Background
On 20 March 2026, at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), Secretary of State Sot Rasmey, in his capacity as Chair of the Procurement Committee and representative of Minister Thor Chetha, presided over an inter-ministerial meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The meeting was convened to review and discuss pricing proposals for the 2026 annual maintenance and periodic maintenance of irrigation systems under Chapter 61, comprising a total of 17 projects.
Scope of Application
The 17 irrigation maintenance projects are planned to be implemented across 12 target provincial areas. These include Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Banteay Meanchey, and Pursat provinces, each of which is expected to receive two projects. In addition, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Prey Veng, Siem Reap, Kampong Speu, and Oddar Meanchey provinces, as well as the border area between Prey Veng and Tboung Khmum, are each expected to receive one project. The works relate specifically to the maintenance and sustainability of existing irrigation systems within these geographic areas.
Key Provisions or Decisions
During the meeting, participants reviewed and discussed the proposed pricing for both routine annual maintenance in 2026 and periodic maintenance of the identified irrigation systems. The Secretary of State emphasized that the meeting serves as a mechanism to ensure accuracy, accountability, consistency, and transparency in the evaluation of technical standards and realistic cost estimates for the projects. The discussion placed particular attention on:
- Careful assessment of applicable technical norms and standards for irrigation system maintenance.
- Verification and refinement of cost estimates to reflect actual implementation conditions.
- Consideration of construction quality and the long-term sustainability of the irrigation works.
- Taking into account real conditions on the ground and changes in oil price indices within the global economic context when assessing pricing.
The meeting aimed to align the pricing proposals with these considerations to support effective and timely implementation of the maintenance projects.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The inter-ministerial review of pricing proposals for the 17 irrigation maintenance projects indicates a structured approach to budget planning and project costing in the water resources and irrigation sector. Stakeholders involved in design, construction, and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure in the specified provinces can anticipate that project budgets and technical requirements will be subject to coordinated scrutiny between MOWRAM and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The focus on technical standards, realistic pricing, quality, and sustainability suggests that contractors and service providers will need to align proposals and implementation plans with these expectations, particularly in relation to cost structures influenced by input prices such as fuel. The overarching objective is to ensure effective, timely execution of maintenance works that support socio-economic benefits and improved livelihoods for farmers in the target areas.
Official Source
This information is based on an official announcement published by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on its verified Facebook page.
