PHNOM PENH: According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea will sign a concessional loan agreement worth approximately US $245.9 million for the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge Project, on Friday, 9 December 2022.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, 8 December 2022, the new bridge will connect the Old Market to Chroy Changvar and thereafter to Areyksat.

This major project will be signed by the Minister of Economy, DPM Aun Pornmoniroth, and the Country Director of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export-Import Bank of Korea in Cambodia, Minnie Chey.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that these concessional loans provided by the Government of the Republic of Korea will make a significant contribution to the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to accelerate economic development and further strengthen the existing good relations between Cambodia and the Republic of Korea.

The Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge is expected to be a cable-stayed bridge from Chroy Changvar to Svay Chrum commune in Kandal province.

The bridge project was proposed by Prime Minister Hun Sen to the Republic of Korea during former President, Moon Jae-in’s administration, on 11 February 2020. He proposed to build a bridge from Chroy Changvar to Svay Chrum to facilitate traffic as well as boost the economy. The project was confirmed by the Korean Ambassador in Cambodia, Park Heung-Kyeong, in January 2022.

PHOTO: TVK