Is Koh Rong in Sihanoukville set for an “upgrade”? US$39 million in investment targets world-class island tourism.
Koh Rong may see bigger changes. A Preah Sihanouk investment-promotion working group recently met to review 15 investment and business projects worth more than US$39 million in total. One main goal is to develop Koh Rong as a world-class tourist destination. Authorities expect the projects to create about 1,000 jobs.
The projects reportedly include tourism resorts, night markets, mixed commercial developments and manufacturing factories, spanning tourism, commerce and industry. Future development on Koh Rong is to focus on ecotourism, high-end hotels and wellness tourism, seeking more international visitors, especially from Europe and the United States.
To support development, local authorities are advancing infrastructure including road upgrades, a planned airport and an undersea electricity-transmission system. Officials say they will also improve investment approvals and introduce incentives to attract more businesses to Sihanoukville and stimulate the local economy and employment.
