CAMBODIA has begun implementing its master strategy for attracting development in the Kingdom’s four coastal provinces over the next 20 years, said officials at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

“This is a good plan and a way to develop Cambodia into the future,” Land Management Minister Im Chhun Lim announced at a conference detailing the plan Thursday.

Calling Sihanoukville the “dragon’s head”, Im Chhun Lim said the plan prioritises improving development in Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong provincess in order to increase economic activity and provide jobs.

“We’re insuring a balance between protecting the environment in coastal areas with attracting both local and foreign investors,” he said at the conference.

The strategy will focus on attracting local and foreign investment to the region, with an eye to strengthening export industries, said Pen Sophal, director at the ministry’s Urban Planning Department.

“Government wants sustainable, transparent development on coastal areas to attract investors,” he said on the sidelines of a conference on drafting a final strategy for the “National Integrated Coastal Area”.

He added that the plan is slated to run until 2030.

The plan, called The Study of Strategy National Integrated Coastal Area and Master Plan Sihanoukville Sustainable Development, focuses on strengthening infrastructure and special economic zones servicing Sihanoukville Port.

“We focus on Sihanoukville because the province has potential for growing faster due to its proximity to the international port for industry, agriculture and services,” he said.

Ho Vandy, co-chairman of the tourism working group in the Government-Private Sector Forum, said development in Cambodia’s coastal areas is a good idea.