REMARKS
BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KEAT CHHON, MP
MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE
AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE FINANCING AGREEMENT FOR THE PROGRAM FOR PROMOTION OF
INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK
BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE, 20 JUNE 2013
Today H.E. Dr. Chan Sarun, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and I
have a great pleasure and honour to represent the Royal Government of
Cambodia to join H.E. Mr. Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European
Union to the Kingdom of Cambodia to sign the Financing Agreement between the
Kingdom of Cambodia and the European Union for the "Program for Promotion of
Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Agricultural Sector: Fisheries and
Livestock".
On behalf of H.E. Dr. Chan Sarun, colleagues of the Royal Government of
Cambodia and myself, I would like to warmly welcome and express our sincere
gratitude to H.E. Mr. Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union
to the Kingdom of Cambodia and all members of the EU delegation for coming
here to join this signing ceremony. I would also like to thank all representatives of
Ministries and Agencies of the Royal Government of Cambodia and distinguished
guests for taking off their busy schedule to join this signing ceremony.
As you all are aware, the friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of
Cambodia and the European Union has been deepened and strengthened
considerably. The signing of this Financing Agreement is an important and
meaningful event and it recalls our long-standing cooperation between the Royal
Government of Cambodia and the European Union, in supporting the social and
economic development in Cambodia. Through this agreement, the European
Union will provide grant amounted EUR 20 million, equivalent to USD 26 Million,
for the implementation of the "Program for Promotion of Inclusive and
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Sustainable Growth in the Agricultural Sector: Fisheries and Livestock", through
RGC’s system in line with Program Based Approach (PBA).
This grant assistance will be used to carry out the reform on agriculture sector,
improving sector policy and system development of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries in order to achieve sustainable development of fisheries
and livestock.
I would like to note that this Program will contribute significantly to the
development of agricultural sector as laid out in the Rectangular Strategy Phase II
of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the wise and visionary leadership of
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of Cambodia. The financial contribution of the European Union for agricultural
sector is in line with the efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia to continue
the reform on agricultural sector.
The valuable grant that we have just signed today is timely responsive to the
needs of Cambodian people, in particular people living in rural areas. Over the
years, the European Union development programs have touched the lives of
millions of Cambodians.
Including this grant assistance that we have just signed today, since 2000 the
European Union has committed to providing grant assistance around EUR 487
Million, equivalent to USD 634 Million for financing development projects in
Cambodia, ranging from education, rural development, and public financial
management reform to private sector development.
In conclusion, let me take this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government of
Cambodia, Cambodian People and on my own behalf, to express our sincere
gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of the
European Union for their support and good cooperation. I wish you all good
health, happiness, prosperity and success in every endeavour of your life.
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