Ahead of the official inauguration of National Road (NR) 5, also known as Asian Highway 1 (AH1), scheduled for the end of November, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the road’s potential to significantly enhance Cambodia’s trade. 

Manet emphasised the road’s role in boosting the nation’s economy, stating that it will provide substantial benefits by facilitating the growth of exports. The highway would not only reduce accidents and traffic congestion but also improve the lives of residents along its route through enhanced development, investment and tourism opportunities.

The prime minister also mentioned that the road is a key component of the government’s second priority in its five-point Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, which focuses on people, roads, water, electricity and technology.

Sin Chanthy, president of the Cambodia Logistics Association (CLA), remarked on November 13 that the road is a crucial trade route with Thailand, poised to bolster trade between the two nations.

“NR 5 primarily facilitates the import of goods from Thailand, including foodstuffs, agricultural machinery and cosmetics. It’s also used for exporting Cambodian agricultural raw materials like corn and cassava,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure in the transportation sector, he underlined the need for quality roads, bridges and ports to enhance trade links between the country and its neighbors, thereby fuelling the country’s economic growth.

Chea Chandara, president of the Logistics and Supply Chain Business Association in Cambodia (LOSCBA), also acknowledged the significance of the highway as a major economic network for the country, especially for transporting goods from Thailand.

“Almost all goods transported from Thailand to Phnom Penh municipality via Poipet town in Banteay Meanchey province utilise the highway. The Koh Kong-Pursat junction which intersects the road also plays a key role in the economic linkage between Thailand and Cambodia,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the 55 month project to upgrade NR 5 commenced on March 26, 2018 and was completed on January 10, 2022. Constructed with a budget of approximately $500 million, the road was built by Tekken-Taiyo Joint Venture (JV) and Daiho-Asanuma JV, with oversight from KEI-OCG-KCI JV in association with KCEC and TANCONS.

The asphalt concrete road (AC) spans 366km, passing through Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces, and is divided into three sections: north (Battambang-Serei Saophoan town), south (Prek Kdam-Thlea Ma’am) and central (Thlea Ma’am-Battambang and Serei Saophoan-Poipet town), as per the ministry.