The government on Monday approved the draft of the Interim Master Plan on Intermodal Transport and Logistics Connectivity, which will serve as a roadmap for the development of the sector and lower costs.

Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth used the meeting to acknowledge the participation of development partners and their contribution to the master plan for 2020-2021.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said the interim master plan had been prepared by the ministry in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) since September 2018.

“It has been established to promote integrated transport and improve the supply chain. It will modernise transport and logistics thereby reducing costs, improve cross-border movement and increase Cambodia’s competitiveness, while helping diversify the Kingdom’s economy,” the ministry said.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the plan would boost competiveness and attract further investment.

“The master plan was established to reduce transport and logistics costs, and create jobs,” Chanthol said.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport spokesman Vasim Sorya told The Post on Wednesday that the government planned to complete the interim master plan by June.

“We still have to include the section on air transport from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation. When the Interim Master Plan on Intermodal Transport and Logistics Connectivity is complete, we will send it to the government for approval,” Sorya said.

Five sectors form part of the plan, which has sections on road transport; railways; waterways and ports; Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville logistics; and general logistics.

“We operators strongly support this project on future improvements to transport and logistics, but we urge the government to focus on improving Cambodia’s infrastructure, especially the roads,” said Sin Chanthy, the president of the Cambodia Freight Forwarders Association.