Land Management Minister Chea Sophara will today sign an agreement in Seoul with his South Korean counterpart to develop a so-called smart city in Preah Sihanouk province.

However, a ministry official yesterday could not confirm whether the development would be in Sihanoukville itself.

Ministry spokesman Cheam Sophal Makara said the memorandum of understanding would involve combining technology and eco-friendly infrastructure.

“Smart city means we will have modern urban planning for the city, focused on building good infrastructure, using modern technology and eco-friendly methods,” Makara said, adding that he had no further details about the project.

South Korean media also reported the agreement, with the Korea Herald stating that the development would take place in “Sihanoukville province, home to Cambodia’s main deep-sea port on the southwestern coast”.

The newspaper also reported that, under the agreement, state-run Korea Land and Housing Corp. would support a Cambodian public housing project – starting a pilot project in the capital next year.