Cambodia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a 1,585 million Yen (16 million USD) agreement on a project to upgrade the National Road No. 1 from Phnom Penh to Neak Loeung.

The agreement was signed by Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Porn Moniroth and Izaki Hiroshi, JICA Chief Representative in Cambodia in Phnom Penh on January 15, the Cambodian News Agency (AKP) reported.

According to JICA, the project aims at improving the transport of people and goods between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam , stimulating socio-economic activities in Cambodia by improving the remaining four kilometers of Phnom Penh-Neak Loeung Section of National Road No. 1, which is one of the most important national roads.

The Government of Japan has been assisting the improvement of Phnom Penh-Neak Loeung Section of National Road No. 1 since 2005.

National Road No. 1 is an international main road in Cambodia, connecting Phnom Penh capital city to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. It is also an important part of regional movement of goods and people of the transportation in the Southern Economic Corridor and the Asian Highway for Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Bangkok.-VNA