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Development Goals
Preah Sihanouk Province is planned towards realizing the vision of a multi-purpose SEZ with one master planning period of 15 years in 2 steps:
Development Phase I
(2025 - 2030)
In the near term (2025-2030), during Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, the focus will be on integrating the province actively into the regional trade system, expanding its logistics and tourism capabilities, upgrading the old town and developing new areas, and attracting high-quality investment to foster industrial development and infrastructure.
Development Phase II
(2030 - 2040)
In the next 10 years till the baseline target year of the Master Plan (2030-2040), during Pentagonal Strategy Phase II and III, Preah Sihanouk Province will solidify its role as a national gateway and regional hub city for finance, trade, industrial development, transportation, and technology. It will aim to become a diversified city with high-tech manufacturing and high-end services, a key industrial base and trade center, a world-famous coastal city suitable for living and entrepreneurship, a green and sustainable city and a smart city, and a high-income province with shared prosperity.
Development Scale
The process of realizing the development scale of the MPSEZ is also the process of shaping a national economic growth pole. Based on the development process and experience of Asian special economic zones, the share of the MPSEZ in the national economy will continue to increase during the first 15 years after the launch of MPSEZ strategy and policy until a relatively stable level.
To achieve the strategic goal, Preah Sihanouk Province is projected to become a thriving metropolis with a high-income level surpassing the rest of the country. After the completion of the Master Plan, Preah Sihanouk Province is expected to have a resident population of nearly 1 million and generate an annual GDP of 13.6 billion USD. The development land is estimated to cover an area of 200-250 km2 making the 2nd largest metropolis after Greater Phnom Penh Metropolitan Area and 3rd largest provincial administrative unit in terms of economy and population after Phnom Penh and Kandal.
Spatial Structure
A provincial spatial structure, "1 Belt, 1 Corridor, 3 Cities and 1 District, Multi-Points", has been proposed based on the province's natural geography and the strategic goals of MPSEZ’s development. This structure leverages major transport infrastructures including Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Steung Hav International Port , Sihanouk International Airport, and regional traffic corridor such as National Road No.4 and PP-SHV Expressway.
The "1 Belt, 1 Corridor, 3 Cities and 1 District, Multi-Points" concept encompasses the Cambodian Bay Coastal Development Belt, Economic Development Corridor, Sihanoukville-Prey Nob Integrated City, Steung Hav City, Koh Rong City, Kampong Seila District and multi periphery towns. This structure positions Preah Sihanouk Province as the "leader" of the PP-SHV National Industrial Corridor and the "center" of the Coastal Development Belt in Cambodian Bay.
One Belt and One Corridor
"1 Belt, 1 Corridor" refers to the Cambodian Bay Coastal Development Belt and the Economic Development Corridor, which are integral components of the regional spatial structure within Preah Sihanouk Province. The Cambodia Bay Development Belt, stretching from Dara Sakor to Kampot Port, is characterized by tourism, resorts, and featured finance, and encompasses iconic destinations such as Koh Rong Island, Sihanoukville, contiguous beaches, Ream National Park, and protected mangrove forest. The corridor from PAS to administrative boundary between Kampong Seila and Traeng Trayueng, encompasses Steung Hav City, Sihanoukville Agro-town and Kampong Seila town center, mainly drives industrial development.
Three Cities and One District
“Sihanoukville-Prey Nob Integrated City” covers Sihanoukville City and Prey Nob District in current administrative divisions. The major development area in “Sihanoukville-Prey Nob Integrated City” consists of Sihanoukville City, Ream and Bet Trang Community of Prey Nob District. Due to their proximity in space and development timeline, further urbanization makes integrated development possible. This will allow for the coordinated management of the urban development of Sihanoukville City and Prey Nob District as a whole. The geographic area of "Steung Hav City", "Koh Rong City" and "Kampong Seila District" are equal to Steung Hav District, Koh Rong City and Kampong Seila District respectively.
Multi Periphery Towns
Multi periphery towns are located along National Road No.4 in the north of Sihanoukville-Prey Nob Integrated City and Kampong Seila District. Some major towns, such as Sihanoukville Agro-town, Sre Ambel crossroad and Kampong Seila town center, serve as industrial or agricultural service clusters.
