The meeting, held in Beijing, focused on enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure, industry, the digital economy, and agriculture, building upon a previous Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. Cambodia has seen significant progress in infrastructure, with projects spanning land, air, and waterways, which are critical for trade and socio-economic growth.

A major topic of discussion was the Funan Techo Canal Project. DPM Sun Chanthol, who was accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Meas Soksensan, briefed his Chinese counterpart on the latest developments. He stated that the project has completed its boundary demarcation and detailed mapping for the first phase, with excavation and construction set to begin during the dry season in late 2025.

DPM emphasized the project’s long-term vision, which he attributed to former Prime Minister Hun Sen, now President of the Senate. He also noted that the project is receiving continued attention from Prime Minister Hun Manet and has the full support of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who expressed his backing during a visit to Cambodia in April 2025.

In a move to attract further investment, Cambodian DPM aslo asked the NDRC to encourage Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Cambodia, particularly in the infrastructure and logistics sectors. He highlighted the 174 projects outlined in the Comprehensive Master Plan for the Cambodian Intermodal Transport and Logistics System 2023-2033, which require an estimated investment of approximately US$36.6 billion.

In response, Vice Minister Zhou Haibing praised the strong bilateral relations and Cambodia’s support for the one-China policy. He acknowledged the successful collaboration between Cambodian and Chinese technical teams in completing the feasibility study for the Funan Techo Canal. Zhou confirmed that China will continue to support the project to ensure its progress and planned completion in 2028.

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Held over two days (September 25-26), the forum brought together transport ministers, officials, and industry representatives from around the globe. Minister Ponea outlined Cambodia’s policy framework, vision, and key achievements in building a more connected and environmentally friendly transport system.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Royal Government of Cambodia has prioritized sustainable transport as a cornerstone of its development strategy. Minister Ponea highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance connectivity, reduce environmental impacts, lower transport costs, and promote economic integration.

Minister Ponea’s participation in the forum also underscored Cambodia’s commitment to sustainable transport and its role in fostering regional and global connectivity.

Organized every year in China since 2021, the Global Sustainable Transport Forum serves as a platform for discussing pressing challenges in the transport sector, such as climate change, pandemics, and development disparities.

Participants exchanged ideas on strengthening international cooperation, building resilient transport infrastructure, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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The ceremony was presided over by  Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and H.E. Ueno Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia.

H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, stated that the construction of the additional container terminal began in May 2023 and was completed in 17 months at a total cost of approximately $37.5 million.

The project was funded in part by a $10 million concessional loan from the Government of Japan and $27.5 million from PAS’s budget and the Royal Government of Cambodia.

The new terminal, which has a depth of 11.5 meters and can handle 450,000 TEUs per year, will increase PAS’s total capacity to 1 million TEUs. This expansion will enable the port to accommodate larger vessels and meet growing demand for container shipping services.

Minister Ponea emphasized the importance of this project in enhancing Cambodia’s maritime competitiveness and attracting foreign investment. He noted that PAS has experienced significant growth in recent years, with cargo throughput increasing by 26.52% in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

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A high-level meeting was held yesterday chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol to discuss final preparations for the groundbreaking ceremony. Minister of Public Works and Transport, HE. Peng Ponea, was also in attendance.

The 180-kilometer canal will span four provinces, connecting the Mekong River to the coast. This ambitious waterway, boasting a width of 80 to 100 meters and dedicated water traffic lanes, is projected to take four years to complete.

Upon its completion, the canal is expected to benefit an estimated 1.6 million residents along its path. Inter-ministerial collaboration has been instrumental in expediting preparations, ensuring the project is on track for its August 5th inauguration under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

This monumental development signifies a significant stride in Cambodia’s infrastructure advancement and holds the promise of far-reaching socio-economic impacts.

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Prime Minister Hun Manet officiated the opening, highlighting the port’s role as a new international trade gateway. PM emphasized that the port will not only complement existing facilities but also enhance Cambodia’s overall competitiveness in the region.

The port boasts a capacity for ships up to 10,000 tons and features advanced container handling facilities, warehouses, and a ferry terminal, as outlined by H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport (MPWT). Strategically located, it connects to major roadways and railways, fostering a multimodal transportation network that seamlessly connects different parts of Cambodia.

The development of the Kampot Multi-Purpose Port directly aligns with the upcoming Techo Funan Canal project, scheduled to break ground in August 2024. This ambitious 180-kilometer canal will connect the Mekong River to the sea, further streamlining trade and travel within Cambodia.

Beyond boosting trade, the project is expected to transform Kampot province into a thriving hub for trade, tourism, and investment. Feasibility studies indicate minimal environmental impact and substantial economic benefits in areas like tourism, urban planning, and construction.

Prime Minister Hun Manet urged citizens to support the Techo Funan Canal project, highlighting its long-term advantages for the nation’s development.

This inauguration marks a significant step forward for Cambodia’s infrastructure development. The Kampot Multi-Purpose Port, coupled with the upcoming Techo Funan Canal project, promises to usher in a new era of connectivity and economic potential for the country.

According to the project’s feasibility study worth the US$1.7 billion and Funan Techo Canal project is 180 kilometres long and 100 metres wide upstream and 80 metres downstream with two navigation lanes. The construction would take around four years to complete.

The canal will link Prek Takeo of Mekong River to the sea in Kep province crossing four provinces: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep with a total of 1.6 million people living on either side of the waterway.

