AKP Phnom Penh, June 26, 2026 -- The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Cambodia Office on June 25 signed two Financing Agreements totaling approximately US$171.3 million. 

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, under the presidency of H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and Mr. SANUI Kazumasa, Chief Representative of the JICA Cambodia Office. 

According to a joint press release, the Grant Agreement for the Project for the Establishment of the Teacher Education College in Kampong Cham Province amounts to approximately US$7.5 million. 

The project aims to improve the capacity of teachers trained at a Teacher Education College (TEC) in Kampong Cham province by providing the necessary educational facilities and equipment to upgrade existing teacher education institutions into the TEC. 

The project includes the construction of two buildings: a STEM building for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and an assembly hall. Both the newly constructed and existing facilities will be equipped with essential educational resources and equipment. 

Meanwhile, the Loan Agreement for the Southwest Phnom Penh Irrigation and Drainage Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (III) amounts to approximately US$163.8 million. It aims to improve agricultural productivity and mitigate flood damage in rural and deprived areas by rehabilitating and improving existing irrigation and drainage facilities. 

This will contribute to raising living standards in the Kingdom of Cambodia across two sub-projects – Roleang Chrey and Kandal Stung-Bati – in the target provinces of Kampong Speu, Takeo, and Kandal. 

The signing of these agreements further demonstrates the strong and longstanding cooperation between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of Japan through its extensive Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the form of grant aid and concessional loans. 

Cambodia-Japan relations and cooperation have been further strengthened following the elevation of bilateral ties from a "Strategic Partnership" to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in 2023, paving the way for expanded cooperation and the development of new project pipelines aligned with the policies and strategies of the Royal Government of Cambodia. 

As one of the key development partners of Cambodia, the Government of Japan, through JICA, remains firmly committed to strengthening its long-term strategic partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia and further supporting the socio-economic development of the country through ODA schemes, including grant aid, concessional loans, and technical cooperation.

By Phal Sophanith