The Cambodian government and the Japanese embassy inaugurated a 246.15km stretch of National Road (NR) 5, linking Prek Kdam to Battambang, and have also held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 35.14km stretch connecting Serei Saophoan to Poipet city. 

The project is financed through a concessional loan from the Japanese government. The November 22 ceremony, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Japanese ambassador Atsushi Ueno, attracted a substantial turnout.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea stated during the ceremony that the inauguration of these stretches represents a new milestone in the series of achievements across the country. He noted that these successes are a valuable legacy from the previous government under the leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He noted that the stretch of NR 5 spanned 330.89km, from Kandal province’s Prek Kdam to Banteay Meanchey province’s Serei Saophoan, and described the three segments of the road. 

“The stretch of NR 5 took seven years to be built, at a cost of $691 million in concessional loan from the Japan,” he said.

Ponea added that the northern stretch from Battambang to Serei Saophoan was inaugurated on January 10, 2022, by Hun Sen. The construction of the southern and middle stretches was completed in May 2023 and inaugurated in November.

“The construction of these two stretches cost $408.43 million, with the southern stretch costing $246.53 million and the middle stretch costing $161.90 million in concessional loans from the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and contributions from the Cambodian government,” he explained.

Ponea mentioned that the construction of the 35.14km stretch is an extension to connect NR 5 to Poipet and the Cambodia-Thai border (Poipet-Aranyaprathet). The project is expected to take 32 months and is scheduled for completion in March 2025, at an additional cost of $52.56 million.

Ueno emphasised Japan’s commitment to the Mekong region, expressing satisfaction with the project's completion. 

“We also believe that it will facilitate the smooth exchange of human resources and materials as well as goods with Thailand and Vietnam. It will contribute to making Cambodia a worthy destination for private investment and economic development and help promote the economy and improve the livelihoods of people in Cambodia and the Mekong region as a whole,” he said.

Manet stated that NR 5 was a symbol of the nation’s continuous development and economic strengthening. 

"We now have an extensive network of roads. As the old saying goes, 'Where there is a road, there is hope’. If a road is built merely as a decoration … it fails to serve the economy or benefit the people significantly. 

“However, when a road is properly constructed, it becomes the lifeblood of our nation, circulating prosperity and economic vitality. It signifies that, economically, a well-built road brings sustainability and betterment to the people," he said.

He added that in the future, there may be plans to construct additional railways as well, aiming to connect Phnom Penh with Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey provinces.