Thursday, 31 January 2008

Cambodia to get 7 mln usd loan for transmission line to import electricity - ADB

Thu, Jan 31 2008
http://www.afxnews.com

BANGALORE (Thomson Financial) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will provide a 7 mln usd loan without government guarantee to Cambodia for building transmission lines to import electricity from Thailand, including to the tourism hub of Siem Reap, and the growing cities of Battambang and Banteay Meanchey where there have been power shortages.

The bank said the move will be a boost for the economy of northwest Cambodia, not just in tourism but also in agriculture, services and manufacturing.

ADB's financial assistance is being made to the (Cambodia) Power Transmission Lines Co Ltd (CPTL), a private Cambodian company.

The bank's assistance will go toward the estimated 34 mln total project cost and the balance of the funding is being provided through equity and loans from the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Gramercy Advisors/Arco Capital Management Family of Funds.

The 115-kilovolt power lines will connect with Thailands national grid at the border and will then run about 221 kilometre into Cambodia, to Siem Reap, home to the famed Angkor Wat temple, and Battambang, an important agricultural centre.

In addition to connecting the major towns, the new lines will also provide opportunities to wire rural communities along the route, ADB said.

The high-voltage grid lines will be the first to be privately owned in the Greater Mekong Subregion. It is also the first ADB private sector infrastructure project in Cambodia.

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