A Khmer company on Friday donated to the Cambodian government 90,000 U.S. dollars for conserving and protecting the ancient Bakong Temple in Siem Reap province, local newspaper said on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Sok An attended the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between company owner Kuch Sinit and Bun Narit, President of the APSARA Authority, which is in charge of the management of the temples.

"Our old temples were destroyed and broken into pieces, especially the old Bakong Temple. It had elegant sculptures on all its walls. We wanted our next generation to see all these sculptures in precision. Therefore, we funded the conservation," said Sinit.

The budget would also be used to repair some pagodas of national heritage, he said, adding that Khmer culture like the old temples and pagodas should be protected.

The Bakong Temple, built in the Angkor Age, comprises classic Cambodian temples which attract millions of foreigner tourists to Siem Reap annually. Some of the temples are ruined due to unfriendly weather, war and robbery.

Source: Xinhua