ABA Bank, the largest Cambodian commercial bank, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).

ABA made a charitable contribution of $200,000 to the Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action.

The fund will be used to boost mine clearance work to achieve the country’s goal of becoming a mine-free nation by 2025.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at ABA Bank Headquarters and was presided over by H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and First Vice-President of CMAA, and Askhat Azhikhanov, Chief Executive Officer of ABA Bank.

Commenting on the MoU, Azhikhanov said, “CMAA has saved many lives throughout the country from mines and explosive remnants of war.

“We at ABA are grateful for their hard work and fully supportive of the “Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action” initiative by the Prime Minister to achieve the goal of a mine-free Cambodia by 2025.

“We hope that our modest contribution will help this incredible work to provide safe access to land, infrastructure, irrigation, and clean water,” he added.

In addition to this donation, ABA will enable the opportunity for more than 2 million of ABA Mobile app users to donate to CMAA directly from the mobile app free of charge.

H.E. Ly Thuch (right) and Mr. Askhat Azhikhanov sign the Memorandum of Understanding between CMAA and ABA Bank for the Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action. SUPPLIED

Thuch said: “On behalf of Prime Minister, I would like to thank ABA Bank for its charitable contribution of US$200,000 to the national movement for demining funds initiated under the “Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action. Providing Safe Ground, Creating Smiles”.

“This MoU will significantly contribute to the Cambodian people to live in a mine-free country. People can join hands to help get rid of remnants of war and clear unexploded ordnance by donating to the CMAA ABA account.”

In line with its corporate social responsibility values, ABA Bank regularly participates in charity programmes to benefit the people and communities.

The bank recently donated US$200,000 to the Cambodian Red Cross for its humanitarian activities.

It also supported the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA) in providing free healthcare to rural communities and the Association of Samdech Kittiprittbandit Scholarship Students (AMT) for supporting bright and gifted Cambodians via scholarships and educational programmes with US$100,000 to each Association.

In April 2021, the bank donated US$1,000,000 to support the government’s efforts to stop the spread of Covid.

About ABA Bank

ABA Bank is Cambodia’s largest commercial bank by total assets, customer deposits, gross loans and net profit. As of 30 June, the bank’s assets reached US$8.5 billion.

With 81 branches, 23 ABA 24/7 spots, more than 900 self-banking machines and advanced online and mobile banking platforms, ABA Bank reaches out to millions of customers with an array of modern financial services.