Cambodia and Japan Saturday in principle agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation on infrastructure and connect maritime space through participation in the design and development of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in the economic field and attract Japanese investment.
Key issues pertaining to economic development cropped up during the discussion between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko at the Peace Palace.
Kamikawa apprised the Prime Minister on the progress of Japan-Cambodia relations with mutual trust from the process of finding peace and contributing to the development of Cambodia.
“For the future, the Government of Japan will continue to strengthen and expand relations and cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks,” Mr Hun Manet wrote on social media.
Welcoming Kamikawa and the Japanese delegation to Cambodia, Mr Hun Manet thanked the government and the people of Japan for their continued support for Cambodia’s socio-economic development.
Both leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen and expand cooperation in the economic field and attract investment from Japan.
The Prime Minister specifically referred to the good relations between Cambodia and Japan saying that the ties have reached a new height after the two countries upgraded their relationship to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, as well as the launch of new initiatives to strengthen and expand cooperation.
According to the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Hun Manet and Japanese Foreign Minister also discussed to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation through new approaches in many areas, including strengthening and expanding cooperation on infrastructure, cooperation in connecting maritime space through the participation in the design and development of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. and continuing to promote the strengthening and expansion of cooperation in the field of demining.
Later in the day, Kamikawa also met with President of Senate Hun Sen at the Senate Palace.
According to the press release of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on June 6, Kamikawa said that Japan would like to cooperate with Cambodia in the development of social infrastructure, including water and digital infrastructure, maritime connectivity and humanitarian mine action, with an emphasis on human resource development and the utilization of Japanese technology to improve Cambodia’s sustainability and co-create social value.
Kamikawa also held a meeting with Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Saturday evening.
“The two ministers also praised the strong economic ties through the investment of Japanese companies in Cambodia and Minister Kamikawa promised to encourage more Japanese investors to invest in Cambodia,” said a MFAIC release.
Kamikawa reiterated her commitment to contribute to the development of Cambodia and added that the Japanese government will provide approximately JPY 8 billion (around $2 million) in financing for Cambodia to expand its electricity network in Phnom Penh.
Both foreign ministers signed and exchanged notes concerning a yen loan project of approximately $59.6 million for the implementation of the National Road No.5 and a grant aid project of approximately $2.7 million for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship to support young administrative officials to study in Japan.
Dr Sam Seun, a policy analyst from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, applauded the Cambodian-Japanese relationship for its continued growth and thanked the Japanese Foreign Minister for visiting Cambodia.
Talking to Khmer Times, Seun said, “Cambodia should further improve the investment environment so that it could easily attract foreign investors to the country.”
