Chhay Bora
When Cambodia successfully completes the construction of the Funan Techo canal, then our economy will run at a speed of two or three times, at a faster pace than at present. Cambodian farmers are no longer completely dependent on selling agricultural products to Vietnamese traders, who often have lowered Cambodian farmers’ agricultural products. At that time, our farmers will have more choices of selling their agricultural products at an acceptable price.
By then, the Cambodian economy will stand out on the world map as one of the fastest growing, sustainable and resilient economies in the world.
This canal is an effective way for Cambodia in trade, transporting Cambodian made products to its trading partners and to recover from the economic pressure that has always been insulted by Vietnamese traders and authorities.
Therefore, the Royal Government of Cambodia, at any cost, should accelerate the construction and restoration of the ancient Funan Canal, which is geographically located in the territory of Cambodia, and beneficial to the economy in the long run, so that Cambodia can accelerate to become an upper-middle income country by 2030 and a high income country by 2050 and a rich country in the future.
Likewise, Vietnam should immediately stop interfering in Cambodia’s internal affairs and must abide by the principles set out in the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Statements 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022, which stipulate respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and resolve all issues between the two countries peacefully.
Chhay Bora is a government affairs and public policy expert. Bora is the managing director of the strategic advisory firm BowerGroupAsia’s (BGA) Cambodia office, he helps companies navigate risks and seize business opportunities in the country. This article was first published in Cambodianess.
