Background
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is the lead agency for planning and regulating transport infrastructure that includes navigable inland waterways, ports, and related maritime facilities. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) oversees water resource management and technical standards for hydraulic infrastructure and river works.
On 2 September 2026, Undersecretary Chan Tara of MPWT chaired a technical meeting with MOWRAM officials to examine and finalize a draft sub-decree on the management of waterway infrastructure. The meeting included directors, deputy directors, technical working-group members, and the drafting team from the Directorate of Water Transport, Maritime and Ports, who reviewed the draft article by article and edited the draft legal-basis memorandum.
Scope of Application
The draft sub-decree under review addresses the governance and management of waterway infrastructure used for transport and port operations. Meeting notes indicate the draft specifically considers provisions that define the competencies of MOWRAM in relation to MPWT responsibilities.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Participants conducted technical-level reviews of each article in the draft sub-decree and agreed detailed revisions where needed. The drafting team worked to align legal-basis documentation with the Directorate of Water Transport, Maritime and Ports’ proposed text, with particular attention to articles referencing MOWRAM competencies.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
In Cambodia, sub-decrees provide binding implementation detail for laws and allocate administrative responsibilities among ministries. A finalized sub-decree on waterway infrastructure would clarify management arrangements and the roles of responsible agencies, which is relevant to operators, port managers, and firms involved in river transport and related services.
Official Source
Source: Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Facebook post, 2 September 2026: https://www.facebook.com/mpwt.gov.kh/posts/pfbid02Xv5P9Pb3ahFyfXR91VX2VtvKJSTmmFpTomg3SahBRzZMe7GVE5et1FyQ3LRqv1Evl
