BRI Projects Help Stabilise Cambodia’s Economy From COVID-19, say Senior Officials

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects have played a stabilising role in anchoring economic development in Cambodia during the pandemic, while there are disruptions elsewhere, according to the director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center Neak Chandarith.

Quoted in Xinhua Net on 1 September, Mr Chandarith added that BRI projects will also be significant contributors to Cambodia’s economic development in the post-COVID-19 recovery, as well as to the integration of the Cambodian economy with other economies of the world.

Since the beginning of the cooperation, Cambodia has been benefiting a lot from the BRI which mainly contributed to developing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, among others.

The remarks were made by HE Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce at the 6th Belt and Road Summit 2021 held virtually on Wednesday 1 September.

“These developments will promote trade cooperation and competitiveness of Cambodia which lead to development, economic growth, and poverty reduction,” HE Pan Sorasak said.

According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, China is the leading country in providing concessional loans to Cambodia on physical infrastructure development with a total of loan is nearly US$3 billion to date.

The government’s chief spokesman HE Phay Siphan also said that investment projects and grant aids of China provided tremendous benefits to Cambodia’s economic development during the pandemic.

BRI projects here like the construction of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway, the new Siem Reap international airport, the national stadium, and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) among others, he said.

“Despite the impact of COVID-19, construction of mega projects like the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway and the 700-megawatt power plant in Sihanoukville has made headway steadily, promoting Cambodia’s economic development,” China’s Xinhua quoted HE Phay Siphan as saying.

Once completed, those projects will play a very important role in helping boost Cambodia’s economy in the post-pandemic era, he said.

- Video Advertisement -

Related Post

Mekong River Bridge in Kratie Province Approaching Completion

The long-awaited Mekong River Bridge, stretching 1,761 meters, is on the verge of completion, now standing at an impressive 89.84%. Local authorities anticipate the temporary opening to the public in September 2025, marking a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development. His Excellency Lim Sidenin, Secretary of State and Project Director, provided insights during a […]

Gov’t Introduces Measures to Enhance Water Management in Cambodia’s Agriculture Sector

In a concerted effort to tackle the pressing challenges in water resources management, the Economic and Financial Policy Committee of Cambodia convened on March 5, 2025. The committee unveiled a comprehensive plan comprising three key measures aimed at improving water management within the country’s water and agriculture sectors. During the meeting, members deliberated on the […]

Korea-Backed USD 114 Million New Koh Kong Bridge Project Moves Forward with Feasibility Study

Five major Korean investment firms are currently conducting a feasibility study on the ambitious Koh Kong Bridge and National Road 48 upgrade project, which carries an estimated cost of USD 114 million. The project is expected to enhance connectivity between Khmer Rouge City and Cambodia’s western border, significantly improving transport infrastructure in the region. This […]

Progress Accelerates on Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge Construction

The government is speeding up the construction of the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, with active site preparations underway. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has directed technical teams from the Electricity of Cambodia and Yooshin Joint Venture to enhance their engineering and technical studies to prevent power outages during construction. On 25 February 2025, Undersecretary […]

Progress on the National Road 48 Improvement Project

As of 25 February 2025, the restoration and upgrade of National Road 48, stretching 148 kilometres from Sre Ambel to Koh Kong, has reached an impressive completion rate of 88.45%. The project, which aims to enhance the road’s quality to boost transportation, logistics, and tourism along this vital economic corridor, is on track for completion […]

Ministry of Public Works and UN Unite to Halve Road Traffic Accidents in Cambodia by 2030

In a significant effort to improve road safety, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia has partnered with the United Nations (UN) to achieve an ambitious goal: reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by 50% by the year 2030. This partnership was formalised during a high-level meeting between HE Peng Purna, Minister of […]