Thursday, 29 May 2008

The Japan International Cooperation Agency Helps to Develop a Core Project on Khmer Minerals

Posted on 29 May 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 562

“Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy of Cambodia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] signed an agreement on the implementation of a core project to improve mineral exploitation and the mineral industries in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“The signatures were made by the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Mr. Suy Sem and by the Resident Representative of JICA, Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro, on the evening of 26 May at this ministry.

“The Director General of a department of the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Mr. Sok Leng mentioned that the study focuses on a clear joint overview to improve the exploitation and the development of mineral resources, which includes the creation of strategies for the exploitation and for the development of minerals, mineral exploitation taxes, the transfers of techniques, and the development of human resources. The study will start in late 2008 and will finish in early 2011 – it will take thirty months.

“Mr. Sok Leng said that work to be implemented is first, to check the current situation of the mineral sector; second, to improve the information data on mineral geology which exist on 1:200,000 and 1:100,000 maps; third, to increase investment in the mineral sector; fourth, to create a storage for GIS data [Geographic Information System”] of the information on the geology and on the areas where minerals exist; fifth, to create a website for making the information available publicly; sixth, to send officials to be trained inside and outside of the country, and seventh, to transfer this knowledge to Cambodian officials through the implementation of this project.

“Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro said that the JICA sees the the development of the private sector as a priority to develop, in order to improve investment. Recently, the international need for minerals is growing; and Cambodia is known as a country with a potential of minerals which attracts other countries. He added that the study does not only focus on action plans to improve investment, institutional reforms, the development of human resources, and the preservation of the environment in mineral exploitation, but it also focuses on the creation of a GIS system and the development of basic guide and introductory books on minerals. JICA hopes that after the project has been implemented, the Ministry will develop its capability and then can strengthen its own work in developing mineral exploitation.

“The Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Mr. Suy Sem said that now, through signing this agreement, Japan starts to provide Cambodia with grant aid and a new cooperation in the field of mineral management and mineral development in Cambodian. It is the first time for Cambodia that the mineral field receives technical assistance from Japan through JICA..

“The Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Shinohara Katsuhiro also attended the signing ceremony.”

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4600, 28.5.2008

No comments: