Japan will sign an agreement next week granting Cambodia more than $2 million to fund ongoing road improvement projects on National Road 1.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong and Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Yuji Kumamaru will sign the pact, which grants aid of up to ¥251 million to the Kingdom, next Monday, according to a release issued by the ministry.

National Road 1, which connects Phnom Penh to the Vietnamese border through Svay Rieng province, has been undergoing a massive road expansion due to the increasing volume of vehicles using the roadway.

The new grant will be used for the creation of four lanes, a motorcycle lane and sidewalks, Japanese Embassy counselor Takayoshi Kuromiya said.

“The project aims at improving the National Road No 1 as an international road, which consists of the East-West Corridor connection,” Kuromiya said.

“It is expected that this project will contribute to the smooth flow of the traffic, reduction of travel time and acceleration of economic growth in Cambodia and [other] ASEAN countries.”

Since 2005, Japan has injected more than $80 million in funding to improve the national highway system, Kuromiya added.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport could not be reached.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHHAY CHANNYDA