Cambodia-Thailand plan special economic zone near Poipet

Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot (L) and Cambodia's Deputy PM Nhiek Bunchhay (R).

By Khmerization
Source: DAP News 

After the re-establishment of the ambassadorial level diplomatic ties early last week,Cambodia and Thailand are poised to strengthen further economic ties by agreeing to establish a special economic zone a long the border near Cambodia's Poipet town in Banteay Meanchey province.

The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting organised by the Union Media of Asean Forum held at Phnom Penh Hotel on 29th August which were attended by Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Nhiek Bunchhay, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and Deputy Commerce Minister and the Thai side was attended by Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot. The Cambodian special economic zone would be established at a 2,500 rai of land (416 hectares) in O'Neang near Poipet and the Thai special economic zone would be established in Ba Pa Rai opposite O'Neang on the Thai side of the border.

The long-awaited special economic zones have been on the drawing board since 4 years ago, but due to border dispute between the two countries the plan has been put on hold. "Wecannot start the project in the past due to border issue. Now we have reconsidered the project and the border issue will be left to border committees (of both countries) to resolve. At the same time, we will get the project going very soon", said Mr. Nhiek Bunchhay.

Mr. Alongkorn Ponlaboot, the Thai Deputy Commerce Minister, also shares the same sentiment, saying that past border issue should be left to the border committees of the two countries to resolve peacefully. "If we are walking on a road full of gravels, we all must pick up all the gravels off the road", he said figuratively.

"At the same time, Thailand will continue to purchase Cambodian produce and goods and other Cambodian products from the border areas", he added. Mr. Alongkorn added that the special economic zone would provide tens of thousands of jobs to Cambodian workers. He estimated that currently, there are about 100,000 Cambodians working illegally in Thailand.

On the other hand , Deputy Prime Minister Nhiek Bunchhay had asked the Thai side to build many factories in the area and employ Cambodians as workers. He also hopes the area would become an major economic and trade zone and a zone of peace. Both sides pledged to improve roads and rail links to facilitate transport and trades between the two countries.

Despite border tensions, trades between Cambodia and Thailand have improved significantly. In the first 7 months of 2010, trades between the two countries increased by 76%, worth a whopping $1,610 million. Thai investments for the same period amounted to $176 million.