AKP Phnom Penh, April 18, 2025 --

A significant leap forward for Cambodia's ambitious "Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project," commonly known as the Funan Techo Canal Project, was marked by the formal signing of five crucial agreements and contracts.

The signing ceremony took place on April 17, under the joint auspices of Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), H.E. Sun Chanthol, who also chairs the Sub-Committee for the Evaluation and Negotiation of the Public-Private Partnership Agreement for the Funan Techo Canal Project, and Mr. Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

High-ranking officials, including the Minister of Public Works and Transport, permanent members of the Sub-Committee, executives from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and CCCC, and other relevant stakeholders, also attended the landmark event.

The five key agreements and contracts finalised for the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project are: The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement; Shareholders’ Agreement; Investment Agreement; Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract; Operation and Maintenance Contract.

This significant milestone builds upon the high-level consensus previously established between the leaders of Cambodia and China, underscoring the robust cooperation within China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” and the “Diamond Cooperation Framework.” The project is envisioned to further strengthen the development of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future in this new era and is anticipated to make substantial contributions to various sectors vital to the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.

The Funan Techo Canal project is poised to revolutionise Cambodia’s waterway and maritime transport sectors. The planned inland waterway will create a vital link between the Mekong River system and the sea, originating at Prek Takeo on the Mekong River, traversing Prek Ta Ek and Prek Ta Hing in the Bassac River within Koh Thom district, and ultimately reaching the sea in Kep province.

The canal will cut across four provinces: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep. Designed to accommodate vessels with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of up to 3,000, the project encompasses the construction and rehabilitation of riverbanks, dredging operations, the establishment of hydrological stations, embankments, river port infrastructure, and the implementation of other essential navigational support systems.

Upon completion, the canal is expected to significantly improve domestic inland water transport networks, bridge existing logistical gaps, and enhance the safety and efficiency of waterway transportation. The project also integrates crucial water resource management, irrigation, and agricultural components, with the overarching goal of boosting agricultural productivity along its route.

Furthermore, it is projected to accelerate integration across key sectors, including industry, agriculture, logistics, and ports, thereby strengthening Cambodia’s connectivity with regional and global trade partners.

The Funan Techo Canal project was originally conceived by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate. Its implementation is now being spearheaded by the Royal Government of Cambodia under the seventh legislature of the National Assembly, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, with the aim of creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo Canal project took place on Aug. 5, 2024, under the esteemed patronage of Prime Minister Hun Manet, garnering strong support from the Cambodian people nationwide. Construction is on track for completion by 2028.

By K. Rithy Reak