Phnom Penh, 15 July 2024: Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, along with officials from relevant ministries, institutions, and representatives from the Capital-Provincial Administration, inspected the progress of preparations for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Prek Chik Funan Techo project on July 14, 2024. The ceremony is scheduled for August 5, 2024, in Prek Takeo village, Samrong Thom commune, Kien Svay district, Kandal province, under the high presidency of senior officials.

The Funan Techo canal project, located in Prek Takeo, aims to connect to the Mekong River tributary system and the sea, covering a total length of about 180 km. It will be implemented under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The canal route will extend from Prek Takeo, crossing Prek Ta Ek, entering Prek Ta Hing, and continuing to the sea of Kep province. An estimated 1.6 million people living on both sides of the canal are expected to benefit from this project.

KEY DETAILS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE:

1. A canal width of 100 meters, a depth of 5.4 meters, and construction scheduled to take four years, beginning by the end of 2024.

2. Benefits such as reducing current distance and shipping costs, establishing commercial zones and logistics centers, developing ports, expanding agricultural, irrigation, aquaculture, and animal husbandry development zones.

3. Supporting the development of Cambodia's fourth economic pole, creating additional jobs at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, and other ports.

4. Promoting urban development, urbanization, and real estate growth.