The government has established a commission to supervise the development of a $1.5bn airport that will serve the capital. The group has been tasked with ensuring that the land is ready for the development and deal with eventualities in connection to the land, as well as with monitoring and supervising the construction process. Helmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management Chea Sophara and the Minister of Aviation Mao Havanal, the commission will be composed of officials from the Council of Development of Cambodia (CDC), the Council of Ministers, and the ministries of Interior, National Defense, Economy and Finance, Agriculture, Industry, Water Resources, Mines and Energy, and Public Works, as well as the governors of Kandal and Takeo provinces. Last year, the government said the project, a 4F-class airport, will cost $1.5bn, with $1.11bn coming in the form of loans from overseas banking institutions and $280mn provided by local conglomerate Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). The remaining $120mn will come from government coffers. (Source: Khmer Times)