$90 Million Upgrade Slated For Road to Preah Vihear

A Cambodian company plans to spend $90 million widening and improving a stretch of road from Siem Reap town through An­long Veng to the Thai border in Preah Vihear.

Project Management Consult­ant-International Trade Invest­ment plans to begin the project in November, said Kieu Kokass, the firm’s executive director.

The construction will be done by Sun Asia Royal Co over four years. The current narrow dirt road from Siem Reap to Preah Vi­hear will be replaced with a wider stone road, capable of carrying heavy truck traffic, he said.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is working with the two companies on the project. No tolls will be charged along the road.

Kieu Kokass said his company is hoping the new road will attract tourists to the nearly 200 temples in northern Cambodia which have been off-limits to most visitors because of poor access.

The company also wants to start rice and fruit growing operations near the Thai border, with the produce exported to Thai­land. The company will be asking the government to give it concession land for the agriculture operation.

Khy Taing Lim, minister of Public Works and Transport, said the government will be giving the company land along the road, but de­clined to outline details of the agreement. He said the interests of PMC-ITI also will be given priority as the area between Siem Reap and the Thai border develops.

“The government pays nothing for this road,” Khy Taing Lim said.

Kieu Kokass said private banks and businesses have agreed to fund the project with long-term, low-interest loans.

Sun Asia Royal is required to make a $9 million bank deposit—10 percent of the project cost—as a bond on the construction. The money will be returned when the road is finished.

 

 

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