The government of Japan has approved almost $18 million in grants to expand a major Phnom Penh water supply system and establish a land registration network.

Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn took part in a March 25 exchange of notes ceremony for the two projects.

The first grant, of $13.3 million, will expand the Phum Prek Water Supply System’s treatment facilities. Ambassador Ueno described the system as the “miracle of Phnom Penh” during the ceremony.

He explained that the project involves the construction of a new treatment plant. With a capacity of 45,000 cubic metres per day, it will help to meet growing demand for clean water in Phnom Penh. The project symbolises the long-standing cooperation between Japan and Cambodia,” he added.

The second, of $4.32 million, will support the “Project for the Establishment of a Nationwide Continuously Operating Reference Station Network”.

The network aims to strengthen administrative services related to land registration and land transactions throughout the Kingdom.

“Through this project, we will develop a network called Continuously Operating Reference Stations, or “CORS” for short, that will enable rapid surveying and highly accurate positioning. We will also equip a data centre to manage the information that is generated, in an integrated manner,” said Ueno.

“For many years, Japan and Cambodia have built a strong bond based on trust and friendship. I sincerely hope that these projects will further improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people,” he added.

A foreign ministry statement noted that the assistance for the above two projects “clearly reflects Japan's steadfast commitment to supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development”.