Kampot’s new ferry terminal is expected to begin construction next year after approval yesterday of an $18 million loan from the Asia Development Bank.

With a target completion date of 2019, the construction project is expected to increase visitor numbers to one of Cambodia’s lesser-known tourism destinations.

“The development of this passenger pier will support an increase in tourism in southern coastal areas and help establish a new gateway between Southern Cambodia, Vietnam and other destinations in the Gulf of Thailand,” Eric Sidgwick, ADB country director for Cambodia, said in a statement.

According to the ADB, funding will also be used to support road and water infrastructure development in Kampot province.

The new pier will be located on 4 hectares of land between the border of Teuk Chhu district and Kampot City, tourism officials said earlier this month.

Khoy Khun Huor, governor of Kampot, said the terminal would help stimulate economic activity in the province and promote tourism among neighbouring countries.

“We really need a tourism port to link the tourism industry of our three countries – Cambodia, Laos and Thailand,” he explained.

“When it is finished, we can attract more tourists from not only Vietnam but also Thailand. It will serve as the tourism hub at this coastal area.”