Synopsis: Institutional reforms, inter-ministerial coordination and effective project oversight would be critical to translating infrastructure spending into tangible economic gains, says Ponea. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) yesterday outlined an ambitious agenda for 2026, positioning infrastructure efficiency, digital public services, and logistics connectivity at the heart of the country’s economic growth strategy as it reviewed its performance in 2025. Speaking at the Conference Summarising the Results of 2025 Work and Setting the Direction for 2026, Minister of MPWT Peng Ponea said the public works and transport sector remained a core driver of productivity, trade facilitation and national competitiveness under the government’s Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I. He told officials, development partners, and private-sector representatives that the annual conference was a key platform for assessing progress, confronting implementation challenges, and aligning future priorities with the Royal Government’s goal of achieving sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth. The minister underlined that infrastructure development sits squarely within the Pentagonal Strategy’s five priorities – people, roads, water, electricity and technology – and plays a decisive role in reducing business costs, improving market access and strengthening Cambodia’s integration into regional and global supply chains. “Infrastructure connectivity and transport efficiency are fundamental to economic growth,” Ponea said, noting that improved logistics systems help lower transport times and costs for goods, while supporting trade, tourism and investment. For 2026 and beyond, the ministry has articulated two main strategic visions: accelerating the modernisation and digitalisation of transport services to make them faster, more transparent and reliable, and strengthening the quality, safety and sustainability of transport infrastructure across road, rail and waterway networks. Reviewing 2025 achievements, Ponea reported notable gains across transport services. Land transport saw increased vehicle registrations, driving licence issuance and permits for goods transport, alongside a decline in technical and overloading violations. Road safety indicators also improved, with reductions in both fatalities and injuries compared to 2024.