Kampot (FN), April 2 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced to build a deep seaport in Kampot province, approximately 150km south of Phnom Penh and around 5 km from the Gulf of Thailand.

“Kampot in the future will have deep seaport to boost economy and investment. Our Sihanoukville port is not enough. We need more ports,” the Premier spoke Tuesday before Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Hidehisa Horinouchi, at the inauguration of USD 26 million Japanese-grant water supply system in Kampot.

According to the Premier, Kampot could not develop without peace, stability, and good relations with bordering countries.

Kampot is a good corridor to link Vietnam to Sihanoukville to Koh Kong and to Thaland’s Trat province.

“This is a sea corridor we must connect,” the Premier underlined.

Kampot was Cambodia's most important seaport after the loss of the Mekong Delta and before the establishment of Sihanoukville. The province is well known for its fish sauce, durian fruit, and high quality pepper exported worldwide.

In 2018, trade volume between Cambodia-Thailand amounted to over USD 8 billion; Cambodia-Vietnam USD 5 billion; and Cambodia-Laos USD 24 million respectively.

Cambodia's Export-Import Report, presented by the Ministry of Commerce, indicates that Cambodia's total foreign trade volume hit almost USD 25,000 million in 2018. Cambodian exports accounts for USD 11,215 million compared to only USD 10,777 million in 2017, while the kingdom's imports hit USD 13,771 million, compared to USD 13,019 million in 2017.

In 2018, Cambodia's exports have increased by 10%, thanks to growth of garment sector and the export of agricultural and industrial products through markets in 147 countries worldwide.