Sihanoukville’s Investment Strategy: Why the ‘Economy First, City Later’ Blueprint is Key

On Monday morning, December 6, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, H.E. Say Sam Al, led a high-level government delegation to inspect the progress of Sihanoukville’s new multi-purpose stadium.

However, the DPM’s subsequent remarks delivered a powerful strategic vision that extends far beyond physical infrastructure. H.E. Say Sam Al clearly articulated the government’s approach to Sihanoukville’s urbanization, emphasizing that development must be strictly founded on robust economic pillars before aesthetic or social planning can be prioritized. This guiding principle is the “Economy First, City Later” blueprint.

I. The New Urban Vision: Sihanoukville as a ‘Healthy Cell’ Network

From Standalone Project to Integrated Urban Cell

H.E. Say Sam Al emphasized that the stadium is not just a sports venue; it represents “one cell among many cells” crucial for orchestrating Sihanoukville’s urban future. This signals a shift away from isolated projects toward a networked, holistic planning model.

• The “Healthy Cell” Concept: The DPM stressed the need to arrange these cells to be “healthy and happy.” This vision integrates functional social spaces—the stadium complex includes a museum, parks, an amphitheater, and camping areas—with the city’s economic needs, ensuring a high quality of life alongside commerce.
• Adaptive Planning for Growth: The DPM indicated that the initial master plan was flexible, stating that the current efforts are “pioneering some new blueprints” that can be continually adapted. This ensures that the urban development of Sihanoukville remains responsive to economic growth rather than being constrained by rigid, potentially outdated designs.

II. The Core Principle: Economic Strength Must Pave the Way

Leveraging Sihanoukville’s Foundational Economic Drivers

The clear mandate for city planners and investors is that all major infrastructure spending must be strategically justified by the city’s ability to generate revenue. This ensures projects remain sustainable and prevents them from becoming non-performing assets.

“We must think that our Sihanoukville needs to have a vital life in this new era. We must pursue economic development first and arrange the city afterwards,” H.E. Say Sam Al stated.

The Three Strategic Economic Pillars

The DPM highlighted three irreversible national assets that form the robust economic foundation of Sihanoukville, making it a powerful investment hub:

1. The International Deep Seaport: The crucial expansion to a depth of 17.50 meters allows the world’s largest container vessels to dock, solidifying the port’s role as the region’s main logistical lifeline.
2. The International Airport: The airport’s proven capacity to handle all types of cargo and passenger aircraft strengthens Sihanoukville’s global connectivity for both trade and tourism.
3. The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway: As Cambodia’s first expressway, it provides a high-speed logistical corridor, accelerating the movement of goods, people, and capital to and from the nation’s economic capital.

III. Security and Utility Guarantees for Global Investors

Ensuring Business Confidence and Quality of Life

The government’s vision is robustly backed by essential guarantees aimed at ensuring Sihanoukville is a reliable and safe investment destination:

• Security Assurance: H.E. Say Sam Al unequivocally stressed the commitment to guarantee public security and safety for residents, tourists, and, critically, investors. This includes a clear mandate to eradicate online scams that have previously damaged the city’s international reputation.
• Infrastructure Reliability: The DPM provided clear assurances on essential utilities, addressing a key investor concern:
  • Clean Water: Supply is sufficient, with strategic plans already in place to expand connectivity from Kampot province to meet future demand.
  • Electricity: The province currently maintains a sufficient electricity supply to support current and planned economic growth.

In conclusion, Sihanoukville’s strategic development is defined by a clear hierarchy: secure the strategic transport and logistics assets, guarantee safety and utilities, and then build holistic “healthy cell” urban development that integrates social and cultural life.