Search

Cambodia Launches Its First Expressway Project Worth US$2 Billion

Cambodia Launches Its First Expressway Project Worth US$2 Billion
statywithessence.com | Phnom Penh

Cambodia broke ground on Friday (March 22) on a US$2 billion. Once complete in 2023, the expressway will connect the capital Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, a southern resort and seaport that has become a honeypot for Chinese investors.

According to The Straits Times, the near 200km road is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and is a part of China's ambitious Belt and Road project.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen drives a machine to launch the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk during a groundbreaking ceremony in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Mao Pengfei
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen drives a machine to launch the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk during a groundbreaking ceremony in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Mao Pengfei

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said here on Friday that the expressway will play a crucial role to boost the economic development of Cambodia and to improve people's livelihoods, as reported by Xin Hua.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk, Hun Sen said the super highway is the first of its kind in Cambodia.

The prime minister said that the thoroughfare will increase logistics efficiency in the country, and reduce cost of goods transportation and travel period.

A demonstration section of expressway is seen during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Sovannara
A demonstration section of expressway is seen during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Sovannara

 

"Currently, travel between the two destinations takes about five hours, but when the expressway is built, it will take only two and a half hours," he said.

Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the expressway will connect Phnom Penh's Pursenchey district to the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk through Kandal, Kampong Speu, and Koh Kong provinces.

Machines line up during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Mao Pengfei
Machines line up during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 190-km expressway stretching from capital Phnom Penh to the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, March 22, 2019. Image: Xinhua/Mao Pengfei

 

"It will play an important role in enhancing the efficiency of goods transportation and logistics system in Cambodia," Chanthol said.

"Also, it will facilitate companies and people in transporting their products to local markets or to international markets through the international deep-sea port."

During the construction, the expressway will create 6,000 jobs for Cambodians, and in the operational period, it will provide more than 2,000 jobs.

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
View all posts

Thank you for reading until here