Son Sreypich Interview After the Trip to the United States

Potentials of Battambang Province for Eco-tourism & Investment

Battambang Province is an attractive one among other potential area in Cambodia which is locally known as the famous rice producer because the good climate and fertilized soils allow for producing million tons of rice every year. There are a lot of rice mills in this province, which are putting into operations to meet both local demand and overseas exports. According to General Population Census of Cambodia 2008, Battambang Province covers areas of 11,702 square kilometer with the population of 1,024,663 people. If we compare density in 1998 with 2008, it increases the density from 68 people to 88 people per square kilometer. Specifically, Human Resource in Battambang is believed to be strong in many skills like business skill, computer skill, communication skill, interpersonal skill, foreign language, and other specialty. Certainly, it is the golden opportunity for the investors, who are interested in agricultural investment on rice in Battambang.

Furthermore, there is the huge rich alluvial for agriculture and industrialize crops, and natural resorts for ecotourism. Not only rice produce, but also other crops such as orange, grape, cotton, palm tree, coconut, cassava, corn, bean, etc. Many crops is describes at the moments can also be exported to foreign country and used in food and light industry. About the chance to develop Tourism Company in Battambang, it is sure that if you make decision to invest for tourism sector, you will succeed 100% with many natural and cultural resorts in Battambang. For example, Prek Tal resorts (The Paradise of Birds), Phnom Sampov, Phnom Banan (Banan Temple), Sek Sork River Resorts, Ek Phnom Temple, Kamping Puoy Lake, Popos Pechinda River Resort, Chamlong Kuoy River Resort and another beautiful natural resorts which is not opened yet. Especially, most of these resorts are along the national road number 57A, it is sure that travelling will be easy and comfortable for investor and tourist to visit that area which is the most eye-catching one in Battambang. By these factors, Battambang will become the most interesting destination for both investment and ecotourism.

In conclusion, it is suggested that all the investors and tourists (both national and international) should choose Battambang to be invested and visited with the potential land and beautiful scenes of this province.

By: POK Panhavuth

Battambang Province Overview

Battambang Province is the most famous rice producing province and a second biggest city in Cambodia. It locates in the northwest area near Tonle Sap Lake (Boeung Tonle Sap). It has boundary with Thailand (Changwat Trat, Changwat Chanthaburi, and Changwat Sakeo). Locally, it connected with Pailin Province, Banteay Meanchey Province, Siem Reap Province, Pursat Province, and Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake). Noticeably, Banteay Meanchey used to be the part of Battambang Province and it was separated as Banteay Meanchey Province since 1987. It had been in peace again when civil war in Cambodia finished in 1998. Nowadays, Battambang has a population of 1,025,174 people equal 7.65% of the Cambodia's total population (2008 Cambodian Citizens Census). Most people are living in the rice field area and usually do the farming. However, many people living in Battambang city are likely to do business or work for private sector (Investing Company) and public sector (Royal Government of Cambodia). Furthermore, Battambang people, especially students are studious to learn foreign languages like Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Thai... Therefore, Battambang is now potential for tourism and foreign investment because most of Khmer Battambang can communicate well with foreigner. Finally, Battambang can be considered as "The Land of hope".

By: POK Panhavuth