French Development Agency (AFD) Strengthens its Commitment in Cambodia during the Official Visit of Marie-Hélène Loison
published on 22 May 2024
The recent visit of Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy CEO of AFD, to Cambodia from May 19 to 22, 2024, was an opportunity to reinforce the AFD Group’s commitments in Cambodia. This mission was conducted for the first time with all entities of the AFD Group in the Southeast Asia region, including Proparco, the private sector financing subsidiary, and Expertise France, which deploys French expertise and know-how.
Since 1993, the French Development Agency (AFD) has played a significant role in Cambodia’s economic and social development, working closely with the Cambodian government, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions. These partnerships have enabled AFD to propose and implement innovative solutions for the Kingdom over the past 30 years.
AFD’s portfolio in Cambodia focuses on sectors such as water, clean energy transition, climate-smart infrastructure, and vocational training. Notable projects include the rehabilitation of a total of 45,200 hectares of irrigation systems, improvement of rural roads, vocational training, and investments in drinking water systems in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as in provincial towns. AFD also supports civil society in various fields, with a total funding of nearly 5 million euros in sectors like green agriculture, education, energy efficiency, HIV treatment, human rights, and governance.
During this visit, Marie-Hélène Loison welcomed the record amount of investment financing signed in 2023, totaling 215 million euros (approx. 235 million USD). AFD plans to continue its financing to reach a cumulative total of around 600 million euros (approx. 660 million USD) for the next three years (2024-2026). These prospects were confirmed during a meeting between the delegation and H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, earlier this week.
During this visit, AFD signed a 25 million euro loan for the RID4CAM rural road renovation project. Additionally, two important agreements were signed to support the Kingdom in its ambitious green strategy: one with the MEF for economic modeling of the energy transition and another with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to identify means of this transition, particularly in terms of technological innovations and regional integration. These various agreements confirmed AFD’s support for Cambodia’s climate commitments, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and the rapid integration of renewable energy.
Ms. Loison also met with Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to discuss Cambodia’s development priorities and AFD Group’s contributions to support the government in implementing the Kingdom’s Pentagon Strategy Phase 1. These discussions align with the cooperation and partnership priorities confirmed during the visits of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen to France in 2022 and Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet in January 2024.
The delegation also visited the Bakheng water treatment plant financed by AFD and the European Union under the Global Gateway initiative, representing a total investment of about 600 million euros (660 million USD), as well as the National Museum of Phnom Penh, where Expertise France will conduct preliminary studies for its renovation and expansion. Finally, AFD and the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge officially launched the “Indo-Pacific Health Security” project, aimed at strengthening the capacities for prevention and response to health crises in the region.
Thus, the AFD Group, with its subsidiaries Expertise France and Proparco, fully contributes to strengthening relations between France and the Kingdom to support the sustainable and inclusive development of the country, as well as addressing global challenges together.
Contact :
Jean-Edouard Naslin - naslinje@afd.fr
