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(1) The High School Diploma Examination Ran Smoothly
[…] Nevertheless, the implementation and execution of this (High School Diploma) examination process ran very smoothly. I would like to commend His Excellency Academician Hang Chuon Naron for initiating and organizing this work, as well as all relevant institutions for their participation and implementation — especially teachers everywhere for leading and organizing, including ensuring stability, security, and a conducive environment for our nephews and nieces to take the exam nationwide. Thank you to the students and their parents for encouraging them, especially those who traveled far to take the exam. I saw parents packing food, sitting, and fanning their children, and holding umbrellas for them. This demonstrates the parents’ desire to see their children succeed. The children also want to succeed through their own hard works […]
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(2) Developing Public Squares in Provinces/Cities for Citizens
During the previous mandate, and especially this current mandate, I have noticed that many provinces across the country have focused on building [achievements within their respective provinces and cities]. I think that competing to organize public spaces is good. Firstly, it is for the citizens within the province and city. We start from the provinces, and in the future, we can expand to districts and other places because society needs well-being.
Organizing spaces nicely to attract outside tourists is one thing, but the priority should focus on [arranging them] for the people living locally. We try to invite outsiders, but outsiders will only come when a place is bustling with activity. And the first ones to make it bustling are the local people themselves.
Secondly, the locals are the province’s primary resource. Walking in just now, I asked a teacher whether there are any activities here now that the place has been arranged like this. She said, “In the evening, people come and dance all over the place.” Now, it is not ordinary dancing; they dance for fitness. Exercising on land can be difficult, so you just set up a sound system for [aerobics and dance workouts].
I’ve seen on Facebook that in some places, like Walk Street, they do traditional Ramvong dancing. You gain a double benefit – sports and fitness, plus learning traditional dance steps. There are even instructors. For the young people, they have fun modern dance moves. But ultimately, it remains an activity aimed at well-being — leaving work after a stressful day at the office and taking a walk in the public park.
(3) “Anonymous Philanthropists” Initiate and Rally Stakeholders to Organize the Public Park in Stung Treng
I would like to commend the Provincial Governor, His Excellency Sor Soputra, as well as all civil servants and relevant stakeholders who built this place. When I was in the Royal Cambodian Army, I frequently visited this province because I came to Military Region 1, especially during the formation of Division 128. Back then, there was a restaurant that served delicious braised river catfish (Pa Sei Y). I used to go to that restaurant and the one in front of the market.
Driving past recently, I saw zinc sheets blocking off the gas station and the whole row along there. I asked the Provincial Governor what they planned to do with that area — were they planning to turn it into a public park or something else? When His Excellency Sor Soputra became the Provincial Governor, he came to report to me on general affairs, and I asked him about that location. He said the land issue there had not been resolved yet; one plot was related to a gas station, while the rest was reserved for development.
I told him, “Why develop right in the middle of the road? That place should be arranged as a public park for the citizens, especially since it’s near the market.” Stung Treng’s main population hub is concentrated right there. As a central downtown area, it should be organized as a public space, just like around the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh. Therefore, we initiated the idea and called on all stakeholders to coordinate and negotiate. That is why people call it the “Anonymous Philanthropists.” I told them to just go ahead and do it, and through coordination, it was successfully completed.
(4) The Public Park in Stung Treng Can Host Major Events
Thank you to all relevant parties, including the private sector, who participated in helping build this place, managing to complete it in just 24 months. It was built very quickly. I asked the provincial governor just now — he lost 17 kilograms. I said there are only two possibilities – either his shirt is loose, because he lost weight, or he had a new, larger shirt made. He said his shirt is still the same, but he lost 17 kilograms. Building achievements in the province is a task that requires dedication.
Thank you for this thoughtful initiative. The citizens’ welfare park is a gathering place. This location can host events with thousands of attendees — up to 10,000 people like today — because half of the square is still available. You can organize major events or big concerts right here. Even the World Cup could be screened on a projector screen. Big events for the citizens can be organized in this space.
In the evenings, provincial hall officials can take a stroll around here before heading home. If the husbands check in in front of here, because their wives ask why they are getting home so late, they can say they were caught hanging out [at the park]. If you want to know, just ask the province; the governor right here is a witness.
(5) Preah Vihear Province to Have a 6-Hectare Public Park, Boeung Kanseng in Ratanakiri is Beautiful, and Kratie Has Its Riverside
Just yesterday evening, His Excellency Kim Rithy [Governor of Preah Vihear Province] reported on the development of a public park in Preah Vihear Province. The province has up to 6 hectares of land, featuring a large pond slated for restoration and a running track for citizens. I said this is wonderful. Bringing in outside tourists is one thing, but let’s not forget the local residents. Arranging things this way serves our citizens well and contributes to properly organizing our towns, districts, and provinces.
