Private sector companies have expressed interest in building a high-speed railway to connect Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the Thai border town of Poipet, Transportation Minister Sun Chanthol announced yesterday.

“We have met a number of companies, but I’m just not sure if they have ability to [build the railway] or if the investment would be profitable for them,” he said during a visit to Siem Reap.

A ministry spokesman later clarified that there was no concrete plan for a new railway link at this time, but if top-level discussions progress a feasibility study will be commissioned.