Japan is considering extending about 4 billion yen in yen loans to Cambodia during fiscal 1999, which begins in April, for repairs and expansion of the capacity of Sihanoukville port, government sources said Friday.

The loans for improving Sihanoukville port — the country's sole international seaport — would mark the first time Japan has given Cambodia such low-interest loans in 31 years, the sources said.

Japan will probably unveil its financing plan for the port project at a meeting of Cambodia's aid donors to be held in Tokyo at the end of February, although the exact amount to be lent will not be specified, the sources said.