Phnom Penh, November 30, 2023 --The FinTech industry has been given the opportunity to play a significant role in promoting financial inclusion in Cambodia, said H.E. Mrs. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC).She made the remarks in CamTech Summit 2023 held at the Centre for Banking Studies, Phnom Penh on Nov. 30.The summit was organised by the NBC in collaboration with the Cambodia Association of Finance and Technology around the theme: "Forging Partnerships: Fostering Collaboration and Innovation for Digital Financial Services in Mekong and Beyond."The CamTech Summit is a unique opportunity to provide an integrated platform for policymakers, regulators, businesses and Tech players from various sectors to discuss the recent advancement of technologies both in Cambodia and globally, the opportunities and challenges they provide, and their growing importance in shaping the Cambodian economy in the digital era especially in the context of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.“This platform will promote awareness, coordination, exchanging of views, knowledge and experience among all stakeholders and enable policymakers and regulators to gather input for better design of appropriate policies and regulations to cope with fast-evolving technology, and especially prepare Cambodia for the transition towards a digital economy and moving from a middle income to an upper middle-income country,” she said.In partnership with and in support of the private sector, the NBC has been at the forefront of this trend, leveraging new technologies to modernise payment systems by introducing a range of innovative solutions - the most prominent being our Bakong backbone for payment systems to enhance interoperability, promote financial inclusion, and facilitate the ease of using the Cambodian Riel, she said.While the offer of digital financial services has kept growing over the years, especially since it enabled the financial sector to demonstrate its resilience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the FinTech industry has been given the opportunity to play a significant role in promoting financial inclusion, provided a number of challenges be addressed, NBC Governor said, adding that such challenges include digital literacy especially in the rural areas; cybersecurity risks; data privacy and data protection.The NBC is committed to further supporting FinTech adoption, innovation and fair and transparent competition as reflected in its FinTech Development Roadmap (FDR) 2020-2025 in alignment with the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Strategy (FSDS) 2016-2025, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2019-2025 and Digital Economy and Society Framework by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).
Phnom Penh, November 16, 2023 --The Royal Government of Cambodia is further expanding public transport, firming up a subway network, and increasing air routes.Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet shared the plans when presiding over the official inauguration of the Twin Dragon Bridge connecting National Road 1 to Koh Norea development area and the cable-stayed concrete bridge connecting Koh Norea to Koh Pich satellite city in Phnom Penh in the afternoon of Nov. 15.Promoting public transportation means and infrastructure is a top priority of the Royal Government of Cambodia to ease mobility and expand key cities.With a green approach centred around the reduction of emissions and environmental conservation, the endeavour will serve as a backbone and accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth.The Royal Government of the 7th legislature of National Assembly is focusing on five key priorities: people, roads, water, electricity, and technology.
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2023 --The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, on Nov. 29, hosted a media tour for a cashew production chain in three capital and provinces of Cambodia.Attended by 30 journalists from various Cambodian media institutions, the tour, supported by the European Union, aimed to engage the media in promoting Cambodia's priority commercial agro-industrial crops with market expansion and more exports, according to Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries H.E. Touch Bun Hour.Cashew is Cambodia's second-priority crop after rice because it is easy to grow, requires less water, and is more climate-resilient compared to other crops, he added.Based on surveys, 2.38 million hectares of Cambodia's land are suitable for growing cashew, which is now commonly grown in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Thbong Khmum, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Kampong Chhnang.In the first nine months of 2023, Cambodia exported over 380,000 tonnes of fresh cashew nuts to China, Japan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand.About 156 tonnes of processed cashew nuts were exported to China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, and the United States.The average price of fresh cashew nuts is between US$1,700 and US$1,900 per tonne, and the average annual harvest is between 600,000 and 800,000 tonnes.
