ˇ@Chapter IX: ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@TRANSPORTATION
Due to the long time civil war and lack of maintenance, most of Cambodian national roads and city streets are in very bad condition. Due to this factor, transportation in remote areas completely relies upon the means of airplane and ship. The cost of transportation in these regions is very high. The main transportation in Cambodia is as follows:
The project for improvement of Sihanouk port has been studied several times since 1990. The first signs of movement towards implementation are currently apparent. The deep sea port of Sihanoukvill is to be integrated with the 46 international ports in Asean countries, thus enabling the opening of Cambodian markets to the regional and the world markets. The urgent re-habitation project for Sihanoukville port, under Japan soft loan program of US$ 40 millions to construct a new 240 meters terminal which will be stated very soon. This project is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2004.
In August 1995, improvement of Pochentong International Airport was underway with the assistance from the Government of France (US$20,000,000) and some works undertaken on BOT (Built-Operate-Transfer) basis by a Joint Venture among French-Malaysian and Cambodian [Societe Concessionnaire Lˇ¦ Aroport (SCA)].
The Pochentong International Airportˇ¦s foundation has been laid for the new terminal and 300M runway is being expanded. Upon completion the runway will be capable of handling the landing of Boeing 747 in 2001.
Airport direct investment under BOT or other forms of contracts to operate and manage the airports of Koh Kong , Rattanakiri and Kang Keng ariport (in Sihanoukvill) have been planned construct a new international Airport at Dam Deck District, Siem Reap province.
ADB has approved a US$ 15 million loan for upgrading/rehabilitation of the Siem Reap airport. The Cambodian airlines are linked with the neighboring aircraft such as: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Canton, China.
As for the transport infrastructure, the national road network is divided into two classes of national roads (total 4,165KM). The main national roads (No1 to No7) cover 2,177KM. The national road No 1 and No 5 are part of ASEAN highway A 1. The national road No 4, No7 and part of No 6 are parts of ASEAN highway A 2. The provincial road network covers a total length of around 3,335KM.
For linking with all the ASEAN countries, ADB considers to develop the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. In particular, several routes through Cambodia have been proposed to be included as parts of the regional and sub-regional road network. The possibilities of a Trans-Asian railway from Singapore to Kunminh, China, through Cambodia (VIA Poipet at the Cambodian-Thai border and Kampong Cham province-Snoul district in Kratie province bordering Lok Ninh in Vietnam) are under consideration.
In order to facilitate the transport of goods, most of the principal road network and rural roads, under the external assistance from ADB, UNDP, World Bank, USAID, Japan, EU, Australia and several NGOs, are expected to be repaired in the near future.
The ministry of Public Works and Transport has prepared a five year master plan (2001-2005) and this has been approved in principle by the government including the following road re-habilitation targets:
- 1st Year 992.7 Km
- 2nd Year 963.7 Km
- 3rd Year 947.6 Km
- 4th Year 896.6 Km
- 5th Year 933.0 Km
Total road length to be rehabilitated is 4, 734 Km.
In addition to the bridge over Mekong at Kompong Cham, which is being constructed and will be completed in 2002, there will be three more bridges to be constructed on national road No 6A (24,25,26). These three bridges will be financed by the Japanese government , and there will be some more bridges on national roads No 5,6 and 7 to be reconstructed for facilitating the normal traffic.
To successfully implement this five years plan which includes the re-habilitation of bridges and road maintenance. US$ 250 millions will be needed. Public investment, Loans, Private sectorˇ¦s investment under BOT formula will be included in the implementation of this plan for re-habilitation and development of the countryˇ¦ ˇ¦s road infrastructure.
Conclusion
The transportation is very important for the country development, the expensive transport cost will increase the capital of products. It is also main obstacle in the national economic growth.
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