Preah Sihanouk province plans to attract a new type of Chinese investor which could restore the image of Sihanoukville as a tourist city and shift investment away from casinos.

In a meeting with Chinese embassy officials in August, provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun said the current closure of online gaming businesses will have a short-term impact on the local economy, in both the real estate and employment sectors.

“Those who are working in the [online] gaming industry will be unemployed, followed by workers in the construction sector, who have been laid off from their jobs,” he said.

However, he said, the Chinese side will help attract new investors from China to the province to bring the situation under control.

“The Chinese embassy will soon prepare for groups of businessmen to go to Preah Sihanouk province and invest in other areas, creating sustainable jobs,” he said.

Chamroeun said most of the construction projects in the province are currently suspended, which has created a crisis in the province.

“[We] hope that the ambassador will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in beachfront resort projects.

“We need more tourism investment. The embassy will support the construction projects that will provide stability to those that have already been built,” he said.

The construction sector in the province has been affected by the government’s recent measures to ensure construction quality and standards.

The regulations came following the collapse of a seven-storey building that left many workers dead and injured.

However, Chamroeun said while most large buildings in the province are owned by large companies which follow standards, most medium and small constructions are built without proper authorisation.

Provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearum told The Post on Tuesday that the province has recently received three new Chinese investment projects worth more than $100 million.

The projects include a five-star hotel, a leather processing plant and a feed mill, he said. “China has promised to attract good investors in non-casinos areas to come and invest more in the Kingdom.”

Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) president Chrek Soknim said attracting new investors outside the casino sector may be a positive move that will bring long-term investments which will not cause concerns for society.

“Long-term investments will not only create stable jobs for skilled workers but also stabilise the national economy. The real estate sector will maintain positive growth as the economy continues to improve,” he said.

More here

https://phnompenhpost.com/business/siha ... 3-45527017

I am not so sure there will be a rush to build non- casino businesses.

Its all been about tons of quick and easy money from online gambling up until now.

The coast has suffered greatly with its rapid and often unregulated growth. I can't see investors lining up to build because of the mess the place is in and its reputation. They are looking to attract a different type of visitor and thats going to be a challenge.

On a positive note many will be pleased with the new direction and vision.

Will you see non-Chinese tourists coming back to visit?? Simple answer is No. Well not for a long time.

I don't think your girlfriend is the best agent at understanding what SHv is going through, not being rude but THEM and THEY don't really have the same cultural concept on business and opportunities. [Mod edit: no offensive name calling of khmers pls] And I'm married to one of the brighter ones. Let's see what's happening when the actual contracts end at Christmas. You've been wrong before, with your warnings of doom. By at least two years, a browse back though forum history sees this.

I don't think your girlfriend is the best agent at understanding what SHv is going through,

did i cite my gf above? Have you been there lately?
it is a copy paste from PPP.

If you don't agree with the article, maybe address that rather than try to straw man me with ad hom.

My opinion has nothing at all to do with the news which is wholly the work of a journalist.

As far as they and them, I have no idea what you mean.

It is true my gf is from there and has eyes, but nothing to do with this post at all.

Maybe go back to bed and try getting out the other side.

The Chinese should be trying to attract tourists to Sihanoukville by advertising a kind of 'Cultural Experience Disneyland' at Otres -
They could hire elephant pant-wearing, dreadlocked/man-bunned, caucasian stoners... and charge a (relative) fortune to show the masses the superiority of communism.

They are highly unlikely to find any takers at those rates.

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:43 am the big question than is
how do you draw back the barang expat business owners, investors and Barang tourists that the Chinese chased out??

why would they want to?
it was all drugs and dreadlocks
or the kind of sex tourists who found phnom penh too mainstream

5-star might work cambodian islands and eco-reserves
but it'll take a while to 'mainstream' sihanoukeville's reputation

"why would they want to?
it was all drugs and dreadlocks
or the kind of sex tourists who found phnom penh too mainstream"

No, it was for anyone. A degree of tolerance was necessary, but there was no flooding or shit in the water. Reasonably priced rooms were readably available and the seafood was fresh as were the girls. I remember the latter two fondly. Hmmm....red snapper-my favorite dis.

taabarang wrote: ↑Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:49 am "why would they want to?
it was all drugs and dreadlocks
or the kind of sex tourists who found phnom penh too mainstream"

No, it was for anyone. A degree of tolerance was necessary, but there was no flooding or shit in the water. Reasonably priced rooms were readably available and the seafood was fresh as were the girls. I remember the latter two fondly. Hmmm....red snapper-my favorite dis.

Did she have one?
Urgh.