Cambodia is to receive funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the effectiveness of its Public Service.
The $US29 million ($A41 million) in financing is aimed at supporting key reforms in public financial management and decentralisation.
Senior Public Management Specialist at the ADB, Jhelum Thomas said the Bank’s Second Decentralised Public Service and Financial Management Sector Development Program for Cambodia included a $US20 million ($A28 million) policy-based loan.
“This will support the strengthening of fiscal planning and management of Local Governments as well as public administration,” Ms Thomas said.
“Our program also includes a $US9.35 million ($A13 million) project loan to help build the National School of Local Administration, a dedicated training centre for Local Government officials,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the project aimed to help Local Governments across Cambodia provide sustainable, effective, and efficient delivery of basic public services, while also bridging the urban-rural divide.
“The project is much needed, as the COVID-19 pandemic has seen significant numbers of people move from urban to rural areas,” she said.
“This will put more pressure on Local Governments to provide social assistance and basic services such as roads, water supply, and sanitation to support inclusive and equitable growth.”
More than 70 per cent of Cambodians live on less than $US3 ($A4.23) a day and access to basic services has been uneven.
Ms Thomas said poor and vulnerable households were especially at risk amid the pandemic, which had led to a significant decline in key sectors of Cambodia’s economy and losses in livelihoods.
Phnom Penh, 25 September 2020
