The firm behind a US$1 billion development on Koh Puos, off the coast of Sihanoukville, has said construction on its first phase of 36 villas has begun.

“We are strongly committed to finish this first phase of villa construction and deliver them to the buyers by the end of 2011,”said Andrew Halturin, project director and board member of Koh Puos Investment Group, at the grand opening of the island sales office in Phnom Penh last weekend.

He also said that a 900-metre long bridge connecting the island to Sihanoukville town was 85 percent complete and on schedule to be finished in June.

“[The building work] will bring the project closer to becoming the leading tourism centre in Sihanoukville and potentially in the region.

“It will [create] a new proud image of Sihanoukville and Cambodia as a whole,” said Halturin.

The Koh Puos Island development is designed to include a luxury residential complex, several five- and four-star hotels, business centres, shopping malls, casinos, and sports facilities.