For the future 834-hectare project, the charity arm of a Cambodian multinational engages the local population as essential stakeholders.
Prince Charitable Foundation, a charitable arm of Cambodia's Prince Holding Group ('Prince Group'), has provided care packages to 500 people in Ong village, Prey Nob district. The town is close to the Ream City project, an 834-hectare reclaimed land development near the Sihanoukville International Airport that has the potential to change the region. Last week, senior management from Canopy Sands Development, a Prince Group company, made the gift of goodwill, as well as consulting local leaders to better understand the community's needs. Prince Group's latest environment, social, and governance (ESG) effort is an aid campaign in Ong Village.
One mat, one blanket, two pillows, one mosquito net, and one Khmer Krama were included in each care package (traditional scarves woven in the countryside). It will be the first of many measures to help the local community, especially since Prince Group anticipates citizens playing a key role in the coastal project's growth. Ream City, once completed, is expected to house up to 130,000 people and will likely include housing estates, themed shopping centres, schools, and hospitals, boosting the local economy.
At a time when rural Cambodians are facing significant economic issues, Prince Group has concentrated on giving products to assist inhabitants with their everyday requirements. “We are serious about engaging with local communities and establishing a good relationship with them – they are key stakeholders for the Ream City project. Not only do we consider it our duty as a responsible corporate actor to provide assistance in these challenging times, we believe local residents will play an important role as part of our workforce due to the scale of the Ream City project,” said Mr. Khong Weng Fook, Managing Director of Canopy Sands Development. “Currently, about 70 locals are employed at the Ream City project. In time, we will look to impart the necessary skills through upskilling and other human empowerment efforts to further engage local residents for the project.”
Throughout the aid effort, Prince Group management communicated with Mr. Sor Kakada, Prey Nob District Chief, to better understand locals' needs. They were told that greater healthcare facilities are required. Prey Nob is located outside of Sihanoukville, therefore basic medical services are limited. As a result, Prince Group will look into the possibility of opening healthcare dispensaries in the area.
Ream City will create significant job possibilities for Cambodians and assist the expansion of the Sihanoukville International Airport, which is scheduled to rise from 3.6 million to 10 million passengers by the end of the decade. Prince Group feels that by distributing basic aid, a healthy discussion may be developed between local populations and developers, resulting in a fruitful long-term relationship.
The ESG approach of Prince Group focuses on three areas: healthcare, education, and community participation. Last year, the Group made many major gifts to aid in the pandemic's fight and to support flood victims in Cambodia. Prince Charitable Foundation Organization has hosted over 240 charitable events and contributed monies and other resources totaling over US$11 million to serve over 320,000 people. The Chairman of Prince Group, Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, has also donated US$3 million to help Cambodia purchase 1 million COVID-19 vaccines.
About Prince Charitable Foundation Organization
Prince Charitable Foundation Organization, a member of Prince Holding Group, is dedicated to public charity, corporate responsibility, and social harmony and progress. It focuses on social welfare projects, such as municipal development and environmental protection, with a special focus on helping school dropouts, disabled people, and the elderly. Prince Charitable Foundation was established with a national mandate and seeded with US$1 million by Prince Holding Group, which was raised through property sales proceeds. It has also received substantial gifts from other individuals and organisations. Prince Charitable Foundation Organization has organised over 240 charity events that have benefited over 320,000 individuals and raised more than $11 million in donations.
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