Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television reported on July 31 that the previous day the chairman of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone had asked the government to lower transport costs, electricity tariffs and port-related expenses. The proposal sought to make businesses in the zone more competitive and attract more investors, with a goal of bringing the number of companies in the zone to 300 by 2027.
Chen Jiangang, chairman of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, made the proposal on July 30 during a meeting with Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak.
The minister said at the meeting that he would work to secure a reliable, low-cost power supply for the zone so that energy would not become a barrier to development.
Chen Jiangang also proposed a clean-energy project the zone would develop itself to supply its businesses with power. The proposal was not adopted at the meeting, but the minister said he would submit it to the government for consideration.
Chen Jiangang praised the Cambodian government’s policy support for the zone. He said that strong government backing had helped make it one of the country’s fastest-growing and most prosperous zones while advancing Cambodia’s modernization and industrialization.
Minister Keo Rottanak told Chen Jiangang that Cambodia ranked second among ASEAN countries for renewable and clean energy production, behind Laos. The minister also put the share of green energy produced in Cambodia at 62% at the time. He encouraged the zone to give priority to using that energy to attract more international investors who value environmental protection.
Written by: Nget Pisan
Photography: Lay Kol
