The newly-upgraded National Road No. 5 will further promote Cambodian economy and trade and provide great benefits through the increase in exports and imports, as well as contribute to reducing road accidents and traffic congestion. The comments were made by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet on his social media networks this evening, adding that people living along the NR5 will have a better living standard thanks to the growth of development, investment and tourism. The 366-kilometre-long NR5 is scheduled to be officially inaugurated at the end of this month under the presidency of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. NR5 (ASEAN Highway No. 1) is the second priority of the five key priorities –People, Road, Water, Electricity, and Technology – of the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 of the 7th-mandate Royal Government of Cambodia. The improvement project of NR5 kicked off on Mar 26, 2018 and was completed on Jan 10, 2022 at a total cost of about US$500 million. NR5 connects Prek Kdam of Kandal province to Poipet city of Banteay Meanchey province by passing through the provinces Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, and Battambang. It is divided into three sections: Section North (Battambang-Serey Sophorn), Section South (Prek Kdam-Thlea Ma-am), and Central Section (Thlea Ma-am-Battambang and Serey Sophorn-Poipet).