Tin Sokhavuth
The launching ceremony of the Agro-products Cooperative (SAC) shipping center in Svay Rieng province last week took place in the presence of several dignitaries, including Fujimoto Toshiki, the second secretary of the Japanese embassy, Mam Amnot, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Pov Sopheap, the vice-provincial governor of Svay Rieng.
Mr. Toshiki said the SAC shipping center was built by the International Volunteers of Yamagata (IVY) using grant assistance from the Japanese government for NGO projects.
It is a scheme where the government of Japan contributes to the development of Cambodia in cooperation with various Japanese NGOs.
“IVY has been working for 17 years in Svay Rieng province. Under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects…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,” said Mr. Toshiki.
He added that as a result, IVY was able to sell a lot of vegetables to supermarkets in Phnom Penh, using the supermarket at the Japanese-owned Aeon Mall as an example.
IVY has contributed in making vegetables more easily available to consumers in Cambodia as well as helping farmers improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Toshiki said the Japanese government has also decided to assist a three-year project implemented by IVY in Preah Vihear and Svay Rieng provinces. The SAC shipping center was an achievement from this project.
He said the construction of the SAC shipping center had contributed to an efficient vegetable production, collection, packing and distribution system.
“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,” he added.
In March, a contract valued at $338,963 was signed by Kumamaru Yugi, Japan’s ambassador to Cambodia, and Ayu Matsuura, IVY’s country director.
“Now the farming community can put its vegetables on sale in many malls in Phnom Penh and it not only helps farmers to make a living, but also to take part in supplying vegetables in the market as well,” said the ambassador at the signing ceremony.
Japan has been involved in the development of Cambodia since the signing of Paris Peace Agreement in 1991, when it dispatched its first peacekeeping operation.
Its development assistance is part of the Japanese government’s Official Development Assistance policy that aims to help Cambodia and all Mekong region countries narrow the development gap between Asean member countries.
The Japanese government has been helping Cambodia install and renovate its infrastructure with a view of promoting private sector participation in the development and reforms.
Through the “Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia for the Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment,” the Japanese government has assisted Cambodia since 2008 to build necessary infrastructure that attracts continued Japanese investment.
Since 1992, Japan has been one of the biggest donors to the Kingdom in terms of development assistance. In response to this assistance, Cambodia has supported Japan’s positions on many issues in the international arena.
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