Cambodia collects 26.3 mln USD for border infrastructure development

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) — Cambodia has raised 26.3 million U.S. dollars from charitable people for border infrastructure development as the fundraising campaign will be concluded by month’s end, said an official announcement on Sunday.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet launched on Aug. 26 the Border Infrastructure Development Fund (BIDF), aimed at raising additional funds to enhance infrastructure along the country’s borders, with a prioritized focus on the construction of a border ring road.
“As of Oct. 20, 2024, nearly 700,000 people have voluntarily donated a total of 26.3 million U.S. dollars to the BIDF,” said the announcement from the Prime Minister’s cabinet.
“The proceeds will be used to construct infrastructure along the borders, focusing on the development of a border ring road,” the announcement added.
The fundraising campaign will be closed on Oct. 31, 2024, the announcement said.
Hun Manet said last month that since 1994, Cambodia has built a border ring road with a length of around 1,300 km, or about 50 percent of the total.
He added that the Southeast Asian country has planned to complete the construction of the remaining section within 10 years at the cost of more than 200 million dollars.
Cambodia shares borders with Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. ■