Japanese firms seek investments in water sector

A DELEGATION of Japanese companies is now in the Kingdom to explore investment opportunities in the clean water sector.

The delegation, composed of 15 firms represented by the Japan Overseas Water Business Association (Kowba), met with Minister of Industry and Handicraft Cham Prasidh on Tuesday.

Kowba is an organisation that promotes water business init iat ives overseas t hrough public-private partnerships in Kita k y ushu cit y in Japan.

Kowba delegation head Koji Kubota told Prasidh that all 15 companies represented by the association have a wealth of experience in the clean water sector and are eager to invest in the Kingdom.

Prasidh welcomed Kowba’s interest in investing in Cambodia, and said the government will facilitate t he process. He said the firms will have access to severa l ta x brea ks if t hey choose to invest.

“The ministry is prioritising the supply of clean water in cities, towns and rural areas and encourages the private sector to invest in clean water production,” he said.

According to data from the Council for the Development of Cambodia, foreign direct investment from Japan from 1994 to the first quarter of last year equalled $2.5 billion.

Most of t hat investment went into elect rica l appliances, electronics, automobiles, agro-processing equipment, and food-processing factories, as well as to build hotels, hospita ls, and supermarkets.