FTC progress construction

FTC progress construction 

Cambodia plans to start construction on the $1.7 billion Chinese-funded Funan Techo Canal this year and complete construction by 2028. The project proposes to dig a 180 kilometer canal connecting Phnom Penh to Kep province, affecting waterways in Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep provinces...

Currently, the only available document regarding plans for the project is that August document from the Cambodia National Mekong Committee notifying the Mekong River Commission (MRC) of the project. It claims there will be “no significant impact on the Mekong River system’s daily flow and annual flow volumes” and minimal social and environmental effects.

“But there is no discussion of the actual environmental impacts to the Mekong River and the transboundary floodplain within the document,” said Brian Eyler, a director at the Stimson Center. “The document also lacks a cost and benefit analysis and a discussion of how the economic benefits will flow to Cambodians.”...

Timeline

Cambodia: Govt. announce that Funan Techo canal construction to start in August; potential affected residents lack information about compensations30 May 2024 : Cambodia: Govt. announce that Funan Techo canal construction to start in August; potential affected residents lack information about compensations

30 May 2024 : Cambodia: Govt. announce that Funan Techo canal construction to start in August; potential affected residents lack information about compensations : 

• "Funan Techo Canal Construction Begins in August, Canal Residents Clueless on Compensation", 30 May 2024
• Prime Minister Hun Manet made it clear … that the Funan Techo Canal is scheduled for construction in August 2024. Residents living along the canal project have yet to be informed about compensation packages.
• …, Hun Manet said the canal construction should not be delayed anymore…
• “We will start construction in August,” he said. “This project is nationalistic and most Cambodians will participate in the construction, thus it’s very encouraging.”
• He added that Cambodia has been in talks with Chinese investment companies regarding the technical aspects and for the companies to invest some money to build the canal, but most of the investment will come from Cambodia.
• There were concerns raised by the Vietnamese regarding the impact of biodiversity as well as news reports that the project will serve the Chinese military but Hun Manet said it would not cater to Vietnamese or Chinese interests…
• The $1.7 billion, which will be funded by China, stretches 180 kilometers from Phnom Penh to Kep province. It will run through Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep provinces…
• Sophan May, who lives along Prek Takeo, the first section of the canal, in Kien Svay district, Kandal province told … that she heard about the project from the news but no authorities have come to inform them.
• She wanted more details on the project, such as how it will affect her land and house…
• Another resident, Heang Nang Eng, living along Prek Ta Hing stream, the second section of canal, echoed similar views, noting that the authorities have not shared any information as yet…

06 May 2024 : Cambodia: Govt. commit to pay fair compensations to affected communities in Funan Techo Canal construction :

• "Committed to fairness: Govt working out compensation to those affected by Funan Techo Canal project", 6 May 2024
• A senior government official in charge of investment in Cambodia said … that while the impacts of the Funan Techo Canal construction on local residents are inevitable, the government is planning fair compensation and resettlement …
• …, Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) urged people not to seek personal profit by purchasing land in the area with the intention of selling it to the government once construction begins.
• The 180-kilometre canal has received overwhelming backing from the Cambodian people and organisations, …, despite objections from Vietnam and several outside parties due to their concerns over the canal’s impacts on the Mekong Delta.
• … Chanthol added that people will be “paid fairly” for their land, but at the same time, he called on people not to turn this into an opportunity by rushing to buy real estate in the area.
• … In the meantime, San Chey, Executive Director at The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA) Cambodia, called on authorities to learn from the challenges encountered regarding compensation during the construction of the motorway and apply that knowledge in establishing fair compensation for the people affected by the canal project.
• “Cambodia will have a magnificent, historic structure, but its value should be matched by the compensation for its impacts,” he said. “The project should not inflict loss on the people.”
• … Upon completion, the canal is expected to boost agriculture, create jobs, and reduce the cost of transporting containers from Phnom Penh to the sea…

30 Apr 2024 : Cambodia: Following international controversies over Funan Techo Canal project, govt. gain local support for canal construction :

• "Mass Public Support Received For Funan Techo Canal, Thwarting International Criticism, Research Report", 30 April 2024
• The Funan Techo canal has received overwhelming response from Cambodians following Senate president Hun Sen’s call to locals to show their support after a string of criticism and negative news on the project…
• … At the Cambodian Oknha Association gala dinner …, Hun Sen said he needed to respond to the criticism on behalf of Cambodia and how the project would benefit the country. He called for support from Cambodians to make the Funan Techo canal a national monument.
• Citizens, workers, government units and students joined the movement to support the project, speaking out via videos and petitions, and posting it on social media…
• Separately, several riverine communities, who will be affected by the canal project, have said they support the project but hope that will be properly compensated.
• ... It would be remarkable if Cambodia developed the project with transparency and accountability, and was funded by local tycoons, he added, however Vietnam might be worried as the canal was a build-operate-transfer (BOT) project with a Chinese company.
• … Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told … that they support the demand for socio-economic development of Mekong river riparian countries.
• It also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation for effective and sustainable management and use of the Mekong River water resources because it is critical for the sustainable development of the basin and the interests of communities in the basin, the future of the next generation, and solidarity among riparian nations.
• … Following the notification, the MRC secretariat transmitted it to the other member countries as per their procedure, it said …

29 Apr 2024 : Cambodia: Former PM Hun Sen dismisses Vietnam's concerns over environmental and geopolitical impact of Chinese-built Funan Techo Canal :

• "Cambodia will not negotiate over Funan Techo canal: Hun Sen" 29 April 2024
• Cambodia’s leader Hun Sen has said that his country would not negotiate with Vietnam over the planned Funan Techo canal, despite concerns about its environmental and geopolitical impacts.
• A group of Vietnamese experts suggested last week that Hanoi should ask Phnom Penh to delay the project for further discussions.
• The Funan Techo canal...will connect the Cambodian coastal province of Kep on the Gulf of Thailand with the inland provinces of Kandal and Takeo, and the capital Phnom Penh via a tributary of the Mekong River...It will be developed by a Chinese company at a cost of US$1.7 billion...
• But the project has raised concerns in Vietnam where the rice-growing Mekong delta is vulnerable to sea water incursions if the Mekong’s flow is reduced. A series of dams on the river in China to the north has already raised fears about flows downstream...
• While calling for Vietnam’s understanding, Hun Sen said Cambodia’s eastern neighbor also “built a lot of dams to protect their crops and these have an impact on Cambodia.”...

Cambodia's PM Hun Sen dismissed Vietnam's concerns over the Chinese-developed Funan Techo canal's environmental and geopolitical impacts, refusing to negotiate or delay the project despite its potential effects on the Mekong delta and downstream flows.

24 Apr 2024 : Vietnam: Mekong Delta farmers will face worsening water shortages & crop failures due to Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal, experts warn :

• "Cambodia's Funan Techo canal could upset Mekong Delta ecosystem: experts" 24 April 2024
• Construction of the Funan Techo Canal from the Mekong River to the Gulf of Thailand will cause water shortages and increase salinization in Vietnam's already parched Mekong Delta, experts said.
• The delta is already suffering legions of dead crops and families without water due to droughts, hot weather, severe erosion of useable farmland, drying out of seafood resources... It is Vietnam's most important agricultural region, on par with similar growing and cultivation areas in its neighboring countries...
• Le Anh Tuan, a Senior Lecturer at the College of Environment and Natural Resources...said the formation of the Funan Techo Canal will definitely have a negative impact on the region..."When the Funan Techo Canal is operational, the Mekong Delta in Vietnam will experience an increase in the shortage of fresh water for daily life, agriculture, production, aside from deeper and more frequent saltwater intrusion, and the ecosystems will be disrupted," Tuan said...
• The shortage of fresh water in the Mekong Delta will affect dozens of climate change adaptation projects and poverty alleviation projects that have been and are being implemented...
• The information about the project that Cambodia provided to the MRC in the announcement on Aug. 8 last year is still very limited, and did not enough to fully assess the increasing impact on water, sediment, erosion, and salt intrusion...

Experts warn that Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal project is worsening freshwater shortages and crop failures in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. This project exacerbates the region's existing challenges of drought, erosion, and saltwater intrusion and threatens vital agriculture, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

Source

Funan Techo Canal Construction Begins in August, Canal Residents Clueless on Compensation

30 May 2024

Prime Minister Hun Manet made it clear on Thursday morning that the Funan Techo Canal is scheduled for construction in August 2024. Residents living along the canal project have yet to be informed about compensation packages.

Speaking at the Buddhist Cultural Centre of Cambodia in Preah Suramarit-Kossamak Kirirom National Park in Phnom Sruoch district, Kampong Speu province, Hun Manet said the canal construction should not be delayed anymore.

The project comes from the “spirit of nationalism” and a majority of Cambodian investment will be in the construction. 

“We will start construction in August,” he said. “This project is nationalistic and most Cambodians will participate in the construction, thus it’s very encouraging.” 

He added that Cambodia has been in talks with Chinese investment companies regarding the technical aspects and for the companies to invest some money to build the canal, but most of the investment will come from Cambodia. 

There were concerns raised by the Vietnamese regarding the impact of biodiversity as well as news reports that the project will serve the Chinese military but Hun Manet said it would not cater to Vietnamese or Chinese interests. Rather, the canal will be dug in Khmer territory for Khmer people. 

The $1.7 billion, which will be funded by China, stretches 180 kilometers from Phnom Penh to Kep province. It will run through Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep provinces. 

With less than three months before construction starts, those along the canal project said they have yet to receive any information. 

Sophan May, who lives along Prek Takeo, the first section of the canal, in Kien Svay district, Kandal province told CamboJA News that she heard about the project from the news but no authorities have come to inform them. 

She wanted more details on the project, such as how it will affect her land and house.

“[I] want them [authorities] to come down quickly so that we can know [more] and find somewhere else to live,” Sophan said. “If they come late, it will be difficult for us to leave immediately.” 

Another resident, Heang Nang Eng, living along Prek Ta Hing stream, the second section of canal, echoed similar views, noting that the authorities have not shared any information as yet. 

Samraong Thom commune chief at Kien Svay district Chey Sam Oun said he already received some general information about the canal, but plans for further action have not yet reached the local authorities.

“People want to know, but we are also waiting because my side [the authorities] need to receive information first,” he said. 

He did not have any data on the number of people living along the Prek Takeo canal, such as those who live on state land, in reference to those by the river bank, and also others who lived on their own land. 

Residents near the Prek Ta Ek steam located in Sa’ang district, Kandal province might be
affected by the Funan Techo Canal project, February 29, 2024. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

Government spokesperson Pen Bona declined to comment, referring the reporter to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MoPWT) instead.

Spokesperson of MoPWT Phan Rim said in relation to the impact on the people, it will be done through the government mechanism, with an inter-ministerial working group led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the participation of the local authorities. He did not respond to the question as to why there was no official notification to the citizens of the canal project. 

First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia Sun Chanthol did not respond. 

Political analyst Meas Nee said if people in the area have not been informed by the authorities, it means the impact study has not been conducted. 

“If they authorities conduct the impact study, they have to come down and ask people, and if people say they have not seen the authorities, it means that the digging of the canal is just a political message. But for the detailed impact study, I would say there was none conducted yet,” he said.  

He added that the problem with delayed information regarding big investments and their effect on people always happened. People are not informed in advance until the construction starts. Then they are forced to accept the different conditions of compensation. 

“I do not want to see this happen with the Funan Techo canal. The project has great history, but if the people are seriously affected, it is not fair,” he said, adding that he supported the canal development. However, “the government needs to spend time not just counting the number of affected families and giving them money, but also thinking about where people should live.”

Source

PM urges against land purchases surrounding the Funan Techo Canal for state compensation

June 7, 2024

Prime Minister Hun Manet urged against buying land around the Funan Techo canal project solely to seek compensation from the state later.

He made this statement on Thursday, June 6, during an inauguration of the official use of the Kampot multi-purpose port in Kampot province.

“If we are truly patriotic, desiring Cambodia’s independence in transportation, economic development in the southwest, and the overall benefit of our nation from this historic canal, we must work together,” the premier added.

Dr. Hun Manet underscored, “I would like to call in advance for unity, especially among those living along the delta.”

On the occasion, Premier Hun Manet reaffirmed that the Funan Techo canal project is no longer 100 percent financed by foreign companies but is now primarily owned by Cambodian companies, with a stake of 51 percent or more. He added that the canal project aims to benefit the nation and the Cambodian people from now into the future, rather than serving foreign interests. Fresh News

Source

An excavator prepares the area in Prek Takeo for the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate
the start of construction on August 5 for the Funan Techo Canal. KT/Pann Rachana

Funan Techo Canal groundbreaking prep underway

July 19, 2024

Phnom Penh will host a grand celebration to mark the groundbreaking for the Funan Techo Canal construction project on August 5, and preparations for the event are well underway.

To commemorate the start of this mega project, a concert and fireworks show will be held at an event on Koh Pich the same day.

During a meeting yesterday with representatives from all 14 district authorities and the Phnom Penh Municipal Unity Command, Khuong Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh, confirmed the details.

Sreng announced that the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration’s districts will commemorate the historic event in a spirit of ‘unity’. He added that all religious temples throughout Phnom Penh will participate in the festivities.

According to a directive issued by Phnom Penh City Hall on Wednesday, “All the institutions and people throughout the country are encouraged to beat gongs and drums on August 5, 2024, at 9:09 am to commemorate the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Funan Techo Canal.”

Phnom Penh authorities also urged the public to participate in the celebration of this historic event, especially on social media platforms, to spread the news of this momentous occasion.

Venerable Sean Mab, Chief of Monks at the Preah Sophornboribonaream Pagoda, told Khmer Times yesterday that for pagodas, churches, and people to contribute to celebrating the event is very important.

Ven. Mab noted that this initiative is of national pride for Cambodia, not for the benefit of any individuals.

According to the feasibility study, the $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project is 180 kilometres long, 100 metres wide upstream, and 80 metres downstream, with two navigation lanes.

Construction would take around four years to complete.

The Canal will link Prek Takeo, just south of the capital, on the Mekong River to the sea in Kep province, crossing Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep provinces. A total of 1.6 million people will live on either side of the waterway.

Critics claim the project will have little impact, while economic analysis and evaluation show that it will provide immense benefits in the areas of trade, tourism, urban planning and construction.

Source

It seems that Cambodia has already started building the canal :

Officials inspect Funan Techo canal site.

On the afternoon of Monday, July 1, Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, along with the Ministers of Public Works and Transport, Water Resources and Meteorology, Health, the Kandal Provincial Governor, and a team of experts from relevant ministries and institutions, conducted an inspection of the Funan Techo Canal Project site in Prek Takeo village, Samraong Thom commune, Kien Svay district, Kandal province.

The Funan Techo Canal Project represents a significant milestone in Cambodia’s inland waterway infrastructure, establishing a direct link from Cambodian rivers to the sea. This initiative promises numerous benefits, including reduced travel time, distance, and operational costs for ships both inbound and outbound.

It aims to expedite national economic development, and integrate water transport through expanded multimodal connections. Furthermore, the project is expected to mitigate road damage, alleviate traffic congestion and accidents, minimize flooding, and deliver a range of socio-economic advantages.

The groundbreaking of the Funan Techo Canal Project is scheduled for August 5, to be presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The event will be celebrated nationwide with fireworks and drums, demonstrating widespread support for this endeavor.

Source

Some pictures of the current status of the canal construction has done :

Source

Kandal province will organise major event to celebrate commencement of Funan Techo Canal

July 22, 2024

Kouch Chamroeun, governor of Kandal province, said that the Kandal provincial administration will organise a Khmer boxing match with many famous singers in Takhmao city to celebrate the historic groundbreaking day of the Funan Techo Canal construction project on August 5.

During a visit to the Funan Techo Canal site in Kien Svay district on Sunday, the governor stated that the commencement of this historic canal is a long-term initiative of Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and President of the Senate, and has been implemented by the Royal Government of the 7th legislature of the National Assembly to leave a historical legacy for future generations for thousands of years to come.

Chamroeun said that the 180-kilometre Funan Techo Canal project will provide great benefits to Cambodia’s socio-economy, such as expanding connectivity, a multi-modal transportation system, reducing travel distance and time, and lowering competitive transportation costs directly to the sea. Additionally, it will improve irrigation and flood relief systems, boost agricultural productivity in the southwest, benefit fisheries and aquaculture, and promote tourism and investment. The canal project is also expected to facilitate the development of special economic zones, industrial zones, and export processing areas.

Governor Chamroeun also appealed to residents affected by the canal project to cooperate and allow the excavation team to work behind their homes. He emphasised the importance of the project for the nation and future generations.

Source

Close-up of TFC before groundbreaking on August 5

Actually, Cambodia started building the canal for days ago...

Source

Click here to view : Cambodia Prepares for FTC Groundbreaking Ceremony

Cambodia breaks ground on China-funded canal and says it will be built 'no matter the cost'

5 August 2024

PREK TAKEO, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia broke ground Monday on a controversial, China-funded canal to link the capital Phnom Penh to the sea, despite environmental concerns and the risk of straining ties with neighboring Vietnam.

The $1.7 billion, 180-kilometer Funan Techo canal is planned to connect the country´s capital with Kep province on Cambodia´s south coast, giving it access to the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia hopes the 100-meter-wide, 5.4-meter-deep canal will lower the cost of shipping goods to the country's sole deep-sea port, Sihanoukville, and reduce reliance on Vietnamese ports.

The project highlights the outsized role that China plays in Cambodian politics and economy. Meanwhile, concerns remain about the potential environmental impacts of the canal, especially on the flow of the Mekong River, which feeds millions of people across six countries through its fish and the agriculture that it sustains.

The project has Vietnam worried, both about the effect on its Mekong Delta rice-growing and about Cambodia moving out of its orbit, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore´s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

"There is a concern that most of the Cambodian exports might be diverted from the current route, crossing the Vietnamese border to Vietnamese ports and moving away from that to Cambodian ports," he said.

But Hanoi has expressed its concerns quietly, if at all, Giang said. Given the "complex historical legacy" between Cambodia and Vietnam - despite strong bilateral ties, the two nations have a contentious relationship - Vietnam is reticent to openly criticize Cambodia lest it be seen as impinging on its neighbor's sovereignty, he said.

Analysts say that the infrastructure project is in part an effort by Cambodia´s ruling elite to invigorate support for Hun Manet, who last year took over the wheel of government from his father, Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for 38 years.

The government declared Monday - also Hun Sen´s birthday - a holiday so Cambodians could participate in the "celebration in a joyful, crowded and proud manner." Thousands of people wearing t-shirts with photographs of the father and son began gathering at the canal site, that was covered in Cambodian flags. Billboards promoting the economic benefits of the canal dominated the countryside.

The canal will promote "national prestige, the territorial integrity and the development of Cambodia," Manet said, adding that the country had built bigger and more expensive infrastructure projects before. But this "historic" canal was different and had nationwide support, he said.

"We will build this canal, no matter the cost," he said.

He emphasized that while the canal would be jointly built by Chinese and Cambodian companies, the latter would have a 51% majority share and thus maintain control. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol confirmed that the Chinese state-owned construction giant China Road and Bridge Corporation had landed the contract to build the canal.

The U.S.-based nonprofit Stimson Center has warned that the canal would cause "significant transboundary impacts to water availability and agricultural production in Vietnam´s Mekong Delta." The region is where 90% of rice exported from Vietnam is grown.

The Cambodian government has dismissed these concerns.

Earlier in April, Vietnam had asked Cambodia to share information about the canal. "We have asked Cambodia to collaborate closely with Vietnam and the Mekong River Commission in sharing information and assessing the project´s impacts on water resources and ecosystem in the Mekong Delta region."

Cambodia is a key Chinese diplomatic partner, helping dampen criticism of Beijing within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, several of whose members, including Vietnam, are engaged in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.

China's outsized presence can be seen in the numerous Chinese-funded projects, hotels and casinos dotting the Cambodian landscape. China´s state banks have financed airports, roads and other infrastructure built with Chinese loans. Nearly 40% of Cambodia´s over $11 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

In June 2022, China and Cambodia broke ground on a naval port expansion project that has raised concerns from the U.S. and others that it could give Beijing a strategically important military outpost on the Gulf of Thailand. Hun Sen in 2019 reportedly granted China the right to set up a military base at the Ream Naval Base. He has long denied that, saying Cambodia´s Constitution prohibits foreign military facilities.

Source

Senate President Hun Sen (right) with Kihara Minoru, Minister of Defence of Japan at the
Senate in Phnom Penh, on Monday. Cambodia sought investment and cooperation from 
Japanese investors and companies in the Funan Techo Canal project. KT/Khem Sovannara

Hun Sen seeks Japanese investments in Funan Techo Canal project

Senate President Hun Sen Monday sought investment and cooperation from Japanese investors and companies in the Funan Techo Canal project.

During a working meeting with Kihara Minoru, Minister of Defence of Japan at the Senate, Mr Hun Sen apprised the visiting delegation about the Funan Techo Canal. He said Minoru’s visit coincides with a time when Cambodians across the country were celebrating the groundbreaking ceremony for the 180 kilometres Funan Techo Canal, a historic project.

