Prime Minister Hun Sen said the 34 roads and other infrastructure projects underway in Preah Sihanouk are preparing the province to be a model of sustainable development for Cambodia’s coastal areas and a special economic area that will attract tourists and foreign investors.

He said this at a meeting with officials in charge of Preah Sihanouk and its infrastructure. The meeting was intended to gauge the progress of development in the province.

While checking the roads, the prime minister showcased newly built concrete roads near Ream beach and showed off the good quality and the drainage systems that will be used to support the planned roadside gardens.

“The road and infrastructure production in Preah Sihanouk is a strategy that makes the province a multi-purpose model. This is a civilized commercial city and it can be the first smart city in Cambodia,” Hun Sen said.

He said all the roads will be paved and bordered by green space. The width of the roads will allow for two vehicles to drive on each side with a garden in the middle to ensure the safety of citizens.

The government has spent $300 million to build the 34 roads, the first most modern roads in Cambodia, the Prime Minister said.

Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kouch Chamroeun reported to the prime minister at the meeting that progress has been smooth and successful with collaboration from people in the community.

He said a high degree of attention has been paid to the blueprints, steel frames and technical standards of the roads which was studied by the National Committee for Cambodia’s Coastal Management and Development to ensure both quality and beauty.

“From the November 16 groundbreaking last year until now, 94 per cent of the construction has been completed, excluding rubber work, tree planting, equipping security cameras, traffic light poles and granite work,” Chamroeun said.

Watch video: