Press Releases
United States Provides $7.79 million for Economic Growth in Cambodia
Released in Phnom Penh, September 22, 2009
The United States and Cambodia will sign an amendment to a bilateral agreement on September 23 that will provide $7.79 million in 2009 funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support Cambodian priorities in economic growth. Under the amendment, the Royal Government of Cambodia will provide $425,000 of in-kind support.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Carol A. Rodley will attend the ceremony and sign as a witness. Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and USAID Mission Director Flynn Fuller will sign on behalf of their respective governments.
The funds will be used to expand USAID’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 2 and Business Enabling Environment program, which is alleviating poverty in rural areas by increasing the productivity of family businesses. The program has to date helped over 3,000 farmers increase their sales by 100%-340%, allowing them to access better health care, education for their children, and opportunities to expand their businesses. The project is implemented by DAI.
In addition to economic growth, the United States supports a broad range of programs designed to benefit all Cambodians, including health, education, human rights, rule of law, local governance and decentralization, anti-corruption, and combating trafficking in persons. The United States, through USAID, expects to commit $61.8 million in assistance to Cambodia in 2009.
The signing ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 9:30am at the Office of the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh. Members of the press are invited to attend the ceremony.
