PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to make Kampong Chhnang Province a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as he inaugurated a stretch of National Road 5 that passes through the province on Wednesday morning.

An SEZ is an area of development in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. They aim to increase trade balance, employment, investment, job creation and effective administration. They can be established by the State, private enterprise, or a private-public joint venture.

Cambodia has over 50 SEZs according to BNG Legal, with the largest being established in Sihanoukville in 2008.

According to the PM, the Royal Government will build other infrastructure such as waterways and railways in addition to expanding the road between Kun and Kampong Cham and the road from Kampot to Sihanoukville.

He instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to work with relevant authorities at all levels to maintain and prepare infrastructure once it is built.

He also recommended strengthening road safety, facilitating traffic flow and providing more effective traffic signs to reduce the risk of accidents. He asked the public to do their part in taking care of infrastructure by respecting traffic laws.