India signs grant MoU with Cambodia for MGC projects
India signs grant MoU with Cambodia for MGC projects
The Indian government has provided Cambodia a grant for 18 projects worth nearly $900,000 to implement the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework.
The two governments on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the grant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The ministry’s secretary of state Luy David said the MoU is evidence that MGC is advancing smoothly with strong cooperation.
“The real value of these small projects is very important for Cambodia to create tangible results and promote the livelihoods and contribute to the welfare of Cambodians,” he said.
David said the 18 projects – worth a total of $895,145 – will be implemented for 2019-2020.
First country
India is the first country to collaborate with the Greater Mekong Subregion nations and establish the first Mekong cooperation framework – which we now refer to as MGC.
The MoU covers six projects under the Ministry of Health; four under the Ministry of Rural Development; two under the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology; and two under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
It also covers two projects under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs; one under the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts; and one under the Ministry of Environment.
David said since the launch of the QIPs under MGC in 2015, Cambodia has received a total of 34 projects in the fields of health, agriculture, education, environment, skills development, women’s empowerment, rural development, water resources and ICT.
Several projects have been completed and the remaining have made substantial progress, he said.
A practical achievement that stems from the cooperation, he said, is the “Asian Traditional Textile Museum “, which was inaugurated in 2014 in Siem Reap town.
“Cambodia is committed to strengthening sub-regional cooperation based on practical activities which will be beneficial for Cambodia and the Mekong region as a whole.”
Manika Jain, the Ambassador of India to Cambodia, said the Indian government has various engagement programmes with Cambodia including assistance programmes for the Kingdom’s socio-economic development. It has been providing assistance since 2015.
“The Indian government will continue to support and cooperate with the Cambodian government under the framework of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation,” she stressed.
