Takeo: Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reiterated the Royal Government of Cambodia's commitment to further improving physical infrastructure to support socio-economic and sustainable development. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project - Section II in Takeo province this morning, Samdech Thipadei underlined that the project is part of the government's broader development efforts in the southwestern region of Cambodia.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the project will connect water transport routes from the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers to the sea, while also enhancing regional connectivity, particularly with Laos and Vietnam. H.E. Wang Wenbin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia, spoke highly of the project and reaffirmed China's firm support for Cambodia's development.

Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sun Chanthol, First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, highlighted that Cambodia stands to benefit significantly from this historic project. He noted that it will help strengthen the country's independence in water transport and improve the efficiency of production and supply chains by reducing transport costs, distances, and time, while facilitating connections with other modes of transport.

He added that the project will also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting environmental sustainability and ecosystem preservation, and creating interconnected waterways that provide new habitats for aquatic life. In addition, it will generate employment opportunities and stable incomes for communities living along the canals, and help mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts in the eastern and southwestern provinces of Cambodia.