AKP Phnom Penh, June 30, 2026 -- Siem Reap’s ongoing smart city initiative is set to significantly boost foreign investment, revitalize tourism, and streamline public services as provincial authorities move forward with plans to modernize Cambodia’s premier historical destination.

The strategy was the central focus of the 4th General Meeting of the Siem Reap Smart City Consortium on June 29. The session was chaired by H.E. Um Mara, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and Chair of the Smart City Coordination and Steering Committee, alongside Siem Reap Deputy Governor Samkol Sochetra. The high-level meeting convened public and private sector leaders to align technological implementation with the province's urgent development priorities.

Deputy Governor Samkol Sochetra highly praised the province’s technical cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He noted that the partnership successfully deployed 10 smart city pilot projects during its initial phase.

Building on that momentum, the provincial administration is launching eight new smart projects for Phase 2. These initiatives are specifically engineered to tackle current urban bottlenecks and transition Siem Reap into a highly sustainable, modern heritage site.

"Smart city development will fundamentally improve the efficiency of city management and radically enhance public service delivery. This initiative is vital to attracting premium investments, boosting high-value tourism, and increasing the province’s overall competitiveness within Southeast Asia."

To ensure seamless execution, H.E. Um Mara directed the Smart City Coordination Committee and local authorities to deepen their integration with JICA's technical experts, emphasizing the need for measurable, tangible results in this next phase.

This local push aligns with a broader national vision. The Ministry of Interior is currently finalizing Cambodia's 10-Year National Smart City Development Strategy (2025–2035). The comprehensive roadmap positions Siem Reap as the country's flagship model, establishing a blueprint for urban modernization across the rest of the kingdom.

By Sum Kosal