Cambodia is conducting a feasibility study to modernise its railway. The study is expected to be completed in the next three months, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol.
Chanthol revealed the plan during a virtual meeting with his Thai counterpart Saksayam Chidchob on April 20. The meeting aimed to boost cooperation between the two countries in the transport sector, both within bilateral and regional frameworks.
Chanthol said infrastructure link between Cambodia and Thailand will not merely be a tangible connection to increase trade volume and spur tourism and investment, but will also be a key factor in furthering the economic development of the two nations.
Chanthol thanked the Thai side for providing loan to Cambodia for the construction of cross-border infrastructure including the Cambodian-Thai Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian Friendship Bridge — projects that Chanthol said would ease congestion at the Poipet- Aranyaprathet International Border Checkpoint.
He also appreciated Thailand's provision of 140km of used track to Cambodia to be used in the railway sector.
According to the transport ministry, both ministers also discussed plans for cross-border facilities at the Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian checkpoint and to open it as soon as possible. They also discussed possible opening of other border checkpoints and cross-border transport agreements aimed at increasing connection, trade volume, tourism and investment that will in turn boost economic growth of the two countries.