His Excellency Nhem Sam Oeun [Governor of Ratanakiri Province] is also here. I haven’t visited [Boeung Kanseng] yet, but yesterday evening I saw a video posted about Boeung Kanseng. It is beautiful. I haven’t been there in person yet, only heard about it. At first, I thought it was AI because it looked so gorgeous. When I zoomed in, I realized they were actually real people. The last time I went there, nothing had been developed yet — there was just a restaurant on a small hill overlooking the lake, which has a floating island. Now that it has been landscaped into a park and restored, this is fantastic. In Kratie, it’s like along the riverside […]
I say that competing to organize urban aesthetics like this is a great thing. Our cities aren’t just competing domestically; they are even winning awards abroad. Phnom Penh and several other provinces have gone to receive Clean City Awards internationally, such as within ASEAN. This means they meet international standards. When standards are international, it means local citizens get to enjoy achievements that offer comfort and a high standard of living, which is a great source of pride.
(6) Stung Treng Citizens Participated in Intervening for the Cause of Territorial Defense in the Region 4 Direction
On the occasion of the today’s event, I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to the people of Stung Treng who have participated in the cause of defending our territory, especially Division 128. His Excellency Miech Samut reports to me every day regarding the situation of [territorial integrity], and they have fought to defend the territory by going out to intervene in the direction of Military Region 4.
Just a moment ago, the report also mentioned the regret over some casualties and injuries, and that the 18 individuals captured by Thailand were mostly from Division 128. We worked for nearly six months to negotiate and bring them back. When meeting with their families, I asserted that we absolutely had to demand their return.
Nevertheless, let us use this opportunity to express our thanks and gratitude to the heroic soldiers, national police officers, and military police officers who have been and are currently stationed to defend the territory there, along the border areas with Thailand, as well as along other borders.
(7) Thank You to the People of Stung Treng for Trusting the Leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party
Regardless of which country’s border it is, we continue to maintain stability and security. Our military and armed forces have also participated in resolving border issues peacefully and supporting the border demarcation efforts of the committee and the Secretariat of Border Affairs, [represented here by] His Excellency Lam Chea, who is also present.
We have negotiated to resolve and plant additional border pillars. It is the same with Vietnam. We also have engineering corps who have been overcoming challenges, despite the facts that the paths are full of mines, to build roads along the border. Every single kilometer requires clearing a significant number of mines, especially in places that were heavily bombed during the Vietnam War. We persevere [in fulfilling our duties] to build and develop the country.
I would like to thank all citizens, especially the people of Stung Treng, for trusting the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party, under the leadership of Samdech Techo, who built and [defended] the country starting from 1979 until the end of the previous mandate, and who continues to lead, provide numerous jobs [for the citizens], win overwhelming electoral support for our achievements, and grant trust and the opportunity to continue leading.
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(8) The Potential of the Northeastern Economic Pole Includes Agriculture, Agro-Industry, and Tourism
Earlier, I mentioned that the provinces in the northeastern region serve as an economic pole, but compared to other economic poles like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, we are still somewhat limited. Several factors prevent it from matching the potential of other economic poles, such as being far from major urban centers, the sea, and major air and water transport hubs, as well as having a smaller population.
However, the northeastern provinces also possess potential that certain other provinces and regions do not have — for example, potential in agriculture, agroindustry, and tourism. Most importantly, we must look at what we have and strive to extract benefits to develop this area. The primary factor we can achieve — first and foremost — is ensuring the environment, stability, security, and peace.
We can say that peace is our absolute highest priority. Because once there is no peace, there is no security and stability. Once fighting breaks out, there is no such thing as safety and public order; people are merely busy running from bullets and spending on warfare.
(9) Preventing Northeastern Provinces from Becoming Transit Hubs for Crime and the Black Economy
The implementation of the Win-Win Policy was aimed at ending the war. This area was also once associated with conflict, involving both internal warfare and the era of the Vietnam War. The northeastern provinces suffered the impacts, but those conflicts were eventually brought to an end through the Win-Win Policy. We have secured an environment where Khmers have stopped fighting Khmers, allowing us to concentrate our forces on building and strengthening investments in education, training, healthcare, and various other sectors, as well as attracting investment into the country. We can consider Stung Treng Province a priority province for security matters.
I would like to commend the provincial administration, the provincial police commissariat, the provincial gendarmerie, and the provincial military operational zone for their participation in maintaining security. This location serves as a major transit zone for certain types of transnational crime related to Laos and other countries, which necessitates tightened management. In the past, there have been interceptions and crackdowns on illegal cross-border activities and cross-border drug trafficking coming from other countries. Countering this is a crucial task, and I urge the provincial authorities and all competent law enforcement agencies to continue this work with high dedication, ensuring that our province is never involved in dangers — specifically, keeping the black economy out of our province entirely.
(10) No War, Guaranteeing Security, Stability, and Safety, Must Also Be Paired with Correct Development Policies
Because it is a remote province, it can pose challenges for certain livelihoods, but it can also inadvertently favor illicit businesses and activities that threaten social security. We must work together to prevent and counter criminal networks — whether within the province, inter-provincial, or transnational — by strictly enforcing the law. This is the kind of environment we want to guarantee.
Once a province’s reputation becomes tainted, it is very difficult to clean up. It is like a car driving past for a moment, splashing mud onto you; it takes time to clean it off. Therefore, do not let it get stained, do not walk near the mud, do not bring mud onto yourselves, and you must preserve [your reputation]. First, about war. Now that we do not have war, we can [guarantee] security, stability, and safety for our citizens. If a country is insecure and unsafe, and its reputation is compromised, no one will come. Let alone inviting tourists or investors, even the locals will find it difficult to live there. This is an environment that must be protected at all costs.
Secondly, regarding policy. After achieving a stable environment, if there are no correct policies in place, development remains impossible — no matter how much natural potential or how great a geographical advantage the place has. If the policy is wrong, problems will inevitably follow.
(11) Please Think – “In My Role as Provincial Governor, What Achievements Have I Built and Left Behind for the People of This Province?”
I remember telling His Excellency Sor Soputra when he assumed the position of Provincial Governor, “One major principle upon taking on this job is: do not think about what you will gain or take from this role.” No. Instead, you must think, “In my work as Provincial Governor, no matter how many years I serve, what achievements will I build and leave behind for the people of this province?” That is the right goal.
If you take on a role just thinking about what benefits you can personally extract from it through that position, your mission is finished. You must think – through this role, what can I accomplish to leave behind for the nation as a core duty in serving the country? For all civil servants, especially institutional leaders, having the right policy is of paramount importance. The organization of this place transformed a private investment site into a public space.
We can zone private investments within the province by designating which areas are for public use and which are for the private sector. Everyone coexists. We share the space and thrive together. For example, as a provincial governor, one could hand this location over to the private sector for development and develop somewhere else instead. Therefore, the decision-making process is neither right nor wrong, but we must carefully consider what will bring the greatest benefits to our citizens.
(12) No Matter the Circumstances, the Lives and Livelihoods of the People Remain the Core Focus
The formulation of policies by the Royal Government, as well as by the provinces, takes the nation and the people as its core focus, no matter the circumstances. The liberation of the country in 1979 was also fundamentally centered on the lives and livelihoods of the people. Otherwise, the patriots at that time — numbering just over 10,000 survivors who fled to take refuge in Vietnam — could have simply stayed there rather than turning back to face bullets to liberate the country.
Nevertheless, they risked their lives to liberate the nation and rebuild it from scratch, generation after generation, with the Royal Government continuously striving for development. It is the same for the policy regarding the northeastern region. Yesterday, during the semi-annual meeting with the Supreme Council for Consultation and Recommendation, the leader of a party delegation brought up the CLV-DTA (Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area).
If analyzed, there is nothing to worry about; it is simply a local development policy, but poor information dissemination distorted it, creating misunderstandings that it was a matter of ceding four Khmer provinces to others and losing sovereignty. I ask – “have the people of Stung Treng lost their sovereignty yet?” I do not wish to keep bringing this up, but regarding the root cause of why we have the CLV-DTA, Samdech Techo has already explained that he was the initiator, and it was certainly never intended to hand our country over to anyone.
(13) The CLV-DTA Development Plan Was Formally Assisted and Prepared by Japan
However, when the war ended in 1998, provinces like Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri were completely isolated. We can say Kratie was slightly closer since National Road 7 from Kampong Cham wasn’t too bad, but Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, and Stung Treng were truly remote. Traveling from Mondulkiri to Ratanakiri used to require an overnight journey by car, unlike today where National Road 76 allows for fast travel — provided everyone drives safely. From Snuol to Mondulkiri, and National Road 7 leading to the two bridges in Stung Treng — the Sekong Bridge and the Mekong Bridge — it wasn’t always connected like this before.
To accelerate the construction and development of this region, what did we need to do? Where should we connect the economic arteries so that the area could achieve synergy and rapid growth? In 1999, we developed the entire country. Even though Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap were not yet fully developed, development was happening everywhere. At that time, we also initiated cooperative development efforts involving 13 provinces across 3 countries: 4 provinces from Cambodia, 4 provinces from Laos, and 5 provinces from Vietnam, combining to form a master plan for regional development.
This regional development plan was not written by us, nor by Vietnam, nor by any single country; it was assisted by international partners. I met with the Japanese experts who helped design the project. He expressed deep regret and came to explain to us, asking Cambodia not to misunderstand that the project was drafted to cede the country to anyone or cause a loss of sovereignty. Instead, it was designed to create synergy among the three countries, connecting similarly remote regions so they could grow together. I told him, “The Royal Government of Cambodia has no misunderstandings. Under the leadership of Samdech Techo, the Royal Government initiated this concept, and we have been working on it for many years with substantial investments already made.”
