14, July 2006 : Electrical signing ceremony

On July 14, 2006, in a groundbreaking ceremony, at the Office of the Council of Ministers, the APSARA Authority and the Electric Du Cambodge, signed a contract in which the latter agrees to wholesale electrical supply to the former in the cultural and tourism city as well as the protected zones of the Angkor Archeological Park. The electrical installation will be completed by November in conjunction of the grand opening of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture EXPO 2006, which is going to be held in Siem Reap city at the cultural and tourism city from November 21, 2006 to January 9, 2007. The 50-days EXPO, a very first of its kind in Cambodia, is expected to attract 500,000 visitors.

To mark the welcoming of the EXPO and for the successful of this event, along with electricity, the APSARA Authority together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Siem Reap provincial authority, under the framework of the Royal Government of Cambodia, have heavily invested in public domain such as landscaping and constructing other basic infrastructures: road network and buildings. Resulting from such public investment, a vast and highly connected road network and an international convention center with the seating capacity of 3000 people will soon stand before the tourists as well as the bypass travelers. Streets will also be nightly enlightened to allow tourist, for the first time, to explore Siem Reap suburban’s areas and parts of the park at night.

Never before has the electrical infrastructure been installed to supply into these Zones. According to the remark of H.E Mr. BUN Narith, Director General of the APSARA Authority, the electrical installation is truly reflecting the commitment of the APSARA Authority to improve basic infrastructures to address the issue of electrical shortage in Siem Reap, which is heavily demanded by the growth of tourism industry. Likewise, it is to provide a better future outlook for the local communities. Furthermore, it is an instrumental drive which can bolster the realization of the APSARA Authority future vision in establishing a truly cultural and tourism city within the parameter of the Siem Reap city.

On the environmental aspect, such installation is also a step towards reducing air pollution in Siem Reap. Air pollution in Siem Reap is not at an alarming stage, but the APSARA Authority has the policy which obliges it to secure environmental quality conducive for quality of life and sustainable tourism development. Such perspective is highly optimistic because many businesses and hoteliers would cease using generators; therefore, air pollution causes by smoke would likely to reduce.