Background
On 16 March 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), Secretary of State Soth Rasmey, in his capacity as Chair of the Appraisal Committee, chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on behalf of Minister Thor Chetha. The meeting was convened to review and discuss proposed cost estimates for construction, rehabilitation, and repair works on irrigation systems, as well as riverbank protection projects, to be implemented in 2026.
The 12 proposed projects fall under budget chapter 21 and are part of MOWRAM’s program to strengthen hydraulic infrastructure in key agricultural and flood-prone areas. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and relevant technical units of MOWRAM participated in the review process.
Scope of Application
The discussion covered a total of 12 projects located in eight target provinces:
- Pursat Province: 3 projects
- Kampong Cham Province: 2 projects
- Svay Rieng Province: 2 projects
- Kampong Thom Province: 1 project
- Banteay Meanchey Province: 1 project
- Takeo Province: 1 project
- Siem Reap Province: 1 project
- Kandal Province: 1 project
The projects include the construction, restoration, and repair of irrigation systems and associated riverbank protection works, to be financed and implemented under the 2026 budget framework.
Key Provisions or Decisions
During the meeting, participants jointly examined and assessed:
- The technical standards proposed for each irrigation and riverbank protection project.
- The accuracy and realism of the cost estimates and underlying assumptions.
- Consistency with requirements for correctness, accountability, efficiency, and transparency in the use of public funds under budget chapter 21.
The chair emphasized that the objective of the meeting was to ensure proper scrutiny of both technical norms and estimated costs before reaching formal agreement on the projects. The discussions focused particularly on:
- Ensuring construction quality and long-term sustainability of the works.
- Aligning designs and costs with actual on-site conditions in the target provinces.
- Taking into account changes in prices in the context of the global economic environment.
The meeting aimed to reach a common understanding that would underpin subsequent formal approval of the projects. The announcement does not state that final approval was granted at this session.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The inter-ministerial review indicates that irrigation and riverbank protection investments for 2026 are progressing through the government’s appraisal and budgeting process under chapter 21. Stakeholders involved in engineering, construction, and supply of materials for water infrastructure in the listed provinces may anticipate forthcoming public works once formal approval and procurement processes are completed.
The focus on technical standards, realistic cost estimation, accountability, and transparency highlights the government’s expectation that contractors and technical service providers adhere to defined specifications and cost structures. While no specific procurement procedures or regulatory changes are detailed in the announcement, the projects, once approved, are likely to follow standard public investment and contracting rules administered by MOWRAM and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Official Source
The information is based on an official announcement published by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) through its verified communication channels on 16 March 2026.