(14) Even Without the CLV-DTA Development Framework, the Northeastern Region Remains a Top Priority for the Royal Government
Our decision to withdraw in 2024 was not because the program was flawed, but rather to eliminate lingering doubts among the citizens regarding how the program operated. In reality, cooperation still exists. We cannot completely sever cooperation. Right now, we have issues with our western neighbor due to war. We have cut off some relations, but not entirely — closing land borders and downgrading diplomatic ties, yet people still cross, and goods move via waterways and other means because we cannot lift our country away, nor can we put up a fence for a million years.
Along the border, residents cross back and forth. Sometimes they need to cross over for medical treatment or to buy goods to bring back here. When I visited Kampong Sralao II to inaugurate a school, just crossing the water brought you to Laos, and children would sometimes boat across to attend school. Geography is inherently interconnected. More importantly, our development continues. With or without the CLV-DTA cooperation framework, we have never lost our sovereignty. I affirm that whether or not [development under the CLV-DTA framework] exists, the northeastern region remains firmly within the priority principles of the Royal Government.
(15) A Vision for the Tonle Lpou Bridge and National Road 78.5 Leading to the Dragon’s Tail Region
His Excellency Sor Soputra briefly reported on some of the major achievements we have built since after 1979, noting that following the war, we began constructing step-by-step as our capabilities allowed. We already have a great deal of infrastructure connecting these four provinces, and more is underway. Currently, National Road 7 connects Kampong Cham to Kratie, up to Stung Treng, and straight to Trapaing Kriel across the Sekong Bridge. Now, we are linking up with Laos to build another bridge across the Tonle Lpou, which is currently under negotiation — in the future, we will connect them. We are also thinking about railways and other projects.
The Ministry of Agriculture has negotiated with the Lao side to enable the transport of agricultural products directly to the Chinese market by land straight through Laos. In the future, agro-industry products from the northeastern provinces won’t need to be transported all the way to Sihanoukville; they can go directly up from here through Laos. Conversely, goods from Laos can come down this way too. There will be exchanges in tourism and other sectors as well.
Regarding the connection of National Road 7 and National Road 76 […] we are currently integrating National Road 78.5 into our planning, running from Banlung to the Dragon’s Tail. The Dragon’s Tail is an area that no one has been able to reach from our side of the territory because the terrain is too steep. Visitors previously had to enter through Vietnam instead. I gave instructions to His Excellency Khvann Seam when we were building the border road, saying, “Uncle, you must persevere and make it happen, no matter the distance or winding path.
It must be built so that Khmer citizens can travel entirely on Khmer soil all the way to the Dragon’s Tail — the very tip of the Mom Bei intersection between Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos — without needing to enter Vietnam or any other country.” With the addition of National Road 78.5, our network there will become even more interconnected and accessible.
(16) Upcoming Inauguration of Provincial Road 377 in Kratie, and the Northeastern Region’s Green Energy Potential
Roads are like blood vessels; wherever they reach, they nourish the surrounding organs. Therefore, it is said that where there is a road, there is hope. When a road reaches a certain place, the citizens’ livelihoods improve, villages begin to form, economies emerge right there, and territorial defense is reinforced. In two weeks, I will be going to inaugurate additional roads in Kratie—specifically Provincial Road 377, which is quite long, along with another bridge at Prek Prasop connecting Kratie to Kampong Cham to foster growth in that area. We will continue building and developing our infrastructure further. Aside from bridges, we have the O’Te Dam in Mondulkiri and hydroelectric power projects here. This provides a distinct advantage in attracting investments due to proximity to the primary sources of hydroelectric power.
We can also leverage electricity pricing as a preferential policy to attract investors. Nowadays, companies demand power from clean sources. Price is one factor, but they also want green energy — so-called renewable energy from wind, water, and solar. In some countries, they stipulate that if a company purchases products from manufacturers that use renewable electricity, they receive credits or relaxed import-export terms. Green energy in the northeastern provinces could serve as just such an attraction. We are currently studying projects along the Srepok River in Mondulkiri and planning wind power generation. Therefore, investing in energy and connecting infrastructure is crucial here.
(17) Plans for Four New Border Ring Roads in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri Provinces, Along with Engineering Structures
Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank Khmer citizens across the country and abroad who recently contributed to the infrastructure development fund, which previously focused on building border ring roads. Up to this point, I have checked with the engineering corps regarding the 66-day mass mobilization campaign – 720,000 citizens and monks both inside and outside the country, along with 105 organizations/individuals, have contributed nearly $27 million in funds.
We plan to build four new ring roads within the geographical areas of Mondulkiri Province, spanning 147.42 kilometers, and Ratanakiri Province, spanning 97.48 kilometers, alongside the construction of numerous engineering structures such as bridges. Currently, work results have achieved over 95% completion. Among them, Mondulkiri Province has reached 100%, while Ratanakiri Province has completed the clearance to its target, though it continues to refine and construct engineering structures like bridges.
I told the engineering corps to erect a large stone inscription along that section of the road stating, “This road was built under a fund contributed by citizens nationwide,” and I warmly invite the citizens to come and see the road they helped build. Those who did not contribute can also come to visit, as this is a road for our entire nation born from the participatory spirit of citizens concerned about the border. Now, through this construction, there is no question of a lack of transparency.
