Cambodia to Build Exhibition Hall for 2003 ASEAN Tourism ForumThe Ministry of Tourism is ready to submit a proposal to Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara for the construction of a massive exhibition hall, which will be used for the upcoming 2003 ASEAN Tourism Forum, the Cambodia Daily reported Wednesday.The exhibition hall, which will be built on 9,000 square meters of land across the Tonle Sap river from the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, is part of Phnom Penh governor's grand plan to beautify Phnom Penh and the Chroy Changva park. Chea Sophara said, "We are forming a committee to discuss the proposal and examine the details of the construction." The Ministry of Tourism will fund the entire exhibition hall project while the city of Phnom Penh will donate the land, he added. The construction of the exhibition center is estimated to spend 6 million U.S. dollars, half of which the Ministry of Tourism has already prepared and the Ministry of Finance is still looking for the remaining half for the project. Officials said that the exhibition hall will hold more than 400 booths, a large meeting hall, board room and other offices. Approximately 1,500 international guests are expected to visit Phnom Penh for seven to 10 days during the 2003 meeting, which Cambodia is hosting for the first time. |
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