The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology and representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met for talks on June 27 to discuss long-term investment in projects that would support the ministry’s crucial functions. Following negotiations, the ADB prepared a new $200 million package of meteorology and water management projects.
The negotiations were attended by ministry secretary of state Chan Sinath and an ADB Central Headquarters delegation which included Alvin Lopez, senior natural resources and agriculture specialist, Long Piseth, senior project officer of the ADB in Cambodia, and Li Zhigang, head of the ADB mega project advisory team.
Sinath explained that negotiations were conducted on the recommendation of water resources minister Lim Kean Hor, who encouraged officials to devise new strategies to enhance the management of the ministry’s specialist areas.
He said the Ministry of Economy and Finance supported the water resource ministry’s attempt to secure funding that would guarantee its work would be secure, safe and sustainable.
He added that he considered the negotiations a success, with the ADB prepared to invest long-term.
“In addition, the ADB pledged to lead future tripartite discussions to maximise the ceilings of ADB’s capital, according to our performance in the water sector,” he said.
A ministry statement described how the ADB had agreed to earmark funds for the modernisation of the water sector in the Kingdom’s fourth economic pole in northwestern Cambodia.
It explained that these areas include dams in Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Oddar Meanchey and Kampong Thom provinces.
