The first phase of a nearly $30 million Koh Prus island development project in Preah Sihanouk province is approximately 30 per cent complete, according to company representatives.
The insiders said that when completed, the development would become an important new tourist destination in the province.
Heng Thou, construction manager of Angela Real Estate Co Ltd (ARE), the project’s developer, told The Post on Monday that the first phase involves constructing a five-star hotel with 30 rooms.
“The early stages of construction are about 30 per cent complete,” he said.
The second phase will see the construction of bungalows, while in the third phase, clubs, restaurants, a bicycle riding playground and other entertainment facilities will be built, Thou said.
However, he was unable to set a date for the entire project to be completed.
A 99-year investment lease on Koh Prus, which is about 2km from Sihanoukville’s Otres Beach, was granted to local company ARE in 2008, according to Preah Sihanouk provincial spokesman Kheang Phearum.
“The Cambodian-owned ARE company has invested in the construction of five-star hotels, casinos, villas and other structures on Koh Prus,” he said.
The 56.28ha island is administered by Prey Nop district’s Ream commune.
Phearum said ARE signed an investment agreement with the government on January 18, 2008.
“This investment will really help to boost national economic growth by creating jobs and developing tourism sites in Preah Sihanouk province to attract more tourists and investors,” he said.
According to Phearum, there are a total of 32 islands in Preah Sihanouk province.
He said that of those, islands such as Koh Song Saa, Koh Krabei and Koh Russey are operating as a tourist destinations.
ARE is listed as a local company at the Ministry of Commerce, with Ly Sok named as director.
Pacific Asia Travel Association president Thourn Sinan said that although the number of other tourists visiting the coastal areas of mainland Preah Sihanouk province had decreased due to the influx of Chinese nationals, the number of people visiting the province’s islands had increased.
“Tourists have always enjoyed going to the seaside, but now the most attractive place for non-Chinese tourists in Preah Sihanouk province is the islands,” he said.
Sinan said ARE’s investment would help attract even more tourists to the province.
“This investment will help create jobs for the people there and contribute to building Cambodia’s tourism infrastructure,” he said.
