Border Market in Kampot province to break ground

Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak has urged local authorities to help the firm building the Prek Chak border market to keep to its construction schedule. Xinhua

The border market set for construction in Kampot province is close to breaking ground with preparation at the market’s site underway.

Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce and Chev Tay, governor of Kampot have made a joint visit to the location in Thgov village, Russei Srok Khang Koeut commune, Kampong Trach district, Kampot province to assess progress.

Named after the Prek Chak border gate, the market will be built over two hectares of land. Its construction cost is $2 million which is being funded by the government. The market’s construction is set to be completed by early 2022.

“Once operational, the market will enhance the living of local residents and the trade exchange of goods between Cambodia and Vietnam,” said the minister.

The first Cambodia-Vietnam border market, named Da market, was launched in December 2019 following two years of construction.

Speaking at the inauguration of the first border market, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Ministry of Commerce to work with Svay Rieng and Kampot officials to build two additional border markets in a bid to shore up border trade and enhance cooperation with Cambodia’s neighbour Vietnam. Those two additional markets are the Prek Chak market and another designated for a location in Tboung Khmum province

Sorasak also encouraged local authorities to aid the construction firm’s ability to finish construction on schedule.

Opening borders with neighbouring countries has become a priority for Cambodia’s government, which is keen to increase trade in the wake of the devastating Coronavirus pandemic.

Detailed inspections have caused massive congestion which ministers are keen to overcome to mitigate the loss in imports and exports.

Crossings at border towns with Thailand are also being improved.

Cambodia’s exports to Vietnam decreased by 7.5 percent in the first seven months of 2020 while imports slipped down 3.7 %, according to recent data. Khmer Times