The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has authorised a USD180 million loan to fund urban infrastructure development projects in three Cambodian towns while increasing their economic competitiveness. This is a part of the Liveable Cities Investment Project and the funding will help the Government of Cambodia to upgrade sanitation and waste management facilities in the cities of Bavet, Kampot and Poipet. The project will aim at improving living conditions for low-income families and also assist municipalities in attracting private investment.
In the towns of Bavet and Poipet, the project will support the renovation of existing canals as well as the development of a new wastewater treatment plant, sewage network, new stormwater drains, and landfills. The project in Kampot will expand the city’s existing sewage system. Tariff reform for municipal operations and maintenance, as well as a strategy to guarantee efficient service delivery, including an assessment of prospects for private sector engagement, will be included in the project road map.
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) will provide USD2 million in technical assistance towards the development projects. The technical support will focus on the towns’ long-term sustainability and climate resilience, including land use planning, institutional capacity, and governance. The ADB will collaborate with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC) to implement national regulatory and policy reforms with the participating municipalities and ministries.