The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has convened a meeting to discuss the speeding up of the draft port law. The meeting took place here in Phnom Penh, headed by Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister and Minister of Public Works and Transport, with the participation of concerned senior officials and technical experts. The law is expected to play a crucial role in management and development of port, promotion of national and international trade, order maintenance, facilitation of port service uses, and environmental protection. Mr. Chanthol also requested the participating technical experts to further substantiate the law, in reference to existing relevant legal documents in the Kingdom as well as the international law and similar laws of other countries. Cambodia has in total 78 river ports along the Mekong River, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac and other provinces; and 27 sea ports managed by both the government and private companies.