ADB provides US$20 million to assist Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide US$20 million to develop infrastructure and improve livelihood opportunities in the most impoverished region in Cambodia, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.The Tonle Sap Lowlands Rural Development Project will be funded by a US$10.1 million loan and a US$9.9 million grant from the ADB. The Cambodian Government will shoulder US$3 million and the project's beneficiaries will contribute US$1 million to the project.The project will provide direct and indirect economic benefits to about 68,000 households with a population of about 354,000 in 40 communes selected in the three provinces around the Tonle Sap Lake.The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia , covering 2,500-3,000 sq. km during the dry season.