Background
On 27 March 2023, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) held the first summary meeting on the feasibility study results for an intervention project aimed at water supply and flood reduction in Prek Neul, within the Vaiko river basin in Svay Rieng province. The meeting was co-led by Secretary of State Ponh Sachak of MOWRAM, the Country Director of KOICA in Cambodia, Hyunjun Rho, and the Executive Director of K-Eximbank in Cambodia, Minnie Chey.
The session brought together representatives from the General Department for the Resolution of Impacts from Development Projects and the Department of Project Monitoring and Implementation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, KOICA Cambodia, K-Eximbank Cambodia, the Project Management Unit, Svay Rieng Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, and technical consultants from Yooshin Engineering Corporation and ISAN Corporation. The meeting focused on reviewing the initial feasibility study outputs prepared by the technical consulting team.
Scope of Application
The discussion covered the proposed intervention project in the Prek Neul area of the Vaiko river basin in Svay Rieng province. The scope includes water supply functions, flood reduction measures, and associated hydraulic infrastructure. It also involves consideration of land-related impacts and coordination with local authorities at various administrative levels within the project area.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Participants listened to a summary report from the technical consulting team on the feasibility study results for the water supply and flood reduction project. The meeting expressed strong appreciation for the progress and outcomes of the feasibility study to date and acknowledged the efforts of the technical consultants.
The meeting also thanked relevant stakeholders, particularly territorial authorities at all levels, for their cooperation and facilitation of the field study work. Participants examined and discussed a number of priority issues, including:
- Technical characteristics related to the construction of hydraulic infrastructure;
- Soil quality and hydrological conditions;
- Feasibility of addressing land impact issues associated with the project.
Following the discussion, the meeting reached consensus to request the technical consulting team to further improve and deepen the feasibility study results, ensuring more comprehensive coverage of key aspects. The refined study is intended to form the basis for completing the feasibility report and submitting it to K-Eximbank Cambodia for review and decision on the overall project.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The meeting signals progress in the preparatory phase of a potential water supply and flood control infrastructure project in Svay Rieng province, supported by development partners including KOICA and K-Eximbank. While no final investment decision or implementation timeline was reported, the request for a more in-depth feasibility study indicates that technical, environmental, and land impact considerations will be central to project design.
Stakeholders such as contractors, engineering firms, and local landholders may be affected in the future, subject to the finalization of the feasibility report and subsequent decisions by K-Eximbank and the Cambodian authorities. At this stage, no specific regulatory, compliance, or compensation frameworks were detailed in the meeting summary.
Official Source
The information is based on an official communication from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) published on its verified Facebook page on 27 March 2023.
