U.S. Provides US$20.3 million for Economic Growth, Food Security and Global Climate Change in Cambodia

By Sok Lak

The Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Stated Government on November 2 signed an amendment to bilateral agreement that provided US$20.3 support Cambodian priories economic growth, food security, and global climate change. Under the amendment, the Royal Government will provide US$425,000 in-kind support.

The Amendment to the Assistance Agreement signed by the U.S. Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Jeff Daigle and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, and USAID Mission Director Flynn Fuller.

H.E. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said that the signing thus far of the original agreement, amendment number one, number two and now number three not only demonstrates unwavering commitments of the Government of United States of America to contributing to the achievement of economic growth in Cambodia, but also reflects a more satisfactory outcome of cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United State of America. This will help to strength the bilateral relations between two countries, especially at the government-to-government level in field of economic cooperation.

“Today’s signing of the Amendment to the Assistance Agreement will increase the additional fund of around US20 million for 2011-2012 program with a greater emphasis on the agriculture and environmental sectors,” H.E. Sok An stressed.

The program of ‘Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem Stability (HARVEST)”, which is currently the prime focus of the Assistant Agreement, will seek to help increase agriculture production and productivity, foster the adoption of sustainable approaches to natural resources management and increase Cambodia’s resilience to climate change, he added. “It fit to the needs of agricultural development and natural resources management for ensuring food security, improving livelihoods of the people in rural areas and sustaining economic growth.”

U.S. Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Jeff Daigle, said that with the signing of this agreement, U.S. development assistance to Cambodia for economic growth since 2008 totals 52.76 million.

“The United States is pleased to continue supporting the Cambodia government’s effort to improve the business climate, both to attract investment from abroad and to ensure that domestic firms reach their full competitive potential.”

He added that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise 2 Program (MSME) is now entering its fourth and final year and will continue to assist farmers and small business owners to take advantage of business opportunities and increase their household incomes. To date, MSME 2 has helped over 6,000 entrepreneurs increase their sales by 100 percent-340 percent, allowing families to access better health care, educate their children, and expand their businesses. In addition, the HARVEST will continue to support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s national development strategy by improving agricultural production and post-harvest management, increasing access to food, and adapting to climate change.

In term of economic growth, food security and global climate change, the United States support a broad range of programs designed to benefit all Cambodians, including combating trafficking in persons. USAID expected to provide a total of 64.87 million in assistance to Cambodia in 2011.