TAKEO PROVINCE: A significant infrastructure milestone was marked this morning in Cambodia’s southwestern region with the official inauguration of three vital national roads: National Road 31, National Road 33, and National Road 41. The US$188-million project is poised to inject dynamism into the region’s trade, investment, and tourism sectors, according to the AKP’s press release today.
The inauguration ceremony, held in O’ Saray commune, Trak Kak district, Takeo province, was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, underscoring the collaborative nature of this development.
In his address, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that the newly inaugurated road network reflects Cambodia’s ongoing progress and stands as a testament to the robust friendship and fruitful cooperation between Cambodia and the People’s Republic of China.
H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, provided key details about the extensive project. National Road 31 spans 53.539 kilometers with an 11-meter width, creating a crucial link between Bek Kuos in Takeo province and Kampong Trach district in Kampot province. National Road 33 extends for 52.577 kilometers, also 11 meters wide, connecting the bustling Kampot provincial city to the vital Prek Chak international border gate with neighboring Vietnam. Completing the trio, National Road 41 measures an impressive 95.269 kilometers in length and 11 meters in width, running from Thnal Toteung in Kandal province to Chum Kiri district in Kampot province.
The construction of these critical arteries was undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) over a 40-month period, representing a substantial investment of US$188 million. The project’s funding was secured through a concessional loan from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, complemented by the national budget of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
H.E. Minister Peng Ponea further highlighted the strategic importance of these new roads, emphasizing their pivotal role in strengthening the integration of key economic sectors. These include transport, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and the increasingly important southwestern coastal port, paving the way for enhanced connectivity and economic growth in the region.