A bird's-eye view of SSEZ. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
An event was held on May 22 to celebrate the introduction of more than 200 enterprises in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, Cambodia, according to local media outlets in Wuxi.
SSEZ is a joint development project carried out by a slew of Chinese enterprises led by Wuxi's HOdo Group and Cambodian enterprises.
From a barren land to the fastest-growing and most influential economic zone in Cambodia, SSEZ, has been hailed as a model of practical cooperation between China and Cambodia.
With a total planned area of 11.13 square kilometers, SSEZ has achieved road access, electricity, water supply, internet connectivity, drainage, sewage treatment, and land leveling within a 6-square-kilometer area, making it an internationally well-equipped industrial park with complete production and living facilities in Cambodia.
Zhou Haijiang, chairman of HOdo Group, said, "We are accelerating the industrial upgrading in SSEZ, transforming from labor-intensive industries such as textiles and bags to high value-added industries such as auto parts, tires, new materials, hardware machinery, building materials, and home furnishings.
They will also strive to attract more competitive emerging manufacturing enterprises, Zhou added.
Currently, a large number of high value-added, technology-intensive industries are thriving in the zone. There are already 202 companies and institutions from China, Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and other countries and regions operating here, accounting for about 70 percent of the total number of enterprises in Preah Sihanouk Province and creating 32,000 jobs.
"This is an economic zone and an important engine for Cambodia's economic takeoff," said Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center. "SSEZ not only promotes the upgrading of Cambodia's industries but also drives technology transfer, helping local workers acquire advanced production experience and injecting new vitality into Cambodia's economy."
