Japan on Wednesday released more details of an $8.7 million electricity distribution network in Svay Rieng, Koh Kong and Banteay Meanchey provinces.

The lines are being installed under the project to improve power distribution in the Southern Economic Corridor – which links Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Bangkok – and aims to address high costs and delays in cross-border trade, according to a statement put out by the Japanese Embassy. The deal was signed on Wednesday by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhon and Yuji Kumamaru, Japan’s ambassador to Cambodia.

“Although electricity is currently supplied in the areas where this project is implemented, the electricity supply is neither stable nor sufficient in volume,” Yoshikazu Hasunuma, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan, said yesterday. “This project aims to tackle these challenges.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Chum Sounry said he had no details about the project because the Ministry of Mines and Energy was in charge of implementing it.

Ministry of Mines and Energy spokesman Tun Leang said he could not answer questions about it.