In a news statement posted on his social media, Mr Hun Sen said Cambodia has to be self-reliant and cannot sit and wait for help from others.

“Samdech Techo welcomed the investment and cooperation from all Japanese investors and companies for the construction of the Funan Techo Canal project, which is a joint venture with no monopoly,” said the news statement.

The Funan Techo Canal will be Cambodia’s main waterway for transporting goods by river from all parts of the country to the sea, boosting Cambodia’s economic growth. The Funan Techo Canal will contribute to strengthening the role of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, which is being expanded with Japanese financial assistance.

The Japanese Minister of Defence thanked Cambodia for welcoming the Japanese private sector to invest in the Funan Techo Canal project. Japan will assist Cambodia in water transport and logistics, as Japan has a lot of experience in shipping goods by sea.

Japan will not only consider co-investing in the Funan Techo Canal project but will also assist Cambodia in the field of waterway transport and logistics, Minoru said.

Dr Chey Tech, a socio-economic researcher, told Khmer Times on Tuesday that it’s good news for Cambodia if Japanese investors are interested in the FTC project, especially investment in ports, container management, technology and design of water transport systems, because [we] know that Japan is an island nation and a major export country in the world, much as China.

“Japan has capabilities, experience and techniques related to the waterway transport. Therefore, Japanese investment and technical assistance systems related to this transport are very important for our country,” Dr Tech underlined.

At the graduation ceremony of the University of Puthisastra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the construction of the Funan Techo Canal is a testament to our efforts to strengthen national defence. “We think that the construction of this canal is just an infrastructure project, but because of the common spirit, it is clear that this canal is not an ordinary infrastructure project but a symbol of the Khmer unity,” he said.

Source

Construction progress update

August 26, 2024

August 31, 2024

Sep 4, 2024

Speedier resolution : Govt accelerates compensation process for FTC project

A photo, taken during a trip by Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President 

of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Sun Chanthol, shows an aerial 

view of a section of the Funan Techo Canal pathway in Kandal province. MPWT

In a bid to speed up the Funan Techo Canal project compensation process, the government has strengthened the composition of the Impact Solution Committee.

This move aims to ensure the smooth implementation of the $1.7 billion megaproject, which seeks to create a crucial waterway linking the Mekong River to the sea. The committee adjustment process comes nearly a month after the project’s inauguration.

Prime Minister Hun Manet chaired a meeting yesterday at the Peace Palace to review the progress of the Ad hoc Committee overseeing the design and implementation of the Funan Techo Canal project. The meeting focused on the need to address the concerns of those impacted by the construction.

Vei Samnang, the newly appointed Governor of Takeo province, who attended the meeting, said that the committee’s composition was revised to speed up the resolution of compensation issues.

Samnang and Kuoch Chamroeun, the new governor of Kandal province, have been added to the committee, which now includes representatives from two of the four provinces through which the canal will pass.

Additionally, Information Minister Neth Pheaktra and Pen Bona, head of the Government’s Spokesperson Unit, have also been appointed to the committee. The new members are expected to

play key roles in addressing the challenges faced by residents in the affected areas.

“We have established a committee to assess and discuss solutions for mitigating the impact, such as rerouting waterways to minimise disruption to communities, especially in Takeo province, an area of archaeological significance,” said Samnang.

He confirmed that the project, which began on August 5, is progressing without any significant obstacles.

Despite the government’s efforts, concerns about the compensation process remain. The canal, which will span 180 kilometres, has yet to see construction machinery deployed in Takeo province.

Samnang explained that the project’s scale necessitates a phased approach, with construction equipment being distributed across different zones.

Heang Nam Eng, a resident of Prek Ta Hing in Kandal province, expressed uncertainty about the compensation process. “I haven’t been notified by the government about any compensation yet,” she said. “I hope the government provides adequate compensation so we can relocate without hardship.”

San Chey, director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability – Cambodia, emphasised the importance of communication between the government and affected residents.

“The national body responsible for managing the impact should focus on engaging in dialogue with those affected rather than just making statements,” he said. “The government must offer fair and acceptable compensation to ensure that those impacted by this historic project do not suffer.”

Chey also called for more technical-level discussions to address the concerns of the affected communities, urging the government not to overlook their worries.