I wanted to provide this update, though in reality there is a dedicated page for it, as I emphasized that transparency is a must. Whatever funds are received must be accounted for through press conferences and regular updates. I want this to be seen as a masterpiece resulting from the participation of the great Khmer family in helping develop the four provincial regions alongside our border areas.
(18) Citizens Nationwide Can Travel and Witness Local Development Through the Connected Road Network
This is an ongoing effort that we will continue to pursue. We currently face issues along the Thai border where certain roads are affected, such as Route 58, but we can never abandon these considerations under any circumstances. We must keep going — how could we possibly abandon it? People must live there, and there must be active usage. This includes our armed forces and police officers who constantly patrol and protect the area, as well as citizens living and building their livelihoods. Above all, it is a source of pride that many places we could never reach in the past will be accessible to our children and descendants in the future. I urge Cambodian citizens across the country who are planning trips to tourist destinations to travel domestically and explore different provinces via our newly connected road network.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some people didn’t realize how much Cambodia had developed. With flights abroad grounded due to COVID-19, people flocked to visit Mondulkiri. Mondulkiri ran out of guesthouses because so many people arrived, forcing some to stay at the “thousand-star hotel” — laying mats out on the grass to look at the thousand stars in the sky. In some places, visitors couldn’t stay for two nights, so, as long as there were roads, they kept moving forward. They drove through to Ratanakiri, the road to Stung Treng, crossed the Sekong Bridge to Trapaing Kriel, returned across the Mekong River Bridge to Thala Borivat, and headed onward to Preah Vihear. Some even went to Preah Vihear, crossed through Pailin, and took Route 58 to Banteay Meanchey. Thus, our connectivity is rich and diverse.
(19) April 2025: Promoting Investment in the Northeast Due to Good Infrastructure, Environment, and Stability
Domestic tourism is a crucial foundation. Therefore, let’s not overlook local tourists; people from within the province and neighboring districts come to visit, and citizens from various provinces across the country also travel around. These locations feature well-organized, high-potential tourism sites that can attract visitors to come and see what they have to offer. Before people come to invest or engage in business, they usually visit and explore first. Sometimes, it is precisely the influx of visitors that prompts the development of supporting infrastructure.
I believe that Stung Treng and the other four provinces will reap the benefits of growth because the Royal Government has implemented policies for connecting infrastructure, various structural arrangements, and negotiations to open up border crossings with neighboring countries to establish Special Economic Zones and facilitate smoother trade.
In the future, the cross-border movement of goods will become even easier, further enhancing our appeal. Last year, prior to the outbreak of conflict with Thailand — specifically around April 2025 — I announced the promotion of investment in the four northeastern provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia for 2025 and 2028, aimed at encouraging investment into this region because it now possesses good infrastructure, a pristine environment, and strong stability. While many general incentive policies already exist, the Royal Government has also established specific guiding principles to sharply focus on attracting investments directly to the northeastern provinces.
(20) Three Measures to Support and Promote Investment in the Northeastern Region
For this task, I initiated a pilot program in Sihanoukville Province — specifically the Sihanoukville Investment Recovery Promotion Program starting in 2024 — by establishing a dedicated special working group. Normally, certain investments must go through standard procedures and apply directly to the CDC (Council for the Development of Cambodia). Therefore, we have now set up a working group featuring an inter-ministerial mechanism equipped with the authority to expedite decisions up to a certain level, led by His Excellency Hean Sahib, to review and facilitate the implementation of investment projects.
According to reports checked with His Excellency Hean Sahib up to July, the program—which covers agriculture, agroindustry, and tourism — has implemented three key support and investment promotion measures:
- Tax and Customs Measures – providing preferential incentives and tax encouragements specifically for investors in this region.
- Financing Below Market Interest Rates – offering low-interest loans exclusively for those investing in this area to offset the challenges of distance, transportation costs, and other factors.
- Production Cost Reduction and Procedure Simplification – assisting in lowering production costs, streamlining administrative procedures, and supporting investment activities to avoid overly complex processes and multi-layered approvals across numerous ministries and institutions, allowing this commission to make direct decisions.
We have established this dedicated working group specifically to drive and execute these measures effectively.
(21) The Northeast Received 72 Investment Proposals Worth $2.7 Billion, Creating Over 80,000 Jobs
This policy has been successfully rolled out, and as of August 7, 2026, the four northeastern provinces have received a total of 72 investment proposals, of which 57 projects have been reviewed and are undergoing further processing. The total investment capital for these 72 submitted projects amounts to $2.7 billion. Once implemented across the four provinces, these projects will generate over 80,000 jobs (nearly 83,000 positions). Looking at the country’s (investment status) as a whole for 2026 up to August 7, incoming investment projects reached 214 projects, valued at nearly $4 billion, creating 140,000 jobs. Based on data from 2023, 2024, and 2025, there is a common saying: “Many projects are registered, but be careful that few are actually implemented.” However, over these three years of registration work, 95.75% of the projects registered to request investment approval actually materialized into reality. This means that out of every 100 projects seeking investment principles, 95 were successfully executed, with only 5 not proceeding. This is a significant achievement.
