Japan-Cambodia Relations
Exchange of Notes
concerning three grant aid projects for the Kingdom of Cambodia, including the development of National Data Center
December 18, 2023
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
After the Japan-Cambodia summit meeting held in Tokyo on December 18, in the presence of Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E, Mr. Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the document exchange ceremony was held between Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, concerning three grant aid projects (totaling 4.3 billion yen) to Cambodia. The outline of each project is as follows.
- The Project for the Development of National Data Center towards Promoting E-Government【Grant Aid：up to 2.3 billion yen】
Against the backdrop of rapid economic growth, Cambodia formulated the "Cambodia Digital Government Policy 2022-2035" in January 2022 and is promoting the digitization of administrative services. This project aims to develop the electronic infrastructure and to improve administrative services of the government by providing equipment related to the construction of National Data Center that will be the core of Cambodia's digital government, and to support the development of digital economy and society in Cambodia.
Joint Statement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia issued in March last year confirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the digital field as a new field, and this project is line with the purpose of the statement. Furthermore, this project is a part of the "Development of Digital Economy and Society in Cambodia", which is the menu of cooperation agreed with the Kingdom of Cambodia as " Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative" launched in the Development Cooperation Charter revised in June of this year. This project is expected to contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relationship. - The Project for the Construction of a Hydrographic Survey Vessel for Preparing Electronic Navigational Chart【Grant Aid：up to 1.0 billion yen】
In Cambodia, demand for cargo is rapidly increasing due to rapid economic development, but the country does not have ships capable of conducting hydrographic surveys, which are essential for creating electronic navigational charts. This project provides the country with a hydrographic survey vessel and supports the establishment of a system to continuously update electronic navigational charts, thereby ensuring navigation safety in coastal areas including Sihanoukville Port which Japan has continuously supported. This will contribute to attracting main shipping routes to Cambodia and strengthening its international competitiveness.
In Joint Statement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia issued in March last year, both countries consented to fully cooperate to make Sihanoukville Port operate as a hub of principal ports in the region, and this project is line with the purpose of the statement. This project will support the strengthening of the international competitiveness of the port, which is essential for the expansion of the country's trade and strengthening connectivity, and is expected to support the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" . - The Project for the Development of Digital Management System of Water Supply Facilities in the Metropolitan Area【Grant Aid：up to 1 billion yen】
Due to the continuous development of Phnom Penh, the scope of management of Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority is expanding and becoming more complex, and making water supply management more effective and efficient is an urgent issue. This project aims to promote more effective and efficient water supply operations in the country by providing equipment and systems for integrating and centrally controlling data related to water transmission and distribution from water treatment plants owned by Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority. This will contribute to the country's economic and social development plans.
Joint Statement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia issued in March last year also confirmed the promotion of cooperation in the digital field. Since Japan has continuously supported the water supply sector in Cambodia and realized “Miracle of Phnom Penh”, this project, which utilizes Japan's digital technology to solve the problems faced by the water supply sector in Cambodia, is expected to contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
(Reference)Basic Data on the Kingdom of Cambodia
The Kingdom of Cambodia has an area of approximately 180,000 square kilometers (approximately 0.48 times Japan), a population of approximately 16.95 million people (2021, World Bank), and a gross national income (GNI) per capita of 1,550 USD (2021, World Bank).