CGCC, CWA, FTB, and Water.org Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Access to Formal Financing to Support Clean Water Sector in Cambodia

On October 30, 2025, at the CGCC Head Office, there was a Signing Ceremony for a Portfolio Guarantee Agreement on Utilities Development Guarantee Scheme (UDGS) for Private Water Operators between CGCC and Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia (FTB), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CGCC and Cambodian Water Supply Association (CWA), and a MOU between CGCC and Water.org. 

This signing ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. Mey Vann, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and H.E Oum Sotha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, Innovation. Signatories included No Lida, CEO of CGCC; Dith Sochal, CEO of FTB; Lim Minh, Executive Director of CWA; and Gay Santos, Regional Director of Water.org, at CGCC’s Head Office. The event was attended by 70 participants, including Private Water Operators (PWOs), management, and staff of the four institutions.

Utilities Development Guarantee Scheme (UDGS) for Private Water Operators (PWOs) is an initiative to support private water operators in securing sufficient financing through favorable credit guarantees.

No Lida mentioned that, “Supply of clean water is an essential service that must be expanded in Cambodia​ for the public well-being as well as for socio-economic development. CGCC is honoured to launch this dedicated Guarantee Scheme to promote clean water development in Cambodia by offering favorable guarantee terms and conditions. This initiative is made possible through collaboration with key partners including FTB, CWA, and Water.org. Each partner will contribute to the effective implementation of this Guarantee Scheme, especially ensuring that the guaranteed loans are disbursed to the right and potential water operators with manageable risk. In this initial phase of this Guarantee Scheme, CGCC and FTB are committed to disbursing USD 5 million guaranteed loans to clean water supply operators in Cambodia.”

Under this Guarantee Scheme, CGCC will provide guarantees on loans disbursed by FTB, CGCC’s partnered bank since 2021, to PWOs in Cambodia. 

Dith Sochal emphasised that, “The signing of the Portfolio Guarantee Agreement under the Utilities Development Guarantee Scheme between FTB and CGCC marks a significant milestone in a strong and growing partnership that began in 2021. Since then, the collaboration has expanded steadily, supporting a total loan portfolio exceeding USD 19 million—including USD 2.3 million dedicated to private water operators. Through this collaboration, both institutions have shared commitment to fostering innovation in the water sector and advancing sustainable water management practices across Cambodia.”

To mitigate risk and to select the right private water operator, CGCC and FTB will cooperate to provide guaranteed loans to private water operators, who are members of CWA and have received technical or financial support from Water.org.

Lim Minh, Executive Director of CWA, added, “This partnership represents a major step forward for private water operators as they work to expand clean water services within their licensed areas. Through CWA’s active participation, our members will gain access to transparent and secure financing, enabling them to grow their operations and contribute directly to the global goal of universal access to clean water by 2030.”

Gay Santos, Regional Director of Water.org., also stated, “Water.org began its work in Cambodia in 2022 and, through strong partnerships, has helped more than 2.19 million people and mobilised over USD 281 million for water and sanitation. Despite considerable progress, the proportion of the population with access to safely managed water and sanitation remains inadequate to achieve Cambodia’s SDG 6 objective. As such, Water.org strongly supports the initiative to improve access to finance for private water operators in Cambodia.”

Utilities Development Guarantee Scheme (UDGS) for Private Water Operators (PWOs) is a new initiative designed to improve private water operators’ access to formal financing by mitigating collateral constraints and providing credit guarantees under favourable terms and conditions. As part of this strategic partnership, the four parties will enhance cooperation in promoting and supporting business growth through operational financing, supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia’s objectives of achieving universal access to clean water by 2030.

This press release was supplied.