Cambodia and Vietnam sign treaty to boost river cruising

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

(CAAI News Media)

Cambodia and Vietnam has signed a treaty that will allow freedom of navigation on the Mekong wat.

The treaty was signed on the first day of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s three-day visit to Cambodia.

The new treaty legally binds Cambodia and Vietnam to reducing the official restrictions that have existed for cross-border navigation, according to the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

“The Mekong and a range of other tributaries between Cambodia and Vietnam are now officially open.

“Now no one may legally stop river trade,” Mr. Mom Sibon, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport was quoted by the MRC.

Hei Bavy, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Chairman and CEO of Phnom Penh Port, said, “This agreement, along with the recent development of Cai Mep Port in Vietnam, provide exciting opportunities for economic growth in Cambodia and development of Phnom Penh Port.”

“We can now realize the full potential of the Mekong River by transporting goods directly to the United States, Europe and Australia through Cai Mep Port.”

According to the MRC, the new treaty will open up Mekong waterways to a range of new possibilities for generating trade revenue.

“Through this treaty, the Governments of Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to allow all waterway users to freely cross borders for the transport of cargo and passengers,” said Jeremy Bird, CEO of the MRC.

Mr. Bird added “This will help all vessels, including, river cruise ships by allowing better access to ports in the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and many more sites that attract tourists.”

The new regulations cover the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap, Bassac and Vam Nao rivers, in addition to a number of canals in Vietnam.

Both countries have agreed to grant to each other’s vessels “most favoured-nation treatment,” according to the wording of the treaty.

A Mekong Navigation Facilitation Committee will be established to implement and monitor the agreement