German Development Minister Dirk Niebel will visit the Kingdom of Cambodia from March 10 to 12. In the capital Phnom Penh and Siem Reap his visit will focus on development issues. The priority areas of German development cooperation with Cambodia are rural development, health and good governance. Minister Niebel will be accompanied by members of the German Parliament and by representatives of Germany's development organizations, private sector, civil society, and media.

Cambodia is a partner country for German development cooperation. The priority areas of cooperation agreed between the two governments are rural development and support for the health system. Cross-cutting tasks include: fostering democracy, civil society, public administration and good governance. All activities serve the overall goal of German development cooperation with Cambodia - poverty reduction.

The priority area of rural development comprises of activities to enhance yields and diversify crops in the agricultural sector, as well as support for small businesses, assistance for land reform, rural electrification and rehabilitation of rural roads.

German development cooperation with Cambodia concentrates on the access of poor people to basic health services. Social health protection and the training of health sector staff as well as introducing quality standards for the training of medical personnel are major priorities.

Decentralization, support for the Cambodian land reform, promotion of women’s rights, an independent court of audit and support for the ongoing Khmer Rouge Tribunal are some of the topics as far as fostering democracy and good governance is concerned.

What is needed, above all, are reforms that fight corruption, strengthen administrative institutions and increase awareness of democracy. This is vital to economic growth and poverty reduction. In this way, Cambodia can succeed in leaving its difficult past behind and heading for a better future.