British Government To Close Development Aid Office Cambodia

Phnom Penh 22 January 2011 -- Reaksmei Kampuchea in Khmer language

The British embassy in Cambodia has affirmed that the British Government has decided to shutter its office in Cambodia since this office opened its door in 2001. Andrew Maces, British ambassador to Cambodia, affirmed at his embassy in Phnom Penh on 20 January that the royal British Government's office for international development in Cambodia will close its door on 31 January 2011.

According to the British ambassador, even though this office in Cambodia is closed, it does not mean that the British government ends its aid program to support development programs in Cambodia. He siad that 'Britain continues to be a development partner through other aid programs to Cambodia'.

Richard Erlebach, head of the United Kingdom government's international development aid office in Cambodia, said that the closure of this office is not new and is not related to any issues in Cambodia. He pointed out that "We had advised about this closure since July 2009 but we have continued to support development in Cambodia.

According to Richard's affirmation, the office for international development of the British Government had been assisting Cambodia since 2000 with an amount of only 1.5 million Pound Sterling. The amount had increased yearly, reaching 22 million Pound Sterling in 2009. In 2010, Britain provided roughly 18 million Pound Sterling of aid to Cambodia. In 2011, this office continues to provide aid to Cambodia to the order of 12 million Pound Sterling.

He [Richard Erlebach] also said this office is closing but the structure of the relation and aid provision continues, namely through the embassy in Cambodia.