(22) “Cambodia Remains Attractive for Investment; Policies and Potential Remain Competitive …”
Some people say, “Our country only hears about war. Our country only hears about scams and other issues. No one is coming.” That is not true. Yesterday, during the meeting of the Supreme Council for Consultation and Recommendation, some party delegations also expressed the view that “no one is coming.”
That is not the case. We must address both minor and major issues as they arise, but investment remains attractive. Cambodia remains compelling to investors. Our policies, our people, and our potential remain competitive, and we continue to strive to resolve various issues to facilitate investment, attract more capital, and create favorable conditions for both foreign and domestic investors — whether small, medium, or large scale.
We will continue our efforts to support informal businesses to strengthen our internal economic foundation. We have been doing this nationwide, and in the northeastern region — including Stung Treng Province — His Excellency Sor Soputra reported that our province has received 9 projects and is striving to attract even more. Nine projects cost him 17 kilograms [of weight]. If he loses another 17 kilograms and reaches 20 projects, that would be even better.
(23) Northeastern Provinces Must Strengthen Internal Procedures and Competitive Public Services to Attract Investment
Organizing, strengthening, and streamlining the internal procedures and public services of the provinces is a critical factor. While we strengthen the national framework to compete with other countries in attracting investment, investors entering our country must choose – do they go to the capital or the provinces? And if the provinces, which one? Infrastructure and electricity are important factors, but above all, the quality of internal provincial services matters — when investors arrive, they must not face unnecessary difficulties.
Upon reaching Stung Treng Province, they should not have to worry about such hurdles. The province must have a dedicated working group to assist them like VIPs – processing documents quickly, issuing licenses smoothly, resolving land or other operational matters without (giving them) headaches, and providing immediate solutions whenever challenges arise. That is true competitiveness. Today, we also have several neighboring provinces.
While the northeastern region functions as a single bloc preparing to compete externally, the four provinces within it also compete among themselves. However, this competition must be positive — do not trip each other up or resort to tarnishing one another’s reputations just to pull ahead. Absolutely not. It must be healthy, positive competition focused on enhancing public services and support services for both foreign and domestic investors, SMEs, and various other sectors to create the most favorable environment possible.
(24) Nation-Building, People’s Livelihoods, and Provincial Attractiveness Will Remain Etched in the Hearts of Citizens Across Generations
Why do we do all of this? It is to ensure our province prospers and moves forward rapidly. I told Soputra: “Look! This is what we must accomplish during our generation. Whether it’s one term or two, make sure these achievements are created during the tenure of this provincial governor.” We must view this as a unique opportunity gifted by our chance to serve the people in this leadership role. None of us will occupy these positions forever; no one stays in office for a lifetime. However, we have participated in building a positive cyclical phase of national development. The living standards of our citizens and the growing appeal of the province will transform and remain permanently etched in the hearts and memories of citizens across all generations.
People might remember that among all provincial governors, this generation’s governor weighed over 100 kilograms — a big governor. But let them remember more than just physical stature. We assist not only the provinces but every institution, unit, and level — both national and sub-national. When we eventually retire, even though our active service ends, we can take joy in knowing we contributed, left behind lasting foundations for the people, and provided successors with an even stronger base to build upon for all our provinces. Through dedicated efforts to reform and strengthen public services, we help reinforce the connectivity of our country – the national level strives with national efforts, and the sub-national level strives with local efforts. While it may not be absolute perfection, our unwavering commitment drives continuous progress.
(25) Decentralization of Authority Must Go Hand in Hand with the Decentralization of Responsibility
Nothing is ever completely perfect. The moment we think something is “perfect” is the exact moment we begin to decline. What does that mean? It means we start letting go of our grip, assuming everything is fine, and we fail to acknowledge the reality of what still needs strengthening. Thinking that something is “perfect” is the very pitfall that leads to failure. Instead, we should say: “We have done well, but we can still do even better.” It is the same for the provinces. They may have competed and secured nine projects, but that is still not enough — we want to reach 20 projects within the next 12 months. What kind of projects are we attracting? Having successfully developed one area, we now have the ambition to ensure that every district can also attract investment, with mechanisms in place to help push district-level development.
Right now, we operate through a single-window service mechanism. Therefore, we are striving to truly decentralize authority down to the provincial level, and looking ahead, we may eventually extend this to the district level. We must strengthen district capacities to foster greater flexibility. As the population grows, public services must increase accordingly. Regarding the expansion of decentralized authority, capacity, and responsibility, we must examine this very clearly – the decentralization of authority must always go hand in hand with the decentralization of responsibility.
