PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has appealed to Japan to expedite a feasibility study for transforming the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) into a major regional port and logistics hub by 2050. This upgrade aims to fuel Cambodia's economic growth.

The request came during a meeting in Tokyo between H.E. Sun Chanthol, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and H.E. Saito Tetsuo, Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. H.E. Tuy Ry, Cambodia's Ambassador to Japan, also accompanied the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Japan's longstanding support for Cambodia's development. This includes contributions to infrastructure projects like National Road No. 5, the Choeung Ek sewage treatment plant, and the ongoing expansion of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (phase 2).

During his two-day visit to Japan (May 23-24), H.E. Sun Chanthol also met with Mr. Tsuyoshi Hasebe, President of Nikkei Inc. He encouraged increased Japanese investment in Cambodia's electronics, automotive, and technology sectors. This focus on attracting investment aligns with Cambodia's goal of transitioning from a labor-intensive to a skill-based economy.