(Preah Sihanouk): The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Investment Promotion Working Group conducted a review of 15 investment and business proposals totalling over USD 39 million, advancing the strategy to elevate Koh Rong into a premier global tourism destination.
This review took place on Friday (Jun. 5) during the group's 25th meeting, led by Hean Sahib, Advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chairman of the working group. The proposed projects are anticipated to create approximately 1,000 jobs, thereby contributing to the province's economic recovery and development.
Proposals under consideration include a manufacturing and assembly plant for ventilation equipment, a parquet flooring factory, mixed-use developments, a night market, and various tourism resort initiatives.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Sahib emphasised that investment promotion must be paired with streamlined administrative procedures, robust investor support services, and effective interagency coordination to mitigate the challenges businesses face.
He reiterated the government's commitment to implementing measures to enhance skills development, promote the use of locally sourced materials, and strengthen industrial connections with higher-value sectors.
A significant focus of the meeting was the future development of Koh Rong, where officials reviewed potential new investment incentives and strategies to position the island as a leading international tourism destination.
The vision outlined for Koh Rong focuses on eco-tourism, high-end hospitality, and wellness tourism, capitalising on its natural resources and boosting its international appeal.
The working group highlighted that Koh Rong City encompasses over 11,300 hectares and features approximately 61 kilometres of coastline, including 43 kilometres of sandy beaches.
The island recently earned a spot among the world's top 10 beaches for 2026, and major infrastructure developments support it, including upgraded road networks, a planned 4C-category airport, and an undersea power transmission system.
Hean Sahib noted that Cambodia's island destinations are attracting increasing numbers of visitors, particularly from Europe, creating significant investment opportunities in tourism.
He stressed the need for careful planning and targeted policy measures to expedite Koh Rong's development into a high-value tourism hub while supporting broader investment-attracting initiatives in Preah Sihanouk province. A key aspect is resolving the province's stalled construction projects.
The working group also encouraged investors to take advantage of the unique incentives provided under the government's Preah Sihanouk investment promotion program, which offers facilitation services and streamlined approval processes to enhance the province's business environment.
=FRESH NEWS
