Cambodia is embarking on a massive infrastructural overhaul with a price tag of $36.6bn as outlined in a 174-project master plan released earlier this year. The goal is to upgrade the national transportation and logistics network within a decade, in line with the government’s aim to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050. Prime Minister Hun Manet, following in his father’s footsteps, has spearheaded the campaign, seeking support from foreign allies to fund various projects. China and Japan, both with a comprehensive strategic partnership with Cambodia, are key players in funding major infrastructure initiatives in the country.
The master plan includes nine megaprojects, such as an expressway system connecting Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Poipet and upgrading existing railway lines. Shipping projects, including a proposed shipping canal to link the Mekong River system to the Gulf of Thailand, are also part of the plan. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of some of these projects, particularly the proposed shipping canal.
Despite environmental and social concerns, the Cambodian government is pushing forward with its infrastructure agenda, underpinned by its political stability and pro-China stance. The country’s rapid economic growth in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to support its expanding economy. As Cambodia navigates its relationships with major partners like China and Japan, the successful implementation of these projects will not only shape the country’s physical landscape but also its geopolitical positioning in the region.
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