Home National News International News Business News Sports News Photo Stories Opinion Documentary Border Issue NovelsAnother Dead Case of Avian Influenza Recorded Share to ៖ AKP Phnom Penh, October 09, 2023 --Another dead case of H5N1 avian influenza has been found on a two-year old girl living in Chmar Lot village, South Snong commune, Kamchay Mear district, Prey Veng province, according to an announcement of the Ministry of Health released tonight.The little girl was confirmed positive for H5N1 on Oct. 9 by the National Institute of Public Health, the source pointed out.This is the 3rd case of H5N1 this year, and the 59th person to be infected with the virus in Cambodia since 2005, of them 40 lost their lives, it added.The Ministry of Health’s Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at the national and sub-national levels have been working to investigate the causes of transmission on both animals and humans and implement control measures as well as distribute Tamiflu to those who came in close contacts.H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or “bird flu”). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person.`
If current trends continue, the number of Americans under 20 who have type 2 diabetes might rise to about 675% by 2060, while the number of young people with type 1 diabetes could rise to 65%.In the US, type 2 diabetes—in which the body doesn't use insulin as it should—has “substantially increased” in this age group over the past 20 years, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin, is more common in young people.The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth research, which is supported by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health, provided the data for the new study, which was published this month in the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care.The researchers discovered that the number of young individuals with either form of diabetes would increase by 12%, from 213,000 to 239,000, assuming incidence rates from 2017 remained constant over the ensuing decades. But if the rate of occurrence keeps growing as it did from 2002 to 2017, 526,000 adolescents could get diabetes by the year 2060.According to the study, there is a greater likelihood of type 2 diabetes among young people who identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or Alaska Native than white people.According to the CDC, there are a number of possible reasons for the notable rise in type 2 diabetes rates that are predicted, including the prevalence of diabetes in individuals who are childbearing age and rising rates of childhood obesity.Diabetes effects include nerve damage, issues with vision and hearing, heart disease, renal disease, and early death. The researchers emphasize that young people may require earlier medical attention because the condition may progress more quickly in them than in adults. This could therefore raise demand on the US healthcare systems and drive up the cost of care.We should all take this new information as a wake-up call. Dr. Debra Houry, acting principal deputy director of the CDC, stated in a statement that "it's critical that we focus our efforts to ensure all Americans, especially our young people, are the healthiest they can be."The results were deemed "alarming" by Christopher Holliday, the director of the organization's Division of Diabetes Translation."The alarming estimates of type 2 diabetes increases in this study highlight the need to improve health equity and lessen the pervasive inequalities that already have a negative impact on people's health," the study's author stated in a statement.
Phnom Penh, October 11, 2023 --China continues to support Cambodia with long-term training and sports materials for its hosting of the 5th Asian Youth Games in 2029.The support was revealed by H.E. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) at Phnom Penh International Airport on Oct. 9 after the arrival of Cambodian sports delegation from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China.H.E. Vath Chamroeun continued that his committee sought support during its participation in the 19th Asian Games.The committee will select the best Cambodian athletes, including Cambodian runners, to get trained in China, said the secretary of state.So far, China has contributed to building Morodok Techo National Stadium worth over US$150 million to enable Cambodia to host international sports events, including the 32rd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games 2023, held in May and June.China has also been supporting 160 Cambodian athletes with long-term training in 12 kinds of sports.
Phnom Penh, November 16, 2023 --The General Department of Taxation (GDT) has collected US$3,06 billion as tax revenue in the first ten months of 2023.The figure was released on Nov. 15 in a monthly meeting chaired by H.E. Kong Vibol, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and GDT’s Director General.“The tax income collection in the ten-month period equals to 85.8 percent of the yearly budget plan,” H.E Kong Vibol said.In October alone, GDT generated some US$260 million from tax collection, he added, lauding the joint efforts of officials in collecting tax income efficiency.Modernisation has resulted in better rate of registration, improvement in taxpayer services and filing of tax returns in addition to the expansion of data storing facilities among other things, he said.The country has two institutions responsible for collecting taxes. One is the General Department of Taxation (GDT), which focuses on interior taxes such as income tax, salary tax, value added tax, and property tax, and the other is the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), which collects taxes on goods entering and leaving the country.
