Government to Implement Two Phases for “Master Plan for the Development of Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone”

Sihanoukville: The Ministry of Economy and Finance has announced that the government will execute the “Master Plan for the Development of Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone” in two phases, with the aim of positioning Sihanoukville as a significant economic center to drive economic growth, social development, and sustainable environmental protection.

Earlier this week, Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, who also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee for the Master Plan, led the third committee meeting. The meeting reviewed and provided feedback on the draft “Master Plan for the Development of Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone” and its “Action Plan” before submitting them to the Royal Government for approval and subsequent implementation.

The master plan envisions transforming Sihanoukville into:

Cambodia’s international gateway, serving as a multimodal transport and logistics hub, a business center, and an international financial center.

A national development hub by attracting global coastal and archipelago tourism, establishing itself as the National Center for Industrial Development and Technology Innovation.

A prominent city within ASEAN, noted for its sustainability, multiculturalism, and model green and smart city initiatives.

To achieve these goals, the “Master Plan for the Development of Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone” will be implemented in two phases:

Phase 1 (2025-2028): Focuses on integrating Sihanoukville into the regional trading system, expanding logistics and tourism sectors, improving the infrastructure of the existing city, and developing new areas to attract high-value-added investments.

Phase 2 (2029-2038): Aims to solidify Sihanoukville’s role as a national gateway and regional hub in finance, trade, industrial development, transportation, and technology. The city will evolve into a multifunctional hub conducive to entrepreneurship, green and smart city initiatives, and become a high-income, prosperous province.

Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, commended the collaborative efforts of leaders from relevant ministries and institutions, particularly the inter-ministerial technical working group, in coordinating the master plan for provincial development, which aims to elevate Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone.