All Cambodian islands are being sold by Hun Sen himself

Cambodia gives green light to Aussie developer

June 17, 2008
by Meagan Kelly
Asia Property Report

Cambodia´s prime minister has given an Australian developer permission to build a $35 million luxury resort on two islands in the south of the country.

Brocon has received final approval to build two resorts on Koh Oeun and Koh Bong, 30 km off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The company has been waiting for consent from Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Council for the Development of Cambodia since July 2007.

The resorts will include 25 self-contained suites, three privately owned villas, a spa, wine cellar, gym and yoga retreat, and will meet rigorous environmental standards.

The expected completion date is 2010.

Australian company cements a place in Cambodia's island resort boom

Mon, 09 Jun 2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Australia's Brocon Group Ltd cemented its place in the island development boom off Cambodia's coast, earning formal government approval for its planned 35-million dollar luxury resort, CEO Rory Hunter said Monday. "From July 2007 we had an in-principle agreement, but we have now received official approval on a 99-year non-renewable lease from Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Council for Development of Cambodia so we can go full steam ahead," Hunter said by telephone.

He said the company hopes to break ground this year, although it may be early next year, and completion is scheduled for 2010.

The development on the twin Song Saa, or Sweetheart Islands, 29 kilometres off the south-west coast of Cambodia, is being billed as a place for "well-heeled adventure travelers" and will feature a spa, restaurant, pool and luxury accommodation.

"We have interests in a few other areas, but this is our labour of love at the moment," Hunter said. Brocon also renovates French colonial era apartments in the capital, 240 kilometres away, for sale and rent.

Established in 2005, Brocon is a small company with just nine full-time staff in its Phnom Penh office but has been a success story in Cambodia's rapidly expanding real estate market.

Hunter said the coastal islands off Sihanoukville show tremendous tourism potential, claiming the atmosphere is reminiscent of Thailand's now world famous beach resorts 30 years ago.