Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan and Siem Reap Province, Kingdom of Cambodia for the implementation of smart city initiative.

On the 6th of February 2024, a signing ceremony was held in Siem Reap Province and Takamatsu City for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration on smart cities. The signing ceremony was conducted in a hybrid format, combining online and local participants.

The signing of Siem Reap Province was held at Provincial Hall and attended by more than 20 representatives, including the provincial governor. From Takamatsu City Hall side, the mayor and members of the General Affairs Bureau engaged in smart city promotion participated. In addition, Director/ Counsellor, Consular office of Japan in Siem Reap, the Senior Vice President and representatives from Urban and Regional Development Group of JICA HQ, Chief Representative and Representative from JICA Cambodia Office and Representatives from JICA Shikoku were also participated by online.

Under the strong leadership of the Mayor, Takamatsu City has played a pioneering role in Japan by implementing the Smart City Takamatsu Promotion Plan, and its experience can be of great help to Siem Reap Province.

Through this project, Takamatsu City and Siem Reap have established a close relationship with each other. In particular, in December 2022 and May 2023, delegations from the Siem Reap Provincial Government and the Cambodian Central Government visited Takamatsu City and observed Takamatsu City's smart city promotion initiatives. In February 2023, a representative from the Digital Strategy Division of the General Affairs Bureau, which is in charge of promoting smart cities in Takamatsu, visited Siem Reap, observed the situation in Siem Reap and introduced Takamatsu's initiatives. Furthermore, in December 2023, an online seminar on smart cities by Kagawa University was organized for about 80 students and stakeholders from four universities, including the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor in Siem Reap, in cooperation with in Takamatsu City. These exchanges above have laid the foundations for greater understanding and cooperation between the two cities.

It is hoped that the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding will further strengthen the relationship between Takamatsu and Siem Reap and lead to beneficial developments in the future.