A total of 135 sets of school supplies are awarded to outstanding students at Betrang Friendship School on April 3 by Sihanoukville SEZ. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Sihanoukville special economic zone (SEZ), jointly developed by Wuxi-based garment giant Hodo Group and Cambodia International Investment Development Group, has made efforts to help poor people in Cambodia.

Cao Jianjiang, general manager of Sihanoukville SEZ, awarded a total of 135 sets of school supplies to outstanding students at Betrang Friendship School on April 3.

Sihanoukville province, Jiangsu province and Wuxi city reached an agreement to use the Sihanoukville SEZ to promote education in Sihanoukville in 2017, using the dilapidated Betrang School as a pilot school for the project.

The Jiangsu Provincial Government assisted the school in building classrooms and donated sports equipment, while the Wuxi Municipal Bureau of Education donated 1,200 sets of new clothes to the school.

Betrang Friendship School has become a significant part of cultural and educational exchanges between China and Cambodia, with the Sihanoukville SEZ serving as an important intermediary.

Betrang Friendship School has been rejuvenated through the efforts of Sihanoukville province, Jiangsu province and Wuxi city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Sihanoukville SEZ will continue to improve school conditions and cultivate talents to help build a better Cambodia," said Cao Jianjiang.

As the first of its kind, the Sihanoukville SEZ was developed through an intergovernmental agreement and bilateral coordination mechanisms between China and Cambodia.

Covering about 11 square kilometers, the SEZ has attracted 121 companies, among which 104 are Chinese, five are Cambodian, and the rest are from developed markets such as the United States and Japan.

The companies specialize primarily in industries such as textiles, garments, machinery, electronics, leather products and wooden flooring.

The Sihanoukville SEZ will also take advantage of opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's industrial development plan for 2015-25. More projects will be introduced to form a complete industrial chain and enhance the competitiveness of the SEZ.