PM Hun Sen seeks more bridge-building with S. Korea

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on South Korea to consider building a Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge in Cambodia. The request was made during the meeting he had with South Korean president Moon Jae-in last week.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Road Number 2 and Number 22 improvement project, PM Hun Sen said that at present Cambodia has a Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge and Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge. Therefore, he suggested South Korea should consider building one.

The premiere added that the location to build the bridge will be from the Chroy Changvar area to Svay Chhrum Arey Ksat, to the east of Phnom Penh, which will benefit people who live in that area. The prime minister said the bridge would cost around $40 to $50 million.

At the same time, PM Hun Sen also said that the construction of National Road 2 and 22 is an important contribution to the promotion of efficiency, productivity and socio-economic opportunities that will support the internal integration policy that has actively contributed the high efficiency of transport traffic from Phnom Penh to other provinces.

Park Heung Kyeong, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Cambodia, said that the relationship between Cambodia and South Korea has grown remarkably. He said that a lot of Korean companies are doing business and investing in Cambodia, with investment capital amounting to $5 billion.

He said that last year bilateral trade between Cambodia and Korea achieved more than $1 billion and the relationship between the people of both countries is also growing as citizens in both countries visit each other. He added there are more than 50,000 Cambodians working in South Korea and more than 15,000 Koreans are residents in Cambodia.

“This infrastructure development is crucial for the economy and the country. Building the infrastructure will promote the economy and diversify the national economy,” Park said. “We [South Koreans] are happy to participate with the Cambodian government to help build the country’s infrastructure,” he added.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said that the National Road Number 2 and Number 22 improvement project, with a total length of 72.17 kilometres, is part of National Road 2 from Takhmao roundabout to Ou Chambak is 62.56 km. Of this, 5.4 kilometres crosses Phnom Penh, 14.21 km crosses Kandal and 52.56 km crosses Takeo. It also crosses national Road 22 from Ang Tasom (9.61 km), located in Takeo.

The two roads will be developed with concrete at a total budget of $56.1 million, funded by the government of the Republic of Korea, along with funds from the Royal Government of Cambodia to deal with landmine clearance and ordnance.

The project is being undertaken by Hanshin Engineering & Constructions Co Ltd and technically supervised by Dasan Constructions Co Ltd, Dong II Engineering Consultants Co Ltd and Seoyoung Engineering Co Ltd in a joint venture lasting 30 months From October 2019 to April 2022.

“After the road is completed, it will improve the efficiency of Cambodia’s travel and logistics system to facilitate the transportation of products, crops and the agro-industry of investors and citizens from all regions,” Mr Sun added. It will also help to reduce road traffic, traffic congestion and will ease traffic on National Highway number 3.(This news came from Khmertimes.com)