PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen announces that the government plans to release US $ 230 million to construct bridges on the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project in Kandal, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng provinces to reduce people's consumption costs.

The announcement was made while presiding over the graduation ceremony for over 5,000 teachers, technical students, and National Technical Training Institute students on February 27, 2023.

“The Royal Government decided to build a bridge with a budget of about 230 million dollars to connect to the other side, passing through Kandal, part Prey Veng, and part Svay Rieng,” Prime Minister Hun Sen said.

Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister of Public Works and Transport, stated that the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway construction would start in early 2023, following Prime Minister Hun Sen's three-day visit to China. However, the project was delayed until June due to the Chinese side's delay in reviewing the case file.

On December 10, 2022, the government and Chinese companies completed the study project for the expressway's construction. The 138-kilometer-long Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway will cost $1,638 million US dollars. The second expressway in Cambodia is critical for connecting China to Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.