Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has introduced a number of new plans and projects to support Cambodia’s development goals from 2022 to 2024.

In a March 28 press release, KOICA vice-president Im Jeong-hee said she had presented the projects to Chhieng Yanara, secretary-general of the Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and other officials.

It said the meeting touched on overall development cooperation with Cambodia, the introduction of KOICA support for Cambodia, KOICA’s Cambodia Country Plan, new projects for 2022, candidate projects for 2023 and the current progress of new project identification for 2024. She also identified future areas for cooperation.

Im said Cambodia makes a considerable contribution to the culture of Southeast Asia, and its remarkable achievements hint at its future potential for development. He also lauded the Kingdom’s Covid-19 response.

“I’m highly impressed by the government’s efforts in keeping the pandemic under control, and I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for the safe operations of KOICA here in Cambodia,” she said.

She added that Cambodia is South Korea’s main partner country in terms of development support.

During the pandemic, she said KOICA continually conducted diverse activities in support of the Kingdom’s Covid-19 response. She hoped to strengthen the cooperation in the future to develop Cambodia post-pandemic.

Yanara expressed his gratitude to KOICA – and the people and government of South Korea – for consistently supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development through its projects and programmes. He also thanked them for their assistance during the fight against Covid-19 and for facilitating post-pandemic economic recovery.

Since 1991, KOICA has provided approximately $310 million to Cambodia in the form of development projects, training programmes, consultants and volunteers, among others, and has steadily increased the amount throughout the years.

In 2022, KOICA’s estimated aid grants to the Kingdom totalled $30 million, the statement added.