Samal sets priorities to transform S’ville into national economic corridor

Samal sets priorities to transform S’ville into national economic corridor

The Deputy Prime Minister asks local authorities to develop the key coastal province into a robust economic corridor to boost the national economy.

Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) Saturday set five priority actions for the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration, aiming to transform Sihanoukville into a robust economic corridor.

The instructions were delivered during the conference themed ‘Summarise 2025 Achievements and Set Directions for 2026 of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration’ attended by Mang Sineth, Governor of Sihanoukville Province.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Samal called on all levels of working groups and local authorities to develop this key coastal province into a potential economic corridor to boost the national economy, highlighting five measures to achieve this goal.

First, he called for strengthened security, public order, and discipline by eliminating online scams, resolving land disputes, addressing irregular construction and urban planning issues, and preventing the spread of misinformation.

Second, he urged the formulation of a comprehensive master plan for Sihanoukville through integrated urban planning, land management and urbanisation, coastal improvement, tourism port development, infrastructure expansion, and the extension of electricity and clean water to all households and villages.

Third, Samal stressed the need to continue prioritising human resource development through training programmes aligned with local potential, skills demand, and labour market needs to improve workforce quality and ensure long-term economic competitiveness.

Fourth, he emphasised enhancing the entrepreneurial mindset and creativity in job creation to support grassroots economic development, encourage innovation, and expand sustainable income opportunities at the community level.

Fifth, he highlighted the importance of attracting investment from both domestic and foreign development partners, while strengthening mechanisms to protect, support, and maintain existing investments to ensure stability, confidence, and long-term economic growth.

The Deputy Prime Minister further instructed local authorities to implement the plan with unity and a shared vision for Sihanoukville, while commending the police and gendarmerie for their active role in cracking down on online gambling offences.

Samal also stressed that Sihanoukville must ensure the safety of all visitors, a responsibility clearly shared with the police and gendarmerie. “I have also participated in maintaining security through land dispute resolution and land registration,” he added.

He appreciated the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration, the working group, civil servants, competent forces at all levels, and all citizens who have actively contributed to upholding the banner of solidarity and internal unity to promote the province.

He noted that their efforts have driven the innovative development of Sihanoukville, in line with local realities and the Pentagonal Strategy Phase-One, focusing on people, roads, water, electricity and technology, despite the nation facing invasion and global crises.

During his remarks, Sineth said that the provincial administration received a total of 468 complaints and requests in 2025. Of these, 37 cases were resolved, 87 were sent to relevant authorities, 122 requests were responded to, and 14 cases were reported to relevant ministries and institutions.

The Governor added that 94 cases were documented, 74 other requests were submitted, and 40 cases remain under investigation and in resolution, highlighting the provincial administration’s ongoing efforts to address public concerns effectively.

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