H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, welcomed a high-level delegation from Kitakyushu City, Japan, ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of the Takhmau Water Treatment Plant. Funded through Japanese grant aid, the project is implemented by members of the Kitakyushu Overseas Water Business Association (KOWBA) and represents a milestone in bilateral cooperation.
The plant operates under a Special Purpose Company (SPC) model, where the Japanese partner will build, operate, and maintain the facility for 10 years before handing it over to the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA). This model combines foreign investment, advanced Japanese water technology, and proven operational expertise to meet Takhmau’s growing demand for clean, high-quality water.
Minister Vanndy praised Kitakyushu City and KOWBA for their enduring partnership and called for continued collaboration in innovation, skill development, and digital transformation for Cambodia’s water sector. “The SPC model will serve as a benchmark for future investment and strengthen trust between Cambodia and Japanese partners,” he noted, adding that reforms are underway to improve water-operator performance nationwide. He also invited Kitakyushu companies to contribute to a national digital water management platform and support R&D in the field.
Professor Sato Yuya, Vice President of KOWBA, reaffirmed Kitakyushu’s long-term commitment to Cambodia, highlighting ongoing cooperation with JICA on research and small-scale water-supply solutions, as well as digital platform development. He emphasized that October will mark the 10th anniversary of the sister-city agreement between Kitakyushu and Phnom Penh—an enduring symbol of partnership in sustainable urban water management.
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