(Phnom Penh)
On Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), His Excellency CHHIENG YANARA, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CRDB/CDC) held a policy dialogue meeting virtually with Mr. RHO Hyunjun, Country Director of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Cambodia. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss on KOICA’s Development Cooperation and Partnership in Cambodia.
His Excellency expressed his appreciation to the strong partnership and support from the Government and the people of Republic of Korea contributed to socio-economic development in Cambodia. His Excellency also highly appreciated KOICA’s contribution to support various grant aid projects and especially the provision of medical supplies to support the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC)’s effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia. In addition, His Excellency informed the meeting about the Strategic Framework and Programs for Economic Recovery in the context of living with COVID-19 in a new normal (2021-2023) which focuses on 3 main pillars: 1). Recovery of Economic Growth 2). Reforming to build a solid foundation for growth, diversification and competitiveness, 3). Building Cambodia’s Resilience to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
With a great pleasure to undertake his mission in Cambodia, Mr. RHO Hyunjun expressed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation and partnership with the RGC’s ministries/institutions and CDC and further committed to expanding the cooperation and partnership between the two countries. Mr. RHO Hyunjun highly valued the RGC under the wise and honourable leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the successful implementation of effective government measures and intervention to address COVID-19 pandemic and reopen the country across all sectors. The Country Director of KOICA reaffirmed his commitment in delivering extensive support to Cambodia as one of the highest prioritised country. From 1991 until 2021, KOICA has provided approximately USD 316 million and currently KOICA has 16 projects estimated around USD 126,5 million. KOICA also has provided others development cooperation including dispatching experts, volunteers providing short-term training and long-term scholarship program, partnership program with Civil Society Organizations and the donation of medical supplies contributed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Mr. RHO Hyunjun informed that in addition to the establishment of Preah Angduong Eye Hospital Project, the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) centre is being constructed under the KOICA grant aid project to increase the capacity to treat ear, nose and throat diseases with a total budget of USD 8 millionand it is expected to complete in late March 2022.
In conclusion, His Excellency CHHIENG YANARA reiterated his sincere appreciation to KOICA for the continued support to the RGC in addressing the COVID-19 response and recovery through the implementation of the Strategic Framework and Programs for Economic Recovery (2021-2023).