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Cambodia has reassured Vietnam that the $1.7 billion “Funan Techo Canal” challenge won’t have an effect on the Mekong River water system and transboundary environmental influence, saying this large plan will convey large advantages to the financial system and commerce.
The peace of mind was given by Prime Minister Hun Manet who clearly defined particulars of the challenge to his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh throughout his official go to to Hanoi.
Mr Hun Manet reassured Vietnamese leaders that the challenge, which Vietnam had expressed concern over, won’t influence the Mekong River water system.
The Council of Ministers in Could authorized the Tonle Bassac navigation and logistics system challenge to maximise the potential of Cambodia’s waterway transportation by connecting the Mekong River system to the ocean after a 26-month research.
This plan grew to become the primary challenge within the historical past of Cambodia’s waterway transportation sector as it will create a brand new 180-kilometre waterway from Prek Takeo of the Mekong River to the ocean in Kep province after getting by Prek Ta Ek and Prek Ta Hing of Bassac River in Kandal province’s Koh Thom district.
Nonetheless, neighbouring Vietnam raised concern that the challenge will have an effect on its use of the movement of water downstream and sought an evidence from the Cambodian authorities.
Talking to reporters throughout a press convention upon coming back from Vietnam, Jean-François Tain, Minister Delegate Connected to the Prime Minister in command of International Affairs and Worldwide Cooperation, mentioned Mr Hun Manet gave a transparent clarification to the Vietnamese chief.
“The Vietnamese aspect was involved that the Funan Techo Canal challenge may have a unfavourable influence on the Mekong River, so Cambodia has introduced the outcomes of a variety of research that affirm that there isn’t a influence on the atmosphere,” he mentioned.
Tain cited Mr Hun Manet’s clarification that based mostly on “sensible research” the canal will solely divert water from the Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong River.
“General, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet believed that the challenge would profit Cambodia’s financial system and commerce within the brief and medium time period, and it doesn’t trigger water movement and environmental influence to Vietnam,” he mentioned.
He famous that the challenge additionally doesn’t adversely have an effect on the movement of the Mekong and different rivers however as an alternative, it will protect the ecological atmosphere and pure habitats for biodiversity.
Based on Tain, the challenge will likely be transferring ahead as deliberate, saying the large challenge would promote Cambodia’s financial growth.
The challenge is predicted to offer financial advantages to Cambodia equivalent to a discount of length, size and prices of transportation, creation of commerce zones and logistics hubs, growth of recent terminals, enlargement of agriculture, irrigation, aquaculture and animal elevating growth zones and help the event of the fourth financial pole.
It is usually anticipated to create extra jobs at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Phnom Penh Autonomous Port and different ports and expedite the city growth, city planning and actual property market. The development is estimated to take about 4 years.
The challenge is predicted to cross Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep provinces with a complete inhabitants of roughly 1.6 million individuals who stay alongside each side of the waterway.
The canal will likely be 100 metres broad upstream, 80 metres broad downstream and have a constant depth of 5.4 metres.
Throughout his go to to China in October, Mr Hun Manet witnessed the signing ceremony of a Framework Settlement with China Bridge and Street Company (CRBC) on the Funan Techo Canal Mission. The settlement will permit CRBC to conduct a complete eight-month research of the challenge’s numerous points.
Deputy Prime Minister Solar Chanthol, who can also be the primary vice-president of the Council for the Growth of Cambodia (CDC), signed the settlement with representatives of the CRBC in Beijing.
Thong Mengdavid, a Analysis Supervisor on the Asian Imaginative and prescient Institute (AVI) and a Lecturer on the Institute for Worldwide Research and Public Coverage (IISPP), mentioned yesterday that Mr Hun Manet’s clarification on the challenge was “very diplomatic and affordable”.
“The Funan Techo Canal growth challenge is solely a matter of Cambodia’s home and sovereign affairs during which Cambodia may implement any growth challenge inside the Kingdom.
Nonetheless, Cambodia additionally knowledgeable and defined this proposal to the Mekong River Fee to make sure transparency, accountability and sustainable growth of the Mekong River,” he mentioned.
He famous that Vietnam’s issues are extra on financial pursuits as a result of the Funan Techno Canal will present extra financial and strategic benefits to Cambodia by slicing down time and price of maritime logistic and connectivity within the area (with out having to make use of Vietnam to get to the ocean).
“Lastly, Cambodia must have ‘financial house’ that might permit the Kingdom to undertake any growth initiatives no matter political strain or affect from any nations. Cambodia respects and adheres to the precept of sovereignty and non-interference which is on the core of its international insurance policies,” he added.
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