The chairman of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) asked the Cambodian government to lower transport charges, electricity tariffs and port costs. He said the measures would make factories and businesses more competitive and help attract investment so the zone could reach 300 factories by 2027.
He also requested permission for the zone to develop its own clean-energy project to supply the factories and businesses there. He said stronger growth among those businesses would help the zone expand, create more jobs for residents and contribute more to Cambodia’s social and economic development.
SSEZ chairman Chen Jiangang raised the clean-energy proposal in a working meeting with Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak on July 30. The minister did not rule it out and said he would refer it to the Cambodian government for consideration. In response to the request for lower electricity tariffs, he said he would look at ways to help the zone secure a reliable, low-cost power supply.
Keo Rottanak toured the zone with Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Mang Sineth and other officials. He also visited General Tires Technology (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., a vehicle tire manufacturer.
The chairman credited government support with making the SSEZ Cambodia’s fastest-developing special economic zone and helping advance the country’s industrialization and modernization. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen had previously described the zone as being like his own child.
Keo Rottanak told Chen Jiangang that Cambodia ranked second in ASEAN for clean-power generation, behind Laos. He encouraged the zone to use green power produced in Cambodia to attract more investors, citing a figure of 62% for domestic green power and international support for clean energy.
The minister also advised the zone to work with his ministry and Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) to obtain a licence to use green power, which he said could help attract investors. He said the Cambodian government had worked to keep electricity prices stable despite conflicts around the world and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
Photography: ឡាយ កុល
