The Gov’t is setting four coastal provinces into multi-purpose economic corridor and cell interface

The inter-ministerial commission is preparing to designate four coastal provinces, including Kampot, Koh Kong, Sihanoukville and Kep, as a multi-purpose economic corridor and cell interface. This according to the official Facebook page of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration.

Ministry of Economy and Finance organized the 7th Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on 1 April 2024, chaired by Phan Phalla, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Chairman of the “Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group Coordinating the Development and Implementation of the Master Plan to Develop Preah Sihanouk Province into a Model Multi-purpose SEZs” with the participation of the Urban Planning and Design Institute of Shenzhen (UPDIS), and representatives from 27 related Line Ministries and provincial deputy governors from the four coastal provinces to review and provide macro-level technical comments on the draft report of the “Master Plan to develop Preah Sihanouk Province into a Model Multi-Purpose SEZ and Develop Cambodia’s Coastal Provinces into a Multi-purpose and Comprehensive Economic Corridor”.

It should also be reminded that, The master plan has received the highest guidance from the Prime Minister Hun Manet to expand its scope to incorporate three more coastal provinces including Koh Kong, Kampot and Kep, and change the official name to ‘Master Plan to Develop Preah Sihanouk Province into a Model Multi-Purpose SEZ and Develop Cambodia’s Coastal Provinces into a Multi-Purpose and Comprehensive Economic Corridor. The goal is to guide the development of all the four coastal provinces in Cambodia to be more interconnected and inclusive.

Phan Phalla stated that the main purpose of the 7th Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting was to gather inputs and additional comments from relevant ministries and institutions on the draft report of the master plan, especially focusing on macro-level aspects such as vision, direction, function and priority sectors of each province, which requires inputs from relevant line ministries.

Phalla added that this Master plan is a national strategy to promote economic and social development through six development pillars such as industry, human resources and technology, transportation, infrastructure, ecology, and public services.

Overall, the draft report of the master plan focuses on national development and strategic plans, which intertwine with the development plan for each sector by taking into account macroeconomic status, global trends, industrial development, labour markets, special economic zone development models, public service systems, public transportation and infrastructure, tourism and biodiversity, livelihoods and well-being, urban design, land use management, green belt management, and institutional frameworks.

These development plans will be a strong catalyst to boost Cambodia’s economy, aligning with its goal to become a middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

As a result, the meeting discussed and provided comments on key issues including to fulfill relevant data and development directions. Moreover, there was a focus on fostering collaboration among the four coastal provinces in alignment with national policies and the sub-national development plan of each province. Afterward, the Secretariat team will consolidate the comments and update the report accordingly.

Subsequently, the revised report will be presented to the Inter-ministerial committee for review prior to seeking final approval from the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Finally, the meeting expressed its appreciation to the inter-ministerial TWG and UPDIS team for their dedicated efforts in drafting the Master Plan Report. In addition, the meeting also hoped that this master plan will help develop the four coastal provinces, as well as develop Cambodia as a whole.