GPOBA Supports Increased Access to Telecommunications Services for Rural Poor in Cambodia

News Release No. 2009/1

In Washington:
Cathy Russell, tel. (+1) 202 458 8124 crussell@worldbank.org

In Phnom Penh:
Sareoun Bou, tel. (855) 23 217 301 sbou@worldbank.org

Washington D.C., January 8, 2009 – Poor families in four of the poorer provinces of northern and northwestern Cambodia – Banteay Meanchey, Otdar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Pursat – will benefit from a US$2.6 million grant to increase access to telecommunications services signed by the World Bank, acting as administrator for the Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA), and the Royal Government of Cambodia. Up to 52,000 poor households or 260,000 Cambodians are expected to benefit from the scheme, through improved telecommunications network coverage and the installation of public access points where people will be able to make and receive telephone calls on a regular and reliable basis.