The construction of 121 kilometers of road, funded by China and destined to stretch from Stung Treng’s Opong Morn to Banlung of Rattanakiri, northeast province
of Cambodia, was inaugurated under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jin Feng on November 11. “From now on we no longer construct roads with red soil but are building rubber-constructed roads,” Samdech Hun Sen said. His remarks were aired by Cambodian National Television (TVK). “And we expand from 6 meters of width to 11 meters,” he added. Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen recalled that these roads had been damaged, adding that his wife advised him not to travel on such bad roads from Stung Treng to Rattanakiri provinces, which link the Laos and
Vietnam borders. “Until now, we have been constructing 10 roads 1,255-kilometers long,” he said. “In 2010, we will construct another 11 roads around 921
kilometers long. Among these, 7 of them are funded by China.” He added: “China is now playing an important role in developing Cambodia.I can say year 2010 is the year of road construction inaugurations.” Samdech Hun Sen noted that the construction will allow the country’s economy growth to spread to the
poorer rural areas. “We can export our products to Laos and Vietnam with this newly-constructed road.” The Premier continued to say that the road from Stung Treng to Kratie is now much better as it was rebuilt a few years ago to ease transport from the northeast provinces to other provinces throughout the country.“I would like to thank Chinese leaders for their generous contributions to help Cambodia restore its infrastructures,” Hun Sen said. Chinese Ambassador Feng said
that China’s assistance and loans to Cambodia are not too big, adding that China shows its gratitude to Cambodia as brothers and that it wants to help Cambodia build its human capacity and economic growth. “Recently, the Chinese government announced that it will allow 6,700 kinds of Cambodian goods to
be imported to China with no tax or lessened tax charges,” she added. “This is a good implementation of Cambodia and China to increase trade and economy. We believe that the new situation, if both our countries actively cooperate in all relevant fields, will produce more fruitful outcomes to both party’s interests,” she added.
She said that the Chinese financial aid is not comprised of complicated conditions but is meant to help Cambodia improve its economy and expand its independence, adding that the assistance is aimed at reducing poverty in Cambodia. The 121-kilometer-long road will cost US$73.3 million, a concessional loan from China with the Cambodian government contributing 5 percent, and it will take 40 months to complete the construction, which will include 13 bridges and 909 kilometers. It will
be constructed by the Chinese Shienghai company and under the technical supervision of Guanzhuo Wanan Construction Supervision Co, Ltd. Prime minister to open dam in Kampot Province in december During the opening remarks, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen announced that he, himself, will open the Kamchay dam in Kampot province in the southeast of Cambodia in December. The 180-megawatt hydroelectric dam located in Bokor National Park was constructed by the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation. (SEAW)