The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced that a water industry cooperation delegation*, led by Minister Kim Wansup, will visit Cambodia from May 5 to 7 to strengthen water management cooperation with Cambodia and expand the local presence of Korea’s water industry. This delegation follows up on the 3rd Mekong-Korea International Water Forum held in Daejeon last March and a bilateral meeting with the Cambodian Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology.

* Composed of the Ministry of Environment, 18 Korean water companies, Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Korea Environment Corporation (KECO), and Korea Water Partnership (KWP).

Cambodia has been experiencing rapid growth with an average annual economic growth rate of over 6%, but it remains vulnerable to floods and droughts due to climate change, and its water supply and sewage coverage rates are relatively low at 29% and 47%, respectively*. As a result, demand in the water industry, such as water resource infrastructure, water supply and sewage expansion, and water quality management, is expected to increase significantly. In addition, since such water management projects are mainly initiated and carried out by government ministries, the Ministry of Environment has strategically formed and planned this delegation to expand cooperation from the existing government-to-government (G2G) level to government-to-business (G2B) collaboration between the Cambodian government and Korean companies.  

* UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) 6.1.1 and 6.3.1: Based on 2022 UN Water data, these refer to the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services and the proportion of safely treated wastewater, respectively.

First, the Ministry of Environment will jointly host the ‘Cambodia-Korea Water Industry Cooperation Forum’ with Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on May 6 in the capital city of Phnom Penh. At this Forum, key Cambodian ministries and international organizations will present the current status and plans of local water management projects, while Korean water companies will showcase the technologies and products needed to implement these projects, enhancing mutual understanding for practical cooperation. To this end, high-level officials and working-level staff from six Cambodian ministries, including the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (in charge of overall water management); the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (in charge of water supply); and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (responsible for wastewater), will attend. Local companies that expressed interest through local trade office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) have also been invited. Regional offices of international organizations involved in Cambodian water management projects, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UN Development Programme (UNDP), and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), will also participate. Notably, promotional booths and technical consultation sessions will be set up so that Korean companies can present their core technologies and products one-on-one to local stakeholders, including central ministries, local governments, and companies. This is expected to help Korean companies accurately identify the technologies and products needed in Cambodia’s water industry market and convert that understanding into one-on-one project opportunities.

In addition to the Forum, Korean water companies will hold a roundtable discussion with Korean financial institutions operating in Cambodia, KOTRA local trade office, K-water, KECO, and KWP. During this meeting, they will discuss local conditions, business opportunities, risk factors, and financial support to address any further questions companies may have about entering the Cambodian market. Furthermore, on May 7, Korean companies will visit the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant in Phnom Penh to assess its operations and technical needs, and will also visit the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, which oversees the city’s water supply, to hold a seminar where they will directly present their technologies and products to the relevant officials.

Meanwhile, Minister Kim Wansup will secure policy support for Korean companies’ entry into Cambodia by engaging in high-level cooperation with the Cambodian Prime Minister and relevant ministers, and will promote the export of Korea’s advanced water management policies, such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based flood forecasting. On May 5, Minister Kim plans to meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Prime Minister’s residence to build consensus on the importance of bilateral cooperation in addressing the climate crisis and water management, and to request support for Korean companies’ entry into the Cambodian market. On May 6, during the Water Industry Cooperation Forum, Minister Kim will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cambodia’s Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, Thor Chetha, to establish a practical cooperation framework in water management, including integrated water management projects for climate resilience, early warning systems for floods and droughts, the use of digital technology, and institutional improvements. On May 7, Minister Kim will hold a series of bilateral meetings at government offices with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth; Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Hem Vanndy; and Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth. Through these meetings, Minister Kim will propose expanded cooperation and support for Korean companies’ participation in infrastructure development for securing water resources, water supply expansion, and smart water network management projects, and will also discuss strengthening environmental cooperation, including international greenhouse gas reduction projects utilizing small hydropower.

Minister Kim Wansup stated, “Cambodia is in need of expanding its water management infrastructure to address water-related disasters such as floods and droughts caused by the climate crisis, as well as to respond to rapid industrialization and urbanization.” He added, “We will continue to provide support so that Korean companies can take a leading role in solving Cambodia’s water issues and grow through close cooperation with the Cambodian government in the water management sector, where Korea has strong expertise.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com