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(1) Infrastructural connection from one region to another helps development
The development of infrastructure in each region and geographical connectivity are important factors […] building infrastructure in each region not only helps to facilitate people’s travel activities and facilitates economic growth, but also connects regions to each other […] our people here today may want to take a picture of the current place. There is now empty land, no economic activity, except for grass. But in the next five to ten years, there will be a lot of changes […] the governor of Kandal, HE Kuoch Chamroeun has been concerned that any development in Kandal, adjacent to Phnom Penh, may result in cut (land from Kandal province) […] in the past, Phnom Penh had absorbed some districts of Kandal province […] it is not necessary to work only for the development in Phnom Penh, but all provinces must have the same development […]
(2) The east bank of the Mekong River will become a potential area of growth
I want to talk about infrastructure connectivity, especially bridge connectivity. We have seen that since 1979, we had only one and a half bridges in Phnom Penh. The one intact is the Preah Monivong bridge, and the other in half was the Chroy Changvar bridge, since it was broken in (in the time of war) […] the connection of the Chroy Changvar bridge has made the economy in the east grow step by step […] we now have more bridges (going from Phnom Penh in the west bank to the east banks of the Mekong, the Tonle Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers) that help expand economic activities in the east bank […] the connection from National Road 6A to the Khsach Kandal side and to the Vihear Suur area, connected by the Prek Tamak bridge and National Road 8, boosted economic activity with factories being placed there. Infrastructure connectivity will make the eastern region (the Mekong River grow) […] I am optimistic that the eastern region (of the Mekong River) will sooner or later become a potential area (where there will definitely be growth) […]
(3) Areykasatr will become an industrial and service city with modern infrastructure
In the future, the development of connectivity here will lead to turning Areykasatr from agricultural area to an industrial and service city like the other side. The living conditions of the people here, who are now mostly farmers, will change (with) factories, enterprises, urban development, and modern infrastructure coming that will facilitate them to live comfortably here […] we have a plan to build a Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge that connects Phnom Penh in the west bank of the Tonle Sap to the Sokha Hotel Complex (at Chroy Changvar) and then to Areykasatr of the east bank of the Mekong. However, (even) this bridge (is to come,) there is going to be not enough […] after the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, which is being built, economic activity here will increase and can help reduce travel time […] and the infrastructure connecting Areykasatr to National Road 8 will help solve (traveling time) problems for the people there as they do not have to go to the Prek Tamak Bridge (for traveling to Phnom Penh) […]
(4) Propose a study for a bridge and/or an underwater passage connecting between the Areykasatr and Koh Nora
I have seen a study on a connection from Koh Nora to Phnom Penh. I have asked the private sector to look into the possible connection between here (Areykasatr) and Koh Nora, studying the options for an overwater bridge and an underwater passage to connect and open up access for the people who live on this side of the river. In the near future, people will be able to cross the river to the National Road No. 1 without having to go far, or even detour to Koh Nora […] if there is an underwater passage, it will be even better.
Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to get this ambition fulfilled […] to improve the beauty of the Chaktomuk River […] however, we must really think about traffic […] we also are building a bridge at the Dey Ed district on the 3rd Ring Road […] which will be connecting to the Kandal section’s Lvia Em Highway […] the potential of this connection will bring development to the east of the Mekong river, not just to Areykasatr or just this 210-hectare area, but will expand to the east, connecting to National Road No. 8, becoming an industrial area, an area that is considered modern like the one on the west side […]
(5) Our citizens need to live in good environment with public spaces and parks
We can call this now a new city east of the Mekong River. Please pay attention to the infrastructure system, such as wider roads. I saw a report from the company representative that out of these 210 hectares, one-third was reserved for public infrastructure. This is the right thinking. Our citizens need to live, not only with buildings and normal living spaces, but also the good environment around them. We need to think about public spaces, public parks like on Koh Nora, and also arrange green spaces […] it is important to arrange tourist and sports areas. This is to make it attractive and lively for citizens […]
Land is getting more expensive to reserve land for the public, if we think about the value of money. If we think about the value of the economy and the benefits, both investment places are very beneficial and necessary. It is necessary to keep the space in this new city area, both infrastructure and connecting roads, as well as the roads in the city, well organized. Let the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction cooperate with the company to organize which areas and decide where shall be commercial, residential, and recreational. You may want to arrange them in orderly forms […]
(6) Houses to be built at a reasonable price, selling and paid for by installments
We see in the development project that (1) there are schools, hospitals, health centers, which are important. These infrastructures provide necessary services for our citizens; and (2) affordable housing for citizens. According to the company, the formula for construction here is not to ask money first and build (later). This means that the house is already built and then put up for sale. The whole house is purchased and then paid for by installments. So, think about creating an affordable (housing) area for our citizens to live in. This is to create opportunities for the middle-class people living in the royal palace and the citizens here […] I would like to encourage various private sectors to participate in the development of our eastern region to prosper. All this is more than just building a city, establishing a location in this place, and creating physical infrastructure buildings […]
(7) Bridging the economic gap between the east bank and the west bank
What is mentioned here is that it provides soft infrastructure benefits and benefits to the livelihood of the people, transforming from a sandy land place that only grows grass into a place that in 10 years will be covered with concrete roads, high-rise buildings, public parks, health centers, people’s residences […] which will enhance the image of Phnom Penh, especially bridging the economic gap – the gap in living standards between the east bank and the west bank. Hopefully, the what we are starting today is the first step towards (such development) in the east bank […] that will increase the potential of this adjacent area. This island is growing, the adjacent area will continue to grow, whether it is the real estate sector, the agricultural sector, and we can supply the needs of living, tourism and services in Phnom Penh because of the connectivity, transportation and services step by step, before it turns into industry and services center […]
(8) Let us keep the “Flowers of Peace”
This connection is a blossoming strategy. Someone abroad, talks about flowers blossoming, but in a sense to overthrow the government, and create war. We talk about flowers blossoming, but in a sense to plant seeds of development, and the private sector develops here so that it can flourish and lead to other places to develop more. We will transform it from a quiet place, a place that is difficult to connect with the west bank to a place that can be connected, a place where there are many people living, serving services and improving the people’s lives. This is the flower we want. The flowers of peace. The fruit of peace that we can grow in harmony. War destroys tall buildings. The other day, in a forum where I met with leaders from many countries, they wanted to study peace in Cambodia. They asked what has peace brought us? I said, if you don’t just look at the fruits of peace, but look at the results of losing peace, then you will know how valuable peace is […]
(9) To preserve peace for the Cambodian children
In 12 days, we will celebrate the 26th anniversary of Cambodian Peace Day. It is a holiday but also a day that we celebrate our survival and no longer hear gunfire like in some countries […] especially the young people here. They have a long future ahead […] you must learn to gain knowledge, build a foundation of ability to seize job opportunities to do things, to help yourselves, and help our families and society. Don’t let (them) become (a generation) without choices like those in the 70s and 80s, when they were all forced to leave homes/cities/education […]
Some say that Hun Manet and the Cambodian People’s Party talk only and tirelessly about peace. That’s right, I am never tired of it. I keep reminding people because peace is fragile. We must remember it together […] they say that Cambodia would not have peace for long. For the past 26th year, if we consider the 500-year history, it is the longest peace we have had. However, we do not want it for just 26 years […] in order to develop not only infrastructure, but also the lives of the people in the era of peace, and to increase and grow continuously. This is the fruit of peace that we must preserve not only for 26 or 30 years (but) for hundreds of years to come, for the Cambodian children […]
(10) Development is transforming what gives little to a few people into giving a lot to many
When your grandchild grows up, you may want to tell your grandchild that you were in this place when there was nothing. In 10 or 20 years later, it will has changed. This is development. Development is transforming one square meter of land, one hectare, ten hectares from a small area distributed to a small number of people into a place that creates a lot of economic activities to provide more to the people […] it is nothing like they say that “development only harms the people” […] we have put in place many policies to solve difficulties so that the people can benefit, not only for the private sector or the leaders, but also for expanding (it to reach many people). I see in the report that out of the 210 hectares, 2/3 are used to build economic activities that creates jobs, civilization, public service facilities such as hospitals, health centers, schools, infrastructure, and the other 1/3 to serve the needs of the people. I hope to see this achievement soon, not long into the future […]./.