Sihanoukville is no longer a city in waiting; it is a city in motion. After a period of unprecedented transformation, Cambodia’s primary coastal city has emerged as a sophisticated multi-purpose economic zone, offering a unique blend of industrial power, logistical superiority, and high-end tourism potential.

The “new” Sihanoukville is defined by its maturity. Through a massive state-led investment in 34 major inner-city roads and world-class drainage systems, the city has laid the physical foundation required for long-term, stable international business.

A Strategic Global Gateway At the heart of this transformation is the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. As Cambodia’s only deep-sea port, it is currently undergoing a multi-phase expansion to accommodate larger vessels from around the globe. This makes the city the indispensable gateway for the country’s trade, positioning Sihanoukville as a critical node in regional supply chains.

Footage video: Welcome To Cambodia Channel

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Prime Minister delivered his remarks in Preah Sihanouk province while co-presiding over a ceremony alongside H.E. Xu Kunlin, Governor of China’s Jiangsu province. The event marked a significant milestone for the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ), which has now reached 200 operational enterprises.

“Cambodia, including SSEZ, welcomes investment from all countries,” Samdech Thipadei stated, highlighting the diverse international presence within the zone, which includes companies from the United States, France, Japan, and other nations, in addition to China.

He further underscored that the Royal Government, driven by the sustained support from voters for the Cambodian People’s Party, remains dedicated to attracting more foreign investment and creating essential jobs for the Cambodian people.

“To enhance employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, the Royal Government of Cambodia maintains a friendly foreign policy toward all countries—not only China, but also the United States, Japan, and others,” he stressed.

Addressing the development of the SSEZ, the Prime Minister commended its substantial contribution to Cambodia’s socio-economic growth. According to official data, the total trade volume of enterprises operating within the SSEZ reached a record US$4.07 billion in 2024, marking a significant 21.3 percent increase year-on-year.

The SSEZ, spanning an area of 11 square kilometers, is a joint venture between Chinese and Cambodian investors and stands as a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Samdech Thipadei also used the occasion to underline the strong ties between Cambodia and China, noting that China consistently supports Cambodia across various sectors, particularly in economic and political domains. He reiterated Cambodia’s firm support for the “One China” policy.

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This ambitious project aligns with the “Pentagon Strategy Phase 1” and positions Sihanoukville as a key economic driver under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The plan, solidified during a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on July 9, 2024, outlines a long-term vision with three key goals:

Cambodia’s Gateway: Sihanoukville will become a multimodal transport and logistics hub, a flourishing business center, and an international financial center.

National Development Powerhouse: The city will be transformed into a world-class destination for coastal tourism, a national center for industrial development, and a hub for technological innovation.

Sustainable Metropolis: Sihanoukville aims to become a leading ASEAN city known for its multiculturalism, commitment to environmental protection, and utilization of smart green technologies.

This vision will be achieved through a two-phase implementation:

Phase 1 (2025-2028): Focus on integrating Sihanoukville into regional trade, expanding logistics and tourism infrastructure, revitalizing the existing city, and developing new areas to attract high-value investments.

Phase 2 (2029-2038): Solidify Sihanoukville’s position as a national and regional leader in finance, trade, industry, transportation, and technology.

The city will also transform into a model green and smart city, attracting high-income residents and achieving significant economic prosperity.
The Sihanoukville Multi-Purpose SEZ Master Plan signifies the Cambodian government’s commitment to propelling the city into a prominent economic zone, a global destination, and a sustainable leader within ASEAN.

Sihanoukville’s Strong Economic Foundation

Sihanoukville boasts a strong foundation for this ambitious transformation. The province is a major player in several key sectors prioritized by the Royal Government for national economic development, including industry, trade, tourism, and agriculture. These strengths are bolstered by existing infrastructure like the Deep Sea Port, 11 Special Economic Zones (3 operational and 8 planned), Sihanoukville International Airport, and its beautiful beaches, nicknamed “Southwest Star.”

Investment and Recent Challenges

Between 2018 and 2022, Sihanoukville attracted significant investment, with 1,588 applications in the construction sector alone. These projects encompassed a total construction area of over 14.6 million square meters and represented a combined investment capital of $7.9 billion.

However, the city faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Stalled investment projects emerged as a major concern. The Cambodian government has responded with full support to revitalize the city’s investment scene.

New Incentive Packages Drive Investment

Sihanoukville recently unveiled a new Special Incentive Package, unlocking a significant $2 billion investment boost. This initiative builds on the success of the “Sihanoukville Special Investment Promotion Program 2024” launched in January. That program has already approved special benefits for 63 projects. This latest package focuses on 22 new projects valued at over $2 billion USD, further revitalizing Sihanoukville’s investment scene.

The Sihanoukville Multi-Purpose SEZ Master Plan, coupled with the government’s strong commitment to investment, signifies a new era for the city. With its solid economic foundation and focus on sustainability, Sihanoukville is poised to become a prominent economic zone, a global destination, and a sustainable leader within ASEAN.

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Led by H.E Koy Sodany, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the meeting saw active participation from relevant technical working groups and was chaired by H.E. Dr. Phan Phalla, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The session focused on two key objectives: reviewing the draft master plan in Khmer and updating the composition of the working group. Beyond the prescribed format, Her Excellency highlighted eight crucial points for consideration, including consistent technical terminology, accurate spelling, alignment with government strategies, and integration with the national transport and logistics plan.

Discussions revealed ambitious goals for Sihanoukville: becoming a renowned city in Southeast Asia, embracing smart technologies, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and fostering high-value-added industries.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport presented its comprehensive transport plan, outlining three main corridors and three sub-corridors to connect Sihanoukville seamlessly with other key regions. Those are, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh-Bavet, Phnom Penh-Poipet, and three sub-corridors: Koh Kong-Kep, Phnom Penh-Stung Treng, Poipet-O’Yadao

This productive meeting signifies a positive step towards realizing Sihanoukville’s transformation into a vibrant economic hub, attracting investment and propelling Cambodia’s growth.

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