Just these past few days, we’ve seen issues like the story about $2,000 utility poles and similar matters. What is the reasoning behind that? The province must investigate why this happened. Some claim the prices were set high for bidding purposes only to be discounted later during the sewer or construction bidding process. I don’t know the exact details, but we must tighten enforcement. True decentralization is not just decentralizing the right to propose; it also means decentralizing budgetary spending and management authority down to lower levels.
(26) Implementing Incentive Policies Is Correct, But Creating a Warm and Welcoming Environment Is Even Better
Putting incentive policies in place is entirely correct, but making investors and visitors feel truly warm, welcome, and supported is even more crucial. Let us look at all these tasks through the lens of building confidence and delivering tangible benefits down to the grassroots and our people. This is the policy we must enforce – maintaining an environment where peace, stability, and security are safeguarded consistently. While offering investment incentives is the right approach, the most vital policy is providing top-tier service and resolving issues for incoming guests so they feel completely welcome and secure. Whenever complexities or problems arise, they must be resolved promptly.
This applies not just to foreign investors or tourists, but equally to our local residents who wish to open businesses, schools, clinics, or launch any enterprise within the province — they too deserve streamlined and constantly improving support. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all levels of civil servants across the provincial, district, and commune administrations who have helped strengthen every sector in the province, and I urge everyone to keep up this momentum. Compared to ten years ago, Stung Treng Province is vastly different today; yet ten years into the future, it must be even more dramatically advanced in a positive direction. Nothing remains static—whether in the economy, security, public order, or other areas, conditions will either stagnate, decline, or rise. We must ensure they continuously rise.
(27) Preventing Cross-Border Crime from Taking Root in the Province
If we look at countries that I have visited […] back when I worked for the World Bank, I went to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the 1920s and 1930s, this country was known as the “Belgium of Africa.” But by the time I visited in the 2000s, it was a country torn apart by war. That is what war does. Regarding security, even some major superpower countries in Europe—I won’t name which ones—ten years ago had no security issues, but today, if you aren’t careful, you might lose your wallet. I once met Malaysia’s current King, who is the Sultan of Johor. (In Malaysia, they rotate the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong because there are several royal rulers.) He mentioned that he used to live in a Western European country that was once the wealthiest place.
Yet, before ascending the throne, when he visited, he had his Rolex watch stolen. Ten years prior, it had been completely safe. This shows that security depends on policy and persistent effort, regardless of whether a country is rich or poor. Therefore, maintaining peace and security is crucial; we can never let our guard down. If Stung Treng Province is not careful and fails to prevent cross-border crimes and other illicit activities, it could easily become a major transit hub for drug crimes and other offenses. We must firmly clamp down and ensure these crimes never find a foothold in our province.
(28) Preventing the Province from Becoming a Hub for the Black Economy: Build a White Economy Instead, Even If Progress is Slower
The Provincial Police Commissioner is quite new, having been transferred specifically because of his expertise in this field — much like the former deputy director of the anti-drug department who was brought in to handle this specialty. The other day, we removed about nine individuals who were implicated, dismissing them outright. We must ensure work is conducted with absolute clarity. We cannot allow this province to become a nest for the black economy; we must build a white economy instead. Even if growth is a bit slower, our house remains clean. Once something becomes corrupted by the black economy, cleaning it up is exceedingly difficult. Several provinces in our country have been tarnished by the press, making it an uphill battle to clear their names and rebuild public trust. We struggle to push tourists and investors to return in order to rehabilitate those areas. Therefore, the best choice is to keep ourselves unstained and avoid getting dragged into the mud.
Among the four northeastern provinces, the province I am addressing is the most heavily interconnected and experiences the highest volume of transit, with illicit goods coming through from Myanmar and other areas, compounded by our waterways. It spans nearly 100 kilometers, making management complex as bad actors can simply cross by boat in a matter of moments. That is the reality of the difficulty we face. However, through close cooperation between the police, the gendarmerie, and—when necessary — the military, we can effectively intervene. Although military personnel are not judicial police officers tasked with direct law enforcement, they can fully support law enforcement officers because this is a matter of national security. Issues like cross-border crime and drug trafficking are matters of national security. Therefore, we must tackle this together as a united front […]
(29) Directing Investors in the Northeastern Region Toward Agriculture, Agroindustry, and Tourism
These efforts are aimed at fully harnessing our potential. While this region is far from the sea, it is close to land borders leading directly to China, a massive market. We cannot establish high-tech or automotive manufacturing here — provinces suited for automotive plants do not have the vast tracts of land required for large-scale agroindustry. We must recognize our own unique advantages. Some provinces are suited for heavy industry, but they lack the stunning natural tourism potential found here. Therefore, we must capitalize on what we actually have rather than focusing on what we lack. Sihanoukville is targeted for industry and logistics, whereas the northeastern provinces are oriented toward agriculture, agro-industry, and tourism to hit our precise targets. For investors in these sectors, we provide special assistance — wherever feasible — such as preferential taxes and low-interest loans to encourage them to establish production facilities and create jobs.
