PHNOM PENH: Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has affirmed that Cambodia allowed the private investment 100% in the new high-speed railway linking Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia to the Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.

The Premier made the affirmation while receiving here this morning a visiting French delegation led by H.E. Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Personal Assistant to Samdech Techo Hun Sen told reporters after the meeting.

At the same time, the Prime Minister encouraged the private investment in upgrading the two existing rail lines under the BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) format.

H.E. Olivier Becht expressed French investors' trust in investing in Cambodia thanks to the Kingdom's 20-year economic growth record, continued reform creating a conducive environment for investment, and a sizeable middle-income population.

In this regard, the French delegation decided to work with Cambodia to seek investment in high-speed rail; water, land, and air transport; construction; energy, and other sectors, he underlined, requesting Samdech Techo Hun Sen's recommendations on priority areas.

In reply, the Premier said Cambodia is encouraging investment in high-tech industries, processing industry with Cambodian raw materials such as cashew, rubber, cassava, and paddy rice, etc. for local demand and export.

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For energy, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Cambodia is using about 62 percent of clean energy and attracting more investment. Still, the country did not approve the establishment of new coal-fired power plants or hydropower dams across the Mekong River.