Synopsis: Cambodia is committed to improving water accessibility and infrastructure development, ultimately contributing to national development and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Marubeni, a prominent Japanese conglomerate with extensive global experience in water supply services, Tuesday expressed strong interest in supporting Cambodia’s infrastructure needs safe and affordable drinking water in both urban and expanding rural areas.
Details to the effect were discussed during a meeting between Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Marubeni delegation in Phnom Penh.
Both sides discussed the company’s interest in investing in Cambodia’s water supply sector, with a focus on contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.1 – achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.
Marubeni officials presented the company’s global portfolio in water supply services, including operations that serve 10 million people in Metro Manila (Philippines), 2 million in Chile and 1 million in other regions.
They expressed strong interest in supporting Cambodia’s infrastructure needs by applying similar models in both urban and expanding rural areas.
Vanndy welcomed the initiative, emphasising the government’s openness to responsible private investment and its strategy to expand household-level piped water coverage while moving from small-scale and short-term to strategic and sustainable solutions.
“Water supply is one of the most secure sectors to operate in. While it may not be lucrative, it carries significant social importance,” he said.
“Rural today does not mean rural forever. We are expecting to see more pipe connections at the household level, and there is a clear trend for us to expand public utility coverage beyond urban areas,” Vanndy added.
The Minister outlined Cambodia’s ongoing water sector reform, which includes encouraging consolidation, improving quality and service delivery, and expanding coverage.
The Cambodian government has made clean water development one of its priority goals for the urban population.
These achievements demonstrate Cambodia’s commitment to improving water accessibility and infrastructure development, ultimately contributing to national development and achieving SDGs.
He also encouraged Marubeni to think long-term by factoring in demand for the rising population and industrial development, as well as to explore flexible partnership models, including the wholesale of treated water to public utilities with investment in treatment plants and network infrastructure.
Marubeni Corporation operates globally across a diverse range of business sectors, including machinery, energy, chemicals, food, textiles, metals and minerals, and more.