Phnom Penh, November 05, 2023 --The two-day examination of Grade 12 high school students kicked off today nationwide with a total 137,412 candidates.The official opening of the national examination was held at Preah Sisowath High School, in Phnom Penh in the presence of H.E. Hang Chuoun Naron, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports.The Grade 12 students will sit for the exam subjects of earth and environment, geography, history, biology, foreign language, Khmer literature, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and morality-civics.Phnom Penh and Kandal province results are expected to be announced on Nov. 28, while the remaining provinces the following day.The exam is a prerequisite for high school graduates to pursue their studies at the university level.Last year, 90,950, or 72.33 percent of the total 125,735 candidates got their baccalaureate passed their high school exam.
Phnom Penh, December 01, 2023 --"The Taste of Angkor", a cookbook published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAFIC) as part of its culinary diplomacy, has won the Best Television Awards in this year's World of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.The event was held on Nov. 27-29 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with the Saudi Feast Food Festival, said the MFAIC in a press release AKP received this morning.In 2021 and 2022, the book won the Best Asian Cuisine Book and the Best Heads of State/Food from Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.“This year's award reflects the Ministry's policy of promoting authentic Cambodian foods. It is a source of pride for efforts to get the world to appreciate the great legacy of a thousand-year-old culinary heritage,” the ministry underlined.According to the MFAIC, the Best Television Awards for 2023 went to cooking videos of seven dishes and two desserts from "The Taste of Angkor. The ministry's National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations produced the videos during culinary diplomacy training for Cambodian diplomats and their spouses. The training aims to help diplomatic missions abroad understand Cambodian cuisine, how to cook authentic foods, explain their history and promote Khmer foods and culture to attract foreign tourists and investment, and expand exports of Cambodian agricultural products.Culinary diplomacy is a cornerstone of the Ministry's Economic Diplomacy Strategy launched in 2021. The strategy aims to enhance Cambodia's international standing and contribute to achieving the Royal Government's vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050.Gourmand World Cookbook Awards was founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau with the goal of supporting culinary traditions from around the world.
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2023 --There is possibility to build at least two hydropower dams along the Mekong river in Cambodia, but the Royal Government will not do so.While presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Stung Tatai Leu Hydropower Dam of 150 megawatts in Thmar Baing district of Koh Kong province this morning, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, announced that Cambodia will not build any hydropower dam on the Mekong River, even though there are a lot of benefits for the country's socio-economic development.“The 7th-mandate Royal Government will not build dams on the Mekong River, no matter what the benefits are,” he underlined.There are a total of 11 projects planned, of which seven in Lao PDR, two in Cambodia, and two across the Lao-Thai border.The Mekong River Commission (MRC) pointed out that of the above-mentioned projects, two – Xaiyaburi and Don Sahong - have become operational and four more have been notified to the MRC for Prior Consultation Process.MRC said hydropower development in the Lower Mekong River (LMB) brings both positive and negative consequences.According to the MRC Council Study on the Sustainable Management and Development of the Mekong River Basin including Impacts of Mainstream Hydropower Projects, the LMB could see economic gains from full hydropower development of more than US$160 billion by 2040. Development of hydropower brings synergies with other water related sectors as well, including expanding irrigation that is key to food security, provides access to electricity that is key to poverty reduction, contributes to navigation that enhances regional trade, and provides flood management and drought relief that is important part of adapting to climate change.But those benefits come with potential costs. The decline of fisheries could cost nearly US$23 billion by 2040. The loss of forests, wetlands, and mangroves may cost up to US$145 billion. With further reduction of sediment due to dams and sand mining, rice growth along the Mekong will be severely curtailed. Fish farms, irrigation schemes, and expanding agriculture could offset these losses, although with uneven results between countries.