PHNOM PENH: India wants to arrange direct flights to Cambodia, especially to Sihanoukville, to boost tourism and investors to the province. This was stated by the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, Devyani Uttam Khobragade, in a meeting with the Governor of Sihanoukville, Kouch Chamroeun, on Thursday at Sihanoukville Provincial Hall.
During the visit, she also mentioned India's wish to establish a sister city connection between Sihanoukville and Maharashtra in Mumbai, India, and cooperation in areas such as logistics and shipping, medical and health care, IT education and more.
She also introduced a US $50,000 financing project provided by the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, specifically focusing on the construction of a solar-powered bathroom in Sihanoukville.
On this occasion, the Governor of Sihanoukville requested the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia to help promote and encourage more Indian tourists and investors to come to Cambodia, especially to Sihanoukville, as this province is one of the four main priorities in the National Tourism Development Strategic Plan based on the province's great potential in economic resources and beautiful natural resources.
He added that Cambodia and India have had a relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation for the past 70 years, and have closely engaged in exchange the sectors of economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism and education. He further stated that Cambodians still remember that India provided humanitarian assistance at a time of great hardship and have also continued to support peace in Cambodia, giving the Kingdom the opportunity to build and develop as a nation.
The Governor also requested the Ambassador to encourage Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in the province by setting up a Covid-19 medicine factory in Sihanoukville.
The Cambodian government has continuously developed and invested in Sihanoukville, with some latest development infrastructure projects including the deep-sea port and the international airport (the length of which has been extended to 3,300 meters). Additionally, the first expressway in Cambodia was built in Sihanoukville, connecting to the capital of Phnom Penh, and will open in July 2022.
So far, the Navy of the Republic of India has docked in Sihanoukville 11 times, with a total of 16 ships docking in Cambodia. Sihanoukville has 32 islands, 175 km of beaches and mangrove forests along the coast, with great potential for tourism and investment.
