Cambodia’s total public debt slightly up by Q2

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) — The Cambodian government had a total public debt stock of 11.27 billion U.S. dollars at the end of the second quarter, up 1.62 percent from the first quarter, according to the Cambodia Public Debt Statistical Bulletin on Monday.
The report showed that 99 percent was external debt, and 1 percent was domestic debt.
During the April-June period, the government signed new concessional loans with development partners in a total amount of 181.72 million dollars.
“Overall, all the loans are highly concessional with an average grant element of around 56 percent,” the report said.
It added that the Southeast Asian country paid debt services to development partners in the amount of 49.44 million dollars in the second quarter.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said all the loans had been used to finance public investment projects in the priority sectors that support long-term sustainable economic growth.
Cambodia’s public debt situation has remained sustainable and was at low risk of debt distress, although the economy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and external factors, he said.
The kingdom’s total public debt accounts for 19 percent of GDP (gross domestic product), according to the report. ■