Inaugurated by Mr Hun Manet on August 5, 2024, in Prek Takeo village, Kandal province, the project is set to establish a vital waterway linking the Mekong River to the sea.

Despite the project’s promising start, concerns have surfaced over the compensation process for those whose land will be affected by the construction.

During a visit on Monday to inspect the navigational route of the FTC in Takeo province, Kandal province, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Sun Chanthol, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to adhering to the project’s timeline, stressing that no major obstacles have been encountered so far.

Chanthol urged the affected communities to remain patient, clarifying that the government has not yet acquired any land.

He also advised residents to disregard rumours or misinformation regarding land confiscation without proper compensation.

“People, please do not worry; do not listen to the rumours; do not listen to the incitement that the government confiscated land without providing proper compensation in accordance with the law,” he said. “Although we have launched the construction, the relevant institutions still need to deal with those who are affected cautiously.”

He also urged the public not to be deceived by scammers demanding payment in exchange for job opportunities at the FTC construction site.

Despite the government’s reassurances, compensation for affected landowners remains a contentious issue.

A preliminary report indicates that the canal’s construction will impact nearly 10,000 homes, three factories, 30 bridges, 36 national roads, 600 dams and canals, and over 7,000 ha of farmland.

Source

Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the Council for the
Development of Cambodia (5th R) holding discussions with the National Development
and Reform Commission (NDRC) delegation in China, on Monday. CDC

China’s powerful NDRC steps in to speed up the Funan Techo Canal work

Sep 12, 2024

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is committed to encouraging the Chinese companies investing in the construction of the Funan Techo Canal (FTC) to accelerate its implementation, keeping the deadline set by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).

The FTC project came up for discussion during the meeting between Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of NDRC in China on September 9.

Wu Hao, Secretary General of NDRC, Soeung Rathchavy, Ambassador of Cambodia to China, Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works & Transport (MPWT) and Kong Vimean, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of CDC, were present on the occasion.

The meeting was organised to discuss the progress of major projects with Chinese investments across the Kingdom and ensure their timely completion.

According to CDC, the NDRC will encourage the Chinese companies to adhere to the targets for the FTC project or finish it even earlier than the deadline of 2028 given by RGC.

The Cambodian delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister also held a meeting with Li Xiaopeng, Minister of Transport of China, on the same day to discuss the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the field of transport and logistics between the two countries.

During the discussions, Chanthol briefed the Chinese minister about the progress of infrastructure developments in Cambodia and the favourable factors for collaboration.

They also discussed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the One China policy which RGC supported.

Li promised to continue providing technical assistance to enhance Cambodian human resources and encourage Chinese businesspeople to expand their investments in Cambodia, especially in shipping, port development and multi-modal transport.

The Chinese minister expressed the hope that both nations will continue the close cooperation in developing the Cambodian-Chinese transport sector.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Lor Vichet, Vice-President of Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association said the role of NDRC is crucial for the timely completion of the FTC project.

“NDRC is the main macroeconomic control arm of the Chinese government and the third most powerful organ in the State Council of PRC for addressing issues related to economic policymaking as well as outbound foreign investment,” Vichet said.

According to him, NDRC has broad administrative and planning control over the economy of mainland China which allows it to take charge of the business and trade activities with partner countries.

Running 180 kilometres, FTC will connect Prek Takeo, a tributary of the Mekong River located in Kean Svay district in Kandal province to the coastal province of Kep passing through Takeo and Kampot provinces and significantly enhancing Cambodia’s connectivity and accessibility to international markets.

The project is undertaken by the Funan Techo Inland Waterways and Logistics Co Ltd at a cost of $1.7 billion. The construction is divided into two sections.

The first section, spanning over 21 km from Prek Takeo to Bassac River, is a joint venture between two Cambodian ports - public-listed Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP) and public-listed Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC), a local conglomerate.

The state-run ports hold 51 percent of the first project’s shares and the other 49 percent of the shares go to OCIC.

The second section, stretching over 159 km connecting between Bassac River and Kep province, will be jointly invested by the two ports and China Road and Bridge Cooperation (CRBC).

It may be noted that on September 8, Chanthol also visited the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center after participating in the 24th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (24th CIFIT) held in Fujian province.

The visit was accompanied by Hun Lak, Secretary General of the Cambodian Oknha Association (COA), Suon Sophal, Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) of CDC and Kuon Thida, President of Orienda International Hospital.

Source