Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) yesterday evinced interest in Cambodia’s highway projects, a statement issued by the company said.
The KEC statement follows a meeting held between top company management and Kampong Thom Governor Nuon Pharat at the KEC ex-Smart Centre in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi province in South Korea, on Friday.
The discussion focused on mutual cooperation in implementing road and transportation infrastructure projects. “The meeting has opened a new chapter in Korea-Cambodia infrastructure collaboration. It underscored the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations, particularly in the realm of infrastructure development,” the statement said.
KEC, a South Korean giant, engaged in constructing and managing roads across 26 countries has a history of successfully undertaking international projects, especially in developing countries.
KEC has carried out many projects across Southeast Asia between 2005 and 2023. “Our track sets a solid foundation for future collaborations as Cambodia embarks on ambitious highway projects aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.”
KEC President Ham jin-kyu and Pharat discussed ways for the company to participate in the Kingdom’s highway projects, the company statement said.
Speaking on the occasion, Ham said, “KEC possesses experience and capabilities to cooperate in various fields, from highway design to construction, operation and maintenance.”
Expressing optimism on the future of Korea-Cambodia relations, he said, “We hope this discussion will lead to more active exchanges as KEC and Cambodia have maintained a good relationship over a long period.”
As of now, the Kingdom is promoting two highway projects including a 400-km route connecting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Poipet at Thai border with an estimated cost of $4.2 billion and a 135-km route from Phnom Penh to Bavet at the Vietnam border to be built at the cost of $1.7 billion.
These projects are part of Cambodia’s broader strategy to improve its road networks and boost logistics and infrastructure, which are crucial for the further success of tourism and manufacturing sectors.
The Kingdom expanded its national road network by almost 300 kilometres last year, bringing the total to a record of more than 20,307 km.
The multi-billion-dollar expansion is part of Cambodia’s Comprehensive Intermodal Transport and Logistics System Master Plan (CITLS) 2023-2033 to rapidly develop the country’s road network to bolster economic growth, boost connectivity and improve life for ordinary Cambodians.
The completion of $2 billion Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, running almost 190 km from the capital to the country’s deep sea port, has been a major success in this regard.
As per the $36.6-billion CITLS, a string of major road projects have been identified to expand the Kingdom’s road infrastructure and these include the construction of nine expressways and 85 national and provincial roads, which will cost $13.6 billion.
