PHNOM PENH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A French-financed company will invest 250 million U.S. dollars to develop the Ream area in Cambodia's port city of Sihanoukville into a resort, according to Ieng Sophallet, assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen, here Friday.

Alain Dupuis, French citizen and director of the Ream Resort Development Company, met with Hun Sen here Thursday to find support from the government for his project, he added.

Khmer-language newspaper the Rsamei Kampuchea Friday quoted Alain as telling the premier that his company will construct five-star hotels, other accommodation facilities, golf course, leisure places along the beach and motor-boat sporting project for tourists in the Ream region.

The premier welcomed the investment and requested the company to work with the Council for Development of Cambodia to achieve success, it added.

Construction of the project will start in late 2008 and be finished in 2010.

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's major sight-seeing destination. Sandy beach and clean sea used to attract tens of thousands of travelers annually.