By Kay Kimsong
the cambodia daily
The Ministry of Tourism is ready to submit a proposal to Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara for the construction of a massive exhibition hall, which will be used for the upcoming 2003 Asean Tourism Forum, officials said.
The exhibition hall, which will be built on 9,000 square meters of land across the river from the Royal Palace, is part of Chea Sophara’s grand plan to beautify Phnom Penh and the Chroy Changva park. However, while construction of the park began in January and is slated to be ready just in time for the Water Festival in November, the details for the estimated $6 million exhibition center are just being completed, said Thong Khon, secretary of state for the Ministry of Tourism.
“We will start construction on the project now, or if not now then very soon,” Thong Khon said. “Right now, we have the proposal ready.”
Although the proposal is ready for Chea Sophara, the Ministry of Finance is still looking for money to pay for the project. The tourism ministry now has about half of the $6 million needed to fund the project, Chea Sophara said.
“The Ministry of Tourism located $3 million for the exhibition hall, but we are not so sure how we will get the rest, or how much money will be needed to complete the project,” Chea Sophara said. “Right now we are forming a committee to discuss the proposal and examine the details of the construction.”
According to Chea Sophara, the Ministry of Tourism will fund the entire exhibition hall project while the city of Phnom Penh will donate the land.
The issue of funding the ATF hall and the new park was in the spotlight last week after Prime Minister Hun Sen said tax exemptions on vehicle imports for parliamentarians was costing the government millions of dollars each year. The money lost through tax exemptions could earn more than enough—about $5 million—to finish the Chruuy Changvar park and could help fund the exhibition center, Hun Sen said.
Some of the construction costs for the ATF site could be funded by renting out the 400-plus booths, said Thong Khon, who said the Ministry of Tourism plans to rent them out for $1,500 each.
The Ministry of Tourism will be in charge of the exhibition hall project as well as booking some 1,500 hotel rooms and 1,500 airline seats for the participants of the ATF meeting, Chea Sophara said. He said the Phnom Penh municipality will provide security and will organize a reception and dinner party for the 2003 tourism conference.
The exhibition hall will hold more than 400 booths, a large meeting hall, board rooms and other offices. Approximately 1,500 international guests are expected to visit Phnom Penh for 7 to 10 days during the 2003 ATF meeting, which Cambodia is hosting for the first time.
Buyers, sellers, international politicians and journalists are all expected to attend the tourism conference.
(Additional reporting by David Kihara)
