PHNOM PENH: The Government of Japan will provide US$145,692 to construct a Community Tech Centre in Bati district, Takeo province.

The Grant Contract was signed here today between the Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. UENO Atsushi, and the representative of the Takeo Provincial Department of Post and Telecommunications.

According to a press release from the Embassy of Japan, although the demand for workers with ICT knowledge has been increasing in Cambodia, many young people in rural communities are not given much opportunity to learn ICT and digital technology due to the lack of ICT infrastructure and curriculum, and thus, their low ICT skills and literacy become parts of the obstacles to employment.

This project aims to rectify the situation, and it is expected to benefit about 8,000 residents as well as about 1,000 students in the area through the first-ever establishment of the community tech center, which will provide more opportunities to learn ICT and digital technology, said the same source.

The grant aid will be made under the framework, of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (“KUSANONE” Grant).
Japan’s “KUSANONE” Projects started in Cambodia in 1991 to support Cambodia’s reconstruction and development at the grassroots level.

The assistance aims to protect those vulnerable due to various factors such as poverty and misfortunes that directly threaten their lives, livelihood, and dignity, as well as promote self-reliance in local communities.

Since 1991, the Government of Japan has provided over US$66 million for mainly local authorities and non-governmental organizations to implement 707 KUSANONE projects throughout Cambodia.