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HE Heng Nan, Secretary of State, led a Cambodian delegation on behalf of HE. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport. They actively participated in the forum and even co-hosted a discussion program titled “Unlocking Growth Through Infrastructure Development in Cambodia.”

The two-day AIF-2024 held from 4th-5th June, brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and financiers from across Asia to discuss infrastructure challenges and solutions. Cambodia used this opportunity to showcase its most pressing infrastructure needs and priority projects.

Presentations focused on five key areas:

• A Comprehensive Master Plan for the Cambodian Transit and Logistics System (2023-2033): This plan outlines strategies to streamline Cambodia’s transportation and logistics networks.
• Small and Medium Port Development Project: This project aims to develop ports specifically designed to facilitate the export of Cambodian agricultural products.
• Phnom Penh Logistics Center (PP LC) & Sihanoukville Logistics Center (SHV LC): These two projects involve the development of major logistics hubs in Cambodia’s key cities.
• Wastewater System and Landfill Improvement Project: This project focuses on improving sanitation and waste management infrastructure in Cambodia.

Cambodia estimates that a total of $36.6 billion is needed to complete these and other prioritized infrastructure projects. The presentations at AIF-2024 aimed to attract investment from development partners, international institutions, and regional investors to bridge this funding gap.

This move highlights Cambodia’s commitment to infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth. By attracting investment for these projects, Cambodia hopes to improve its transportation networks, boost agricultural exports, enhance logistics capabilities, and modernize its sanitation and waste management systems.

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The discussions took place on May 20th at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in Phnom Penh. H.E. Peng Ponea, the Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport, and H.E. Shaharuddin Onn, the Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia, led the talks. The meeting aimed to further strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Following the discussions, there was a ceremony to recognize Cambodian civil servants who had completed a railway construction training program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Minister and Ambassador presented certificates to four participants from the Department of Railways who successfully finished the course.

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The information was shared by H.E. PENG Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, in a discussion about the progress of KITP development with H.E. Pen Bona, Minister Delegate and Head of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit posted on the ministry’s Facebook page on May 5.

The minister continued that KITP, whose construction began in Aug. 8, 2018 and ended in June 30, 2022, was a part of tourism infrastructure development project under an ADB’s financing of US$9.27 million.

Even though the construction was completed, the port has not yet been put into use because an operation company with enough investment capital (from US$5 to US$10 million) and experience to dig deeper and wider waterway are required along with more detailed study of navigation techniques, installation of navigation aids, and investment in the port’s safety infrastructure to ensure that KITP becomes a full tourism port in accordance with national and international standards, H.E. Minister explained.

H.E. PENG Ponea continued that once in operation, KITP will give many benefits such as creating new international seaport for the country for connection from archipelagos in Cambodia to countries in the region and the world, increasing trust among local and international visitors, providing job opportunities and more incomes for local people and enterprises, as well as supporting key policies and measures of the Royal Government to promote tourism sector, augmenting national economic profit and so on.

The minister further added that, though Cambodia has now a total of 119 ports and port terminals, of which two are international ports – Phnom Penh Autonomous Port & Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, 88 along the river, and 31 at coastal areas, they have still not met the real needs of the country’ geographical areas.

In this regard, H.E. PENG Ponea said transport ministry has also been preparing Cambodia port master plan 2050.

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The ambition was highlighted by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at a get-together with civil servants, workers and employees at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port this morning, on the occasion of the 138th anniversary of the International Labour Day (May 1) under the theme “One enterprise as One Peaceful Community”.

The Premier added that the port sector is one of the priority sectors to which the Royal Government pays attention by increasing investment funds and mobilising financing to further develop the port infrastructure.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is considered as a national economic gateway with character as a strategic entity in supporting international trade activities for economic growth in the past, at present and in the future, he said, stressing that this port not only increases revenue on the spot, but can also be a driving force for economic growth in Sihanoukville as well as the country’s whole coastal region.

According to H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port plans to further expand its capacity through the construction project of a new deep container terminal-phase 2 of 400 metres long and 16.5 metres deep, and the phase 3 of 430 metres long and 17.5 metres deep, along with supporting modern technical equipment.

The phase 1 began in December 2023 under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Ishibashi Rintaro, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.

The construction project of the 350-metre-long-and-14.5-metres-deep container terminal-phase 1 will last 36 months and cost some US$243 million, an ODA loan from the Government of Japan.

Once in operation, the new container terminal-phase 1 will be able to handle 93 percent of regional vessels, up from the current 18 percent, while the costs of sea freight will be reduced by US$200 per TEU, a similar cost to that of other countries in the region.

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As of March 2024, the project has achieved 32% overall physical progress. Bridge construction itself is already at 45.5%, exceeding expectations. This positive development comes after a recent inspection by Cambodia’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, HE Minister Peng Ponea, along with other officials.

While the project was initially planned for completion in September 2026, construction companies involved in the project, including Shanghai Construction Company (SCG), reported progress exceeding expectations, indicating an earlier completion date.

The bridge project is a collaborative effort between the Cambodian and Chinese governments, funded by a US$114 million concessional loan from China. The loan covers construction costs, with Cambodia contributing to demining efforts and other project-related taxes.

Minister Peng Ponea urged all stakeholders to prioritize construction safety and maintain high technical standards to ensure the bridge’s longevity.

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