Japanese companies interested in rubbish collection bidding in Cambodia

Japanese companies interested in rubbish collection bidding in Cambodia

Three Japanese companies reportedly will take part in rubbish collection tendering when the government plans to begin the process.

The announcement was made when Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Mikami Masahiro met Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Eang Sophalleth, personal assistant to the Prime Minister, said that Mr Masahiro said that three Japanese companies are interested in collecting and disposing of Phnom Penh’s rubbish.

“The rubbish [collection] is very important as three Japanese companies are interested in investing in Cambodia. Mr Mikami Masahiro informed Samdech [Mr Hun Sen] that these companies will take part in the rubbish collection bidding in Cambodia,” Mr Sophalleth quoted Mr Masahiro as saying.

Mr Sophalleth said that Mr Hun Sen noted that Phnom Penh Municipality and Economy Ministry are looking for new rubbish companies as Cintri (Cambodia) Ltd could not handle rubbish collection effectively since Phnom Penh has expanded from about 300 to 600 square kilometres.

Mr Hun Sen said that when the bidding process is conducted, Japanese companies interested in the bidding should take part, according to Mr Sophalleth.

Neither a spokesperson from City Hall or the Finance Ministry could be reached for comment yesterday.

Cintri has been criticised for poor service in Phnom Penh.

In October 2019, the government revoked Cintri’s business licence because it could not manage and dispose of rubbish effectively and said that it needs at least three to four companies to handle the service.

According to the Environment Ministry report released last month, Cambodia produces about four million tonnes of rubbish every year or more than 10,000 tonnes daily, of which 65 percent is organic waste, 20 percent is plastic and the rest are solid waste.

The report said that Phnom Penh produced about 3,000 tonnes of rubbish a day.

Chhay Mouykeang, a Phnom Penh vendor, said that more companies should manage rubbish collection because it is currently very slow, especially during national holidays.

“I hope that after the bidding, companies which are awarded licences will help collect rubbish and clean the city effectively,” she said.

Source: Khmer Times