Sihanoukville Port, FASMEC Sign MOU to Support SME Development

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 17, 2026: Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) and the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to cooperate in supporting the development of small and medium enterprises.

The signing ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mang Sineth, Governor of Preah Sihanouk province; H.E. Lou Kim Chhun, Royal Government Delegate and Director-General of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port; and Oknha Te Taingpor, President of FASMEC. It took place at the port's conference hall in Commune 3, Sihanoukville.

Oknha Te Taingpor said the MOU is an important step for a sector he described as the backbone of the national economy. He noted that SMEs frequently face high transport costs, and that the port serves as the heart of logistics and a bridge for trade facilitation, helping to reduce shipping costs, boost Cambodian exports and promote domestic products.

H.E. Lou Kim Chhun said the port belongs to all Cambodians, and described the agreement as an event connecting Cambodia to international trade. He outlined the port's development phases: construction of a new 350-metre container terminal with a water depth of 14.5 metres is under way and due for completion in March 2027; a second 400-metre terminal with a depth of 16.5 metres is set to begin construction at the end of 2026; and a third 430-metre terminal with a depth of 17.5 metres is in the contractor selection process, with construction expected to start in early 2027.

H.E. Mang Sineth welcomed the agreement as evidence of connecting Cambodia's key international trade gateway with the driving force of the local economy. The MOU aims to establish a cooperation framework that raises SME awareness of port procedures, promotes trade facilitation, reduces logistics costs, strengthens competitiveness and reinforces partnership between the port and the private sector.

The Governor also cited government policies supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, including the Informal Economy Development Strategy 2023-2028, SME financing through the SME Bank, the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia and the Skills Development Fund, as well as digitalisation efforts and platforms such as Khmer SME.

He noted that Prime Minister Hun Manet launched the Special Investment Promotion Programme for Preah Sihanouk Province in 2024 and extended its benefits through the end of 2027. As a result, the investment working group has received 518 project proposals, of which 511 have received principle approval, representing total investment capital of more than $8 billion.

Source: រដ្ឋបាលខេត្តព្រះសីហនុ-Preah Sihanoukville Administration

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Reported by The Khmer Today