Cambodia Advances Master Plan for Chrey Thom International Border Checkpoint

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia convened its first internal committee meeting on August 31st to discuss the master plan for the Chrey Thom International Border Checkpoint. This checkpoint is situated in Kampot Province, bordering Vietnam. Dr. Han Sahip, Secretary of State and Chairman of the Project Implementation Committee, emphasized that the development of this master plan is a crucial element for the implementation of the Chrey Thom International Border Checkpoint's office building and infrastructure construction project. The planning process drew inspiration from the designs and styles of existing international border checkpoints, including Poipet (Cambodia-Thailand), Stueng Bot (Cambodia-Thailand), Bavet (Cambodia-Vietnam), and Meun Chey (Cambodia-Vietnam). Notably, Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to upgrade the bilateral checkpoint at Chrey Thom (Cambodian side) and Khan Binh (Vietnamese side) to an international checkpoint. This move is strategically vital as it represents the shortest land route connecting the capital Phnom Penh and Techo International Airport to Vietnam. Dr. Sahip instructed the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia to explore the feasibility of constructing an administrative building to serve as the customs and excise inspection office at the Chrey Thom International Border Checkpoint. He also requested the preparation of temporary cargo loading, unloading, and transfer areas, as well as a truck parking lot, in line with the master plan, once funding is secured. As a result of the meeting, the committee members supported and approved the first of four proposed design options. Representatives from various ministries and institutions were tasked with further consulting and approving or amending the joint master plan before submitting it for final decision by the Minister of Economy and Finance. The development of the Chrey Thom Border Checkpoint is expected to facilitate smoother trade and logistics between Cambodia and Vietnam, thereby contributing to the economic development of both nations. Improved accessibility from Phnom Penh, in particular, holds the potential to invigorate the regional economy. Source: AKP Khmer