JAPAN TO HELP CAMBODIA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TOKYO, May 04, 2009 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- The Japanese government has pledged to help Cambodia in information communication technologies, a move Japan said will help boost economic growth.

The pledge was made by Kunio Hatoyama, Japanese minister of internal affairs and communications, at a meeting with So Khun, Cambodian's minister of posts and telecommunications in Phnom Penh on May 1, according to Kyodo News.

During the talks, Hatoyama credited ICT with contributing about 40 per cent to Japanese economic growth.

''Japan will implement a feasibility study by Japanese experts, make a presentation on new technologies for next generation IP (Internet protocol) networks, and give advice on a Cambodia broadband master plan,'' Kyodo reported, citing a record of the discussions.

To achieve the goal, Hatoyama said his ministry will detach experts to draft and implement relevant rules and provide instruction materials based on Japanese experiences, while at the same time facilitating training programmes, workshops, seminars and study exchanges.

In a separate meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Hatoyama said his government has decided to donate 20 firefighting trucks to Cambodia and will respond to Hun Sen's request for help if swine flu affects the country, the agency said, citing Eang Sophalette, PM Hun Sen's spokesman.