SSEZ driving local economic growth, creating over 32,000 jobs

SSEZ driving local economic growth, creating over 32,000 jobs

The Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ) has significantly contributed to improving local livelihoods by generating more than 32,000 jobs, making it a vital “engine of local economic development” and a “golden plate” for the people.

Covering an area of 11.13 square kilometres, the SSEZ is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a joint venture between Cambodian and Chinese companies. Last year, businesses operating within the SSEZ recorded a total import and export value of $4.078 billion, representing an increase of $716 million or 21.3 percent compared to 2023.

This milestone marks the highest annual trade volume achieved since the establishment of the coastal SSEZ, highlighting its growing role as a major hub for economic activity and international trade in Cambodia.

Speaking during a joint media interview with People’s Daily and Cambodian journalists on Friday, Liu Lianchi, Deputy Managing Director of the SSEZ, emphasised the zone’s importance to both employment and local development.

“We have created over 32,000 jobs inside our zone,” Liu said. “This has greatly improved local workers’ incomes and enhanced their living conditions.”

According to the zone management, over the past 15 to 16 years, local workers in the industrial zone have experienced significant improvements in their incomes and living conditions. Initially, many workers had been unable to afford even a single motorcycle.

However, as more manufacturing factories were established, creating stable employment opportunities, their financial situations gradually improved.

The zone serves as a cross-border investment platform for companies worldwide. Strategically located, it is just 17 kilometres from Sihanoukville, 12 km from the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, 3 km from the international airport, and 4 km from the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway entrance.

“It is also very convenient for transportation, such as import and export. It is very convenient based on this location. We focus on some specific industries, such as auto parts, tyres, new materials, hardware machinery, and building materials,” Liu said.

The SSEZ spans a total planned area of 11.13 square kilometres and is being developed in two phases. The first phase of development is centred on light manufacturing industries such as textiles and garments, luggage and leather goods, and wood products. These industries have been selected as the foundational sectors to drive early economic activity and employment.

In the second phase, the development will shift towards more diverse and higher-value industries, including auto parts and tyres, new materials, hardware and machinery, building materials, and home furnishings. This phased approach aims to gradually upgrade the zone’s industrial capabilities and attract a broader range of investors.

Once fully developed, the SSEZ is expected to become a comprehensive ecological model park with robust infrastructure and support services. It will feature complete supporting facilities to enhance operational efficiency, promote sustainable development, and position the zone as a key driver of Cambodia’s industrial growth and regional economic integration.

According to Liu, the SSEZ symbolises the strong Cambodia-China friendship in Preah Sihanouk province. It is closely associated with the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT), playing a role in nurturing a skilled local workforce.

Established in 2008, the SSEZ is often referred to as the “engine of local economic development” and a “golden opportunity” for the people, Liu added.

The government has set a master plan to transform the province into a key industrial and logistics hub in the ASEAN region by 2030. Driven by rapid development, the SSEZ is expected to play an important role in achieving this ambitious goal.

When asked about the government’s efforts, Liu stated that the entire economy and the number of enterprises are relatively numerous.

“In fact, the total quantity of logistics, the number of containers imported and exported daily, is very large. Therefore, from the beginning, the Sihanoukville port was able to meet the import and export requirements of the entire SSEZ,” he said.

“It can be said that 99% of the goods in our entire SSEZ, almost close to 100%, were exported through this port, Cambodia’s only urban port. With the rapid development of the SSEZ, it has also, indirectly, promoted the rapid construction of the Sihanoukville port,” Liu added.

The development of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port was driven by demand, necessitating improvements and upgrades. Currently, plans are in place to reach a depth of 14.5 metres by the end of 2026. Additionally, there are development plans for the second and third phases, with targeted completion by the end of 2028 and 2029, respectively.

“Therefore, I believe that the rapid development of the SSEZ will help achieve the objectives of Preah Sihanouk province in 2030. We should be able to ship goods and drive the necessary progress,” Liu said.

Currently, 202 enterprises from China, Europe, the United States, ASEAN, and other regions have established operations within the zone. These account for about 70% of all provincial factories, further underscoring the SSEZ’s critical role in driving regional industrialisation.

khmertimeskh