Speech by Mr. FUJIMOTO Toshiki Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia on 30th August 2016

Embassy of Japan



- Venerable Monks
- H.E. Mr. Mam Amnot, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- H.E. Ms. Pov Sopheap, Vice Provincial Governor of Svay Rieng
- Ms. Matsuura Ayumi, representative of International Volunteers of Yamagata, IVY
- Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great pleasure for me to attend today’s inauguration ceremony at Svay Rieng Agro-products Cooperative (SAC) in Svay Rieng Province, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Mam Amnot, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Her Excellency Ms. Pov Sopheap, Vise Provincial Governor of Svay Rieng, to celebrate the completion of the construction of the SAC shipping center.

This shipping center was constructed by IVY, using Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, a scheme which was started to enable the Government of Japan to more effectively and efficiently give support to activities implemented by Japanese NGOs. The Government of Japan contributes to development of Cambodia in cooperation with Japanese NGOs working in various sectors in provinces.

IVY has been working for 17 years in Svay Rieng Province. Under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, from February 2013 to March 2016, IVY implemented “The Project for Poverty Reduction in Rural Area through Establishment of Sustainable Management of Svay Rieng Agro-Products Cooperative”. This project aimed to increase the production and sales of SAC, build a supply network, and ensure SAC’s continuation and future autonomy by strengthening management through capacity building.

As a result of IVY's and the farmers' great effort, nowadays SAC has become able to sell a lot of vegetables to supermarkets in Phnom Penh like Japanese Supermarket AEON. IVY has contributed to making vegetables more easily available to consumers in Cambodia as well as improving farmers' livelihood.

Following the 3-years’ project, the government of Japan decided to assist the new project implemented by IVY in Preah Vihear and Svay Rieng, including construction of SAC shipping center which contributes to an efficient vegetable production, collection, packing and distribution system.

Now, I am pleased to see the newly constructed shipping center. Such assistance from Japan is aligned with the Cambodian government policy, including the Industrial Development Policy, which aims at strengthening agricultural cooperatives and adding value to agricultural production through promoting food processing. With the improved function of the shipping center, I hope that more farmers will be able to increase their income and improve their quality of life.

In closing, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all the people who have contributed to the smooth implementation of the project. I strongly hope that this cooperation will further strengthen the friendly relations between the Cambodian and Japanese people. I also hope the shipping center will be maintained properly as a symbol of the friendship between the Kingdom of Cambodia and Japan for many years to come.

Thank you for your attention.