The Ministry of Public Works is accelerating the construction of the border checkpoint administrative buildings at Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian Friendship Bridge to facilitate travel of people and goods between Thailand and Cambodia in Banteay Meanchey province. Minister of Public Works Sun Chanthol is leading an official delegation to inspect the progress of construction today. The Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian Friendship Bridge between the two neighbouring countries was inaugurated in April 2019 connecting Banteay Meanchey province of Cambodia to Sa Kaeo province of Thailand. The checkpoint facility will open up opportunities for international cooperation, investment, cross-border trade, job creation and tourism which will improve the living standards of local people as well as both countries’ economies. Ministry spokesman Vasim Sorya said the facilities that will serve as administration at the border are still under construction, which was delayed due to the pandemic. The facilities are on Cambodia’s side at the border checkpoint and railway station in Poipet city. The two neighbouring countries are linked officially by rail tracks, but the movement of goods and people’s travel has not started. “The construction is underway. Cambodia and Thailand have continued talks on the procedures of import and export,” Sorya said yesterday. Last year, the trade exchange between the two countries grew by 12 percent to $9.4 billion. Construction was originally planned to take 24 months to complete. The project worth over $26 million, financed with a loan from the Thai government, is being developed by CM Grand Development Co Ltd and Tan Kim Eng Co Ltd.