PHNOM PENH - The government of Japan on Wednesday signed to provide a grant aid of $36 million to Cambodia for a clean water project and a human resource development project.

Cambodian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hor Namhong signed to receive the aid package from Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Yuji Kumamaru.

According to a press statement, the amount of $33.4 million goes for the expansion of water supply systems in eastern Kampong Cham province and northwestern Battambang province, and the remaining amount of $2.6 million will support 24 Cambodian students to study in Japan for two years.

"The grant aims to assist Cambodia in water supply sector and capacity development for government officials," Yuji Kumamaru said at the ceremony.

Under the clean water project, water treatment plants and other related water supply facilities in both provinces would be constructed, he said, adding that currently, safe water access rate of Kampong Cham and Battambang still stands at only 33 percent and 31 percent respectively.

"Through the project, the water supply facilities in Kampong Cham and Battambang will be expanded and water supply ratio in both cities is expected to increase to 84 percent by the year 2019, " he said.

Hor Namhong expressed gratitude to Japan for the grant aid, saying that it was very important for Cambodia in social, economic and human resource development.

Since 1992, Japanese loan and grant aid to Cambodia have amounted to more than $2 billion, according Japanese embassy to Cambodia.