The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has asked Japan to keep contributing to overall human resource development, and potentially support the Techo Sen Institute of Public Works and Transport (TSI) in its training of Cambodian engineers in specific skills.

The request came during a meeting between Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol and Japanese ambassador Atsushi Ueno on March 17, the ministry noted in a statement.

Chanthol briefed Ueno on achievements in cooperation between the two countries on key priority development projects, such as the Sihanoukville port’s new container terminal, the widening and upgrade of National Road 5, similar logistics ventures, and other undertakings, the statement said.

Japan has provided assistance for studies on wastewater treatment facilities as well as plans linked to the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), and has donated at least one road stabiliser to the public works ministry, it added.

For reference, a CSP is a broad, detailed, dynamic, long-term, result-oriented agreement between signatories that affirms a high degree of maturity in relations as well as mutual trust and commitment. In 2010, Cambodia and China entered into such a partnership, and trade between the two countries has increased ever since, as has mutual support for international politics.