Sihanoukville (FN), Dec. 22 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified that the Funan Techo canal project and the expansion of the Sihanoukville port are not secret, contrary to false claims from some opposition groups.
The premier spoke on Friday (Dec. 22) during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new container terminal-Phase 1, and the inauguration for the official use of two units of mobile harbour crane at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
Samdech Thipadei further added that the construction of the Funan Techo Canal, connecting the river to the sea, and the development of the Sihanoukville port aimed to expand the national economic potential and enhance the lives of the people.
Samdech Thipadei underlined, "Some people claimed that there is a secret about the Funan Techo Canal. I do not know what the secret is; there is nothing to hide. The canal, connecting the river to the sea, along with the development of the Sihanoukville port, is not a secret. Its purpose is to expand Cambodia's economic potential, foster economic growth, and improve the prosperity of the Cambodian people. This is a crucial task.”
It should be noted that the Tonle Bassac Navigation Road and Logistics System Project was named the "Funan Techo Canal" project at the 6th Plenary Session of the National Assembly on 19 May 2023. Later on 7 June 2023, the government decided to establish an inter-ministerial commission to implement the project.
The Funan-Techo canal is 180 km long from Prek Takeo of the Mekong River, through the Prek Ta Ek of the Bassac River, then into Prek Ta Hing of the Bassac River, Koh Thom district, and extends to the Kep province passes through four provinces, including Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep, with a total population of 1.6 million people living on both side of the waterway. The waterway is 100 meters wide upstream and 80 meters downstream and a depth of 5.4 meters (navigation depth 4.7 meters and safety gap 0.7 meters), 2 lanes can get in and out and avoid each other safely.
The project will build three waterway dams, build 11 bridges, build a 208-kilometer sidewalk, and provide navigation assistance and other cross-river infrastructure. The construction of the new waterway project is estimated to cost USD 1.7 billion and take about four years to complete.
The Tonle Bassac Navigation and Logistics System project will provide many benefits, including reducing the time, distance and cost of current transport, the establishment of commercial areas and logistics centers, and the development of new satellite ports, more expansion of agriculture, irrigation, aquaculture and livestock development areas, supporting the development of Cambodia's fourth economic pole, creating more jobs at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Phnom Penh Autonomous Port and other Ports, promoting urban development and urbanization, and the promotion of real estate growth.
On 17 October 2023, Cambodia signed an agreement to allow China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) to conduct a feasibility study on the "Funan Techo Canal" project.
Separately, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port Terminal in the first phase, with 350 meters length and 14.5 meters depth with a loan of more than USD 200 million from Japan, began construction in 2022 and will be completed in early 2025.
=FRESH NEWS
