Background
National Road No.1 connects Phnom Penh with the southeastern border at Bavet and serves as a principal corridor for cross-border freight between Cambodia and Vietnam. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is responsible for planning, development and management of Cambodia’s national road and bridge infrastructure.
On 14 September 2026, Secretary of State Touch Chankosal of MPWT chaired a technical meeting attended by senior officials from MPWT, representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (including the General Directorate of International Cooperation and Debt Management and the General Directorate for Impact Mitigation), and delegations from JICA headquarters and the JICA Cambodia Office. The agenda covered a kick-off presentation by a fact-finding mission, the scope for improving and expanding National Road No.1 together with construction of a Mekong-crossing bridge, and the required technical, financial, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and resettlement action plan (RAP) workstreams.
Key Developments
Participants reviewed the fact-finding mission report and discussed preliminary options for road widening, alignment changes and a fixed Mekong crossing to support traffic flows toward southern economic border gates. The meeting explicitly included discussion of technical feasibility, financing considerations, environmental and social impact assessments, and a follow-up action plan for next steps. Attendees agreed on project direction and on continuing close cooperation among MPWT, MEF directorates and JICA to advance planning activities.
Institutional Role
MPWT led the coordination and technical review for the transport project while the Ministry of Economy and Finance joined on issues of international cooperation, debt management and impact mitigation. JICA participated through both its headquarters and country office, providing technical cooperation and advisory engagement in the study and planning phases. The fact-finding mission presentation formed the technical basis for further project scoping and preparatory studies.
Implications for Transport and Investment
The meeting formalised a multi-agency preparatory phase that integrates engineering, finance and environmental-social assessments before detailed design or procurement. Continued cooperation among MPWT, MEF directorates and JICA aims to prepare the required study documentation and action plans needed for subsequent investment decisions and implementation stages.
