Preparation for the Preah Sihanouk Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone masterplan is entering into the second phase, which illustrates the future of the plan, once the Ministry of Economy and Finance reviews and finalises the draft results from the report’s first phase.
The first phase results, prepared by the Urban Planning Design Institute of Shenzhen (UPDIS), focused on area and situation analysis, and preliminary concepts that illustrated the future of the masterplan.
Late in March, a meeting led by finance minister Aun Ponmorniroth and chairman of the inter-ministerial coordinating committee for the masterplan, discussed and approved the main contents of the first phase draft.
Preah Sihanouk provincial deputy governor Long Dimanche told The Post on April 4 that the meeting was a preliminary assessment of the masterplan, which was jointly developed by a finance ministry working group and UPDIS.
He commented that the assessment enabled the working groups to seek and analyse the actual condition of Preah Sihanouk with regards to its industrial base, natural resources, infrastructure, environment, labour management and business environment.
“We hope that the masterplan is a strategic plan that [encapsulates] the long-term vision of the government and that it is clear and feasible, as well as being consistent with national strategies and other key development strategies,” Dimanche shared.
He also expressed hope that the plan would turn Preah Sihanouk into a major urban centre in Southeast Asia, powered by smart technology and equipped with world-class public services and living facilities.
The plan, which is intended to replicate Shenzhen’s industrial success, is aimed at turning the province into a green environment with a high value-added industrial zone while becoming an important economic pole that would provide employment to the people.
Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) vice-president Lim Heng said the masterplan is a “good goal setting” venture of the government that allowed the participation of the private sector in terms of investment and development.
“I believe that this study will definitely have a clear division of industrial and tourist areas [as planned] via detailed studies by experts to be sustainable in both areas, which will continue to attract domestic and international investors after the masterplan is completed and officially implemented,” he said.
This masterplan, broken into five phases with an 18-month timeframe to complete, is part of the government’s medium- and long-term strategic consideration.
It is aimed at transforming Preah Sihanouk into a multi-purpose economic zone and a key economic pole to promote national development for sustainable and inclusive development in line with the provisions of the Cambodian Industrial Development Policy 2015-2025.
The inter-ministerial coordinating committee of the masterplan is meticulously considering the inclusion of highly innovative modern infrastructure, such as a smart city in relation to the design of the buildings, residential areas, designation of industrial zones and environmental protection areas.