The ultimate goal is our people. Business is a tool; the private sector is an instrument. If the state wants to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of its citizens, it must rely on the private sector to play the leading role in production and employment. Some people suggest, “The state should guarantee jobs for everyone; every high school graduate should automatically become a state employee.” I say that would be the end of us. It simply doesn’t work that way. The state cannot support a bureaucracy of two million officials. Even with our current staffing levels, some barely have a desk to sit at — imagine if we added two million more. If a single province had 50,000 officials, the whole system would completely collapse.
(30) The State’s Three Core Obligations to Every Citizen
Therefore, we need employment across all sectors—informal, formal, private, civil society, as well as self-employment and private business creation—fostered by an enabling environment provided by the state. In my view, the state has three fundamental obligations to each and every citizen:
- Guaranteeing Health – from before birth until the end of life. This means ensuring maternal health from conception—such as our cash subsidy programs for pregnant women, which cover civil servants, impoverished citizens, and female factory workers—extending support until the child reaches two years of age, and progressively providing further healthcare assistance.
- Guaranteeing Knowledge and Skills – establishing schools and bringing educational institutions down to the grassroots level as effectively as possible, including deploying additional teachers.
- Guaranteeing Livelihoods – ensuring citizens possess robust health and education, stability, and the capability to generate employment or establish their own businesses with the freedom to pursue their livelihoods.
Once these are accomplished, the state has fulfilled its primary mission. If individuals face failure, the state must step in with special assistance, integrating them into a well-regulated, highly competitive marketplace. From there, they can continue to create jobs and support one another.
(31) Hoping Cambodia’s Population Reaches 30 Million in 20 Years
We currently have a population of 17 million, and I hope it will increase to 30 million over the next 20 years. Some countries are already experiencing population decline because the death rate exceeds the birth rate, as young people simply do not want to have children. Looking at our birth rates recently, I noticed it has dropped to around 1 point something, and in some urban areas, it might even be falling below 1. When I met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during my visit to China last month, we sat down for a meal, and he mentioned that China’s population decreased by three million this year. In the past, they enforced a one-child policy, but now they allow two children — yet people still do not want them. There are two main reasons for this – firstly, people have grown accustomed to a single-child lifestyle, as they themselves were single children; secondly, many are no longer interested in getting married, preferring busy individual lifestyles, while raising a child entails significant financial and personal investment. Consequently, the population declines, and even though the Chinese government provides financial subsidies per child, it is not enough. Just walking in here earlier, I saw many midwives. I hope the northeastern provinces will have more children! Do not let yourselves fall behind Phnom Penh, Battambang, or Banteay Meanchey. Not long ago, when I visited Phnom Proek district in Battambang Province with a team of volunteer doctors—including ultrasound specialists—there were 250 pregnant women waiting for check-ups alone […]
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(32) Even Without CLV-DTA, with Comparable Potentials, the Region Interconnects to Create Synergistic Power Across All Sectors
Here, we also have the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Tourism. In the past, some tourism communities have also participated in capacity building and economic organization. The other day, I saw an event held here — the “Green Season” — along with the River Festival and various other events. The four provinces take turns hosting these; if outside visitors don’t come, then the people from these four provinces can visit one another. Stung Treng residents don’t have to travel far; they can just go to Mondulkiri or Ratanakiri, rotating back and forth.
More importantly, working with the tourism sector to organize tour packages and other initiatives is vital. Doing it alone gets you only so far, but working together can help tremendously. We are also connecting tourism with Laos and Vietnam.
This region holds immense potential. Even without the CLV-DTA, regional cooperation — especially in areas with comparable potential — can achieve a great deal, drawing from all sources. Let us not be prejudiced. Issues of sovereignty remain fully intact; not an inch of land will be lost. To enter (the country one) must still obtain a visa, so please do not be afraid. We ensure economic potential is harnessed, mutual respect is upheld, and the laws of our respective countries are enforced. Above all, it is about interconnecting to build a synergistic power across every single sector.
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(33) Pairing Provinces Together to Form Joint “Investment Promotion Policies” to Drive Agroindustry
This is similar to how we have registered certain intellectual properties, such as Mondulkiri Coffee’s Geographical Indication (GI). We register products where possible, especially unique local ones, registering their geographical indications to protect their origin. While taste partly depends on the land, technology can also be used to graft and adapt varieties to guarantee quality. If we don’t register them promptly — like some of our cashew nut varieties — things could go astray. This is a major benefit for protecting our proprietary source origins. When it comes to agriculture, we cannot produce everything everywhere.
Each province and region must organize production at scale, because we cannot afford to do everything in small, fragmented quantities. I believe that to make agriculture thrive, we must think in terms of agroindustry. If a single province cannot fulfill the scale on its own, then combine two or three provinces together. Sometimes, planting in just one province yields only a few thousand hectares. To make an industry truly operational, it requires around 30,000 hectares. Therefore, provinces should band together, formulate joint policies, and implement what we call an “Investment Promotion Policy” to collectively harness our shared potential […]./.
