The project to build a civil aviation centre in Phnom Penh, a programme funded by the Korean government, officially came to an end yesterday, with Cambodians taking over instructor positions that were being held by Korean aviation professionals.
Located at Phnom Penh’s international airport, the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC), was built last year to train local aviation professionals.
The project had a budget of $10 million, provided by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica), which included the construction of teaching facilities and the training of aviation students by Korean instructors.
It officially concluded yesterday, when Cambodian instructors trained at the centre assumed the roles previously held by the Koreans.
Speaking at a ceremony yesterday to mark the event, Mao Havannall, Secretary of State at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), said CATC plays a crucial role in developing the human capital needed to push forward the local aviation industry.
“CATC will enhance Cambodia’s ability to train aviation professionals. This will contribute in a significant way to the country’s economic growth,” he said, adding that the centre was needed to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving aviation and tourism sectors.
He said the centre has also reduced costs for SSCA, who now does not have to invest in overseas courses to train local professionals.
Jeong Yun Gil, country director of Koica, said the project has built trust for the local aviation industry internationally.
