Cambodia Inaugurates Upgraded National Road 7, Boosting Economic Connectivity with Chinese Support

On the morning of July 7, 2026, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Hun Manet, presided over the official inauguration ceremony for National Road No. 7, spanning 45.489 kilometers from Skun Roundabout to Kichuna Bridge North End Roundabout in Kampong Cham City, under a concessional loan from the government of the People's Republic of China. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted that National Road No. 7 (Skun-Kampong Cham) incurred a total cost of nearly $118 million, financed through a concessional loan from the Chinese government and a contribution from the Royal Government of Cambodia. According to the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) assessment, the project is expected to yield a high return of approximately 15.27%. This return is attributed to reduced travel and transportation times, as well as its potential to attract tourists and foster the establishment of industries and businesses for the residents living along the road. He further stated that the Royal Government consistently views "roads" as the "lifeline of the economy," prioritizing the development of road, rail, waterway, and air transport systems, in line with the motto "Where there are roads, there is hope." Specifically, this section of National Road No. 7 will connect with national road networks and key geographical areas, including National Roads No. 6, 6A, 70, 71, and 71C, and will extend to the northeastern region, further improving connectivity up to the Cambodia-Laos border. This enhanced connectivity gains significance following the official launch of the "Cross-Border Transport Corridor" between Cambodia and Laos on June 22, 2026, facilitating the export of Cambodian agricultural and agro-industrial products to China via Laos. During the occasion, the Prime Minister also mentioned that the government has established necessary policies and legal documents to manage and implement the transport and logistics system in Cambodia more effectively, fully responding to the practical needs of national development. According to the "Comprehensive Master Plan for Multimodal Transport and Logistics System of Cambodia 2023-2033," the government plans to develop 11 key logistics bases across the country. Concurrently, he urged the strengthening of public-private partnership mechanisms to continue developing key physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, waterways, ports, and airways. Special emphasis was placed on modernizing the existing railway line (Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville) and constructing new lines (Poipet-Siem Reap-Phnom Penh), considering the development of additional expressways, the Funan Techo Canal project connecting the Mekong/Tonle Sap river system with the sea routes, the organization of Techo International Airport, and the creation of a master plan for seaports to transform Cambodia into a regional logistics hub. In conclusion, the Prime Minister advised on preparing a unified policy and standards for the weight of transport vehicles to facilitate the transport of agricultural products, while ensuring road quality and preventing damage. He clarified that laws are not intended to oppress the people but to maintain a win-win balance. The new law has increased the cargo limit from 40 tons to 50 tons to ease transportation. Simultaneously, he instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to enhance the efficiency and transparency of weigh stations to strictly enforce the law against overloaded vehicles, aiming to ensure fair competition. Finally, the Prime Minister appealed to all citizens and travelers to respect traffic laws and jointly preserve national assets by driving at designated speeds with caution and avoiding overloading, to ensure the longevity of these collective achievements for the benefit of the people and the local economy.