ADB, Japan to Boot Policy Making Skills of Cambodia’s Civil Servants

By Soy Sophea

A training program to help senior civil servants carry out policy reforms that support
the development of market economies was launched in Cambodia on March 9.

The Public Policy Training Program (PPTP) was established in 2007 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to build up the capabilities of civil servants in Vietnam, Laos People’s Democratic Republic and Cambodia, who implement government policy. It is funded by the ADB-administered Japan Fund for Public Policy Training, which is financed by Japan’s government. The launch was held in conjunction with the government of Cambodia’s Economics and Finance Institute in the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The program, which was initially rolled out in Vietnam, is designed to equip government
officials with the skills and knowledge to develop policies that help their economies
become more market-oriented and integrated with global markets. The training focuses on economics and public finance, leadership and managing government programs and
human resources. It will also help officials carry out existing government policies more
effectively.

“At a time when economic circumstances are much more challenging, we hope that this targeted capacity development will help improve effective use of public spending needed to stimulate growth and reduce poverty for vulnerable groups. We also hope it will help civil servants respond to the demand by domestic and foreign businesses for efficient public service delivery,” said Arjun Goswami, ADB’s Country Director for Cambodia.

It is expected that about 200 Cambodian civil servants will benefit from the program over a two-year period, according to ADB’s Country Director. He said the first week-long training module will be held in Cambodia this month, followed by a session for 25 officials in Nagoya, Japan, at the end of March.