Tokyo (FN), Dec. 19 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked the government and people of Japan, who have always contributed significantly to socio-economic development of Cambodia from the beginning.
The premier spoke on Tuesday (Dec. 19) at Cambodia Investment Seminar 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.
"On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the people of Cambodia, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the government and the people of Japan, who have always contributed significantly to socio-economic development of Cambodia from the beginning. Japanese friends have been assisting Cambodia in all areas, including peace talks, peacekeeping operations, strengthening judicial and legal system, human resource and infrastructure developments," the premier underscored.
This good and long-lasting relationship is strengthened through the exchange of visit by our senior leaders and regular communication between our people, which clearly demonstrates exemplary friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability based on principle of mutual trust, respect and support in socio-economic, business, political and diplomatic fields.
In terms of transportation and logistics infrastructure development, Japan has extended concessional loans for the development of international ports and transportation networks connecting Cambodia with neighbouring countries and major export hubs in the region which contributes to the time and cost saving association with shipping.
According to the premier, this year, after his return to Cambodia, on the 22nd, the premier and Japanese ambassador to Cambodia will inaugurate the first phase of expansions, which is part of the three phases of expansion, which will allow Sihanoukville autonomous port to be one of the regional ports.
Samdech Thipadei continued, “Yesterday, during my meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, I have proposed the idea of having Japan to have developed this [Sihanoukville autonomous port] into not just a significant port, but the area to be a regional logistics hub in the future. So that will be a good landmark project between Cambodia and Japan for long-term, not just economic but long-term relationship also.”
Samdech Thipadei added that we also inaugurated a segment of National Road 5, which is 300 kilometres in line, connecting Phnom Penh, National Road 1 and the Tsubasa Bridge. These infrastructure projects, developed under concession loan from Japan, serve to connect the ASEAN Highway 1. It is a great and southern economic corridor of the Mekong sub-regions, which facilitate transit through Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam. So, through all these projects, such as port, roads, bridges, Cambodia has been able to connect ourselves as part of a long and expansion of ASEAN logistics network. So, this is quite an important project which integrate Cambodia in the regional economy.
In addition, to the provision of official development assistance, Japan has always made substantial investment in Cambodia, creating numerous and wide range of employment opportunities and improving the livelihood of Cambodians. The invaluable closeness and trust between Cambodia and Japan form a solid foundation for instilling confidence among business people and investors of both countries. This is evident in increased presence of both small and large Japanese investment projects and business enterprises in Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS
