(Sihanoukville): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that even if the Royal Government takes only small, gradual steps, they must always be in the direction of progress, never in retreat. He added that regardless of public opinion or criticism, the government remains focused on fulfilling its responsibilities.

The premier spoke on Thursday (May 22) during his meeting with more than 30,000 workers in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone.

Samdech Thipadei acknowledged that while critics are free to voice their opinions, those doing the real work are putting in tremendous effort.

Samdech Thipadei underscored, “Even if our steps are small, they must move forward, not backward and they must be in the right direction, not into a dangerous pit. It is not easy to move forward. It is not easy to attract investment and build trust. We must safeguard these efforts. Even if the outcomes are modest, we must continue progressing.”

“We are proud of what we have achieved. We must protect these achievements and work together to build even more for our country and our people, especially by creating more job opportunities. So let us keep moving forward,” he added.

The premier also noted that Cambodia's progress is already visible and widespread. There is no need for lengthy explanations, as the people, especially workers and labourers are directly seeing and benefiting from these developments.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei highlighted that the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) stands out among Cambodia’s economic zones. It has earned recognition and support and continues to benefit from strong cooperation and development efforts at both grassroots and senior levels between the Cambodian and Chinese governments. The zone’s initial construction began in 2008, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

As of April 2025, Preah Sihanouk Province has seen dramatic growth from 69 enterprises and 10,619 workers in 2008 to 3,833 enterprises employing 115,854 workers, with an estimated annual payroll of USD 359 million. Among these, the province’s five Special Economic Zones collectively host 327 factories and enterprises, employing 46,750 workers with a combined annual wage total of approximately USD 150 million. These achievements result from sustained efforts to attract investment, develop strong infrastructure, and most importantly, maintain Cambodia’s peace and political stability.
=FRESH NEWS