PHNOM PENH, July 26, 2023 (BSS/Xinhua) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 40-million-U.S.-dollar loan to support the Cambodian government to further enhance reforms in public service delivery, said its press statement on Wednesday.

 Reforms under the second and last subprogram are designed to strengthen planning and budgeting, revenue and expenditure management, and the capacities of staff at the local administration level to deliver improved services, bolster local government planning, and improve people's access to public services.

 "Reforms and digital solutions implemented under the program will help align local plans with national and provincial budgets for a more effective and equitable delivery of basic public services like access to water, sanitation, and education," said ADB country director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma.

 "Measures undertaken under the program will also boost women's participation in local decision-making," she added.

 The second subprogram focuses on strengthening coordination for responsive and accountable service delivery, and enhancing revenue and expenditure management to meet needs at the local government level.

 "It further deepens reforms approved under the first subprogram, which aims to develop public administration skills and competencies for local administration officials by operationalizing the National School of Local Administration," the statement said.