PM Provided principles for planning the development of Cambodia's four coastal provinces

The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, has instructed the Ministry of Tourism and the four provincial governors, including Sihanoukville, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Kep, to promote the development of Cambodia's four coastal provinces, which are expected to be completed by 2024.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony of the 10th Sea Festival in Kep Province on the afternoon of December 3, 2023, the Prime Minister said that promoting Cambodia in the international arena is very important to attract tourists to Cambodia.

The PM confirmed that. "I suggest the provincial and municipal governors develop a master plan to connect our four beaches." He continued, “We have prepared a plan to develop Sihanoukville into a multi-purpose province. Now we need to connect to the other three provinces where the master plan is being built, hoping to be completed by 2024."

Samdech Thipadei continued that this master plan was created to maintain the value and draw the potential in each place to the fullest, not only for short-term benefits but also for the long run, which is an important principle of the Royal Government.

PM Hun Manet stated that if we combined our four coastal provinces, it wouldn't be too big because we have the sea coast, potential port, and multi-purpose potential. The purpose of this master plan is to ensure that our development is planned to guarantee that the four provinces are not competing provinces but support each other to turn our coastal provinces into provinces that mobilize forces to help boost Cambodia's coastal potential.

The Prime Minister added that, due to the large number of foreign tourists visiting Cambodia and then returning and spreading the good news, it is important for them to have real trust. This is an important potential for tourism, which promotes the national economy.

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also told the relevant ministries to strive to create more tourism products to attract tourists, while the above sector not only increases economic growth and creates jobs for people, reduces poverty, but also promotes tourism abroad, which has a high civilization, a prosperous culture, a long history, and attracts both tourism and investment.

In addition, the PM said that the Royal Government has set out to celebrate the Sea Festival, which not only contributes to the promotion of the tourism potential of Cambodia's coastal provinces but also supports the policy of the Royal Government, which focuses on the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism.

The development of Cambodia's coastal areas is not just for the present; we need to think long-term into the future with a clear plan and careful management.

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei also provided some recommendations for ministries, institutions, and relevant parties to implement, such as: (1) Continue to maintain a peaceful environment throughout the country for a long time. (2) The authorities and the people in the four coastal provinces need to work together to maintain the reputation of being one of the most beautiful bays in the world and to be worthy of being "The Rising Star in the Southwest.".

(3) Continue to give priority to coastal development, especially the necessary infrastructure construction to serve the tourism sector. (4) Continue to promote the production of a wide range of tourism products to supply tourists to promote "on-site exports." (5) Continue to pay high attention to maintaining security and safety for tourists at all tourism destinations and not to make tourism destinations a haven for drug use and other crimes.