Cambodia has requested Japanese support for the upgrade of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), as well as a study into the development of a master plan which will guide the port’s development into a regional port and logistics centre by 2050.

The request was via Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), who met with Saito Tetsuo, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The May 23 meeting took place in Tokyo, Japan on the sidelines of the 29th International Conference on “The Future of Asia”.

“Chanthol requested the Japanese side to support the implementation of the Sihanoukville port upgrade project in a timely manner and also to expedite a study project into how the port can become a regional port and logistics centre by 2050 to maintain the momentum of Cambodia’s economic growth,” said the CDC, in a May 23 press release.

The Japanese minister expressed his intention to urge all Japanese stakeholders to implement the expansion of PAS as soon as possible, to ensure that the project is completed as planned.

“Saito also shared his determination to encourage the Japanese stakeholders to review the proposed master plan study project to drive the port’s development as a regional hub, and ensure the study begins soon,” added the release.

Chanthol thanked the Japanese side for its active involvement in Cambodia’s socio-economic development, as well as of the Kingdom’s infrastructure.

At the beginning of the current 7th mandate, the government inaugurated and opened a series of Japanese-assisted construction sites, including National Road number 5 and the Choeung Ek sewage treatment plant, as well as step two of phase one of the PAS upgrade project.

Socio-economic analyst Chey Tech told The Post that there are a number of challenges related to the development of Cambodia’s industrial sector, as well as how to attract foreign direct investment.

He explained that a major issue is logistical, in terms of the transport of domestic goods to international markets.

He said the government has focused on the development of transport infrastructure, including the introduction of strategic logistics plans and the development of road, rail and waterway transportation links, most recently the Funan Techo canal project.

Tech added that the Sihanoukville port has enjoyed strong support from the Japanese from the beginning. 

“The contribution of the Japanese side to the development and expansion of the port at Sihanoukville is very important to the development of the Cambodian economy, as well as to attract foreign direct investment and industrial development. This is due to improved logistics and connectivity at the regional and global levels,” he said.