid to Cambodia is expected to be around US $20.7 million.

KOICA has actively supported the Royal Government of Cambodia in combating Covid-19 in the country, and has also contributed to addressing the impact the pandemic has had on the Kingdom since 2020. KOICA is set to provide 10 more ambulances and over 80,000 Covid-19 rapid test kits to the Ministry of Health of Cambodia in 2022.

^{PHOTO: AKP}