Cambodia, Japan Discuss Special Economic Zone Establishment
Phnom Penh, December 26, 2023 --Inter-ministries and a Japanese delegation have discussed a study project on the establishment of Cambodia-Japan Special Economic Zone, aimed to encourage more Japanese investors to invest in Cambodia.The discussion took place here on Dec. 25 between H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and the delegation from Japan led by H.E. UENO Atsushi, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia.The meeting was attended by H.E. Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, H.E. Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, officials of relevant ministries and agencies and representatives of JICA Cambodia Office.The meeting focused on two major topics, including the expansion of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port to become a regional port, and the study and preparation of Cambodia-Japan Special Economic Zone, which will attract more Japanese investors to invest in Cambodia.Besides, the meeting also touched on the Comprehensive Intermodal Transport and Logistics Masterplan (CIT-MP) 2023-2033, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Supreme National Economic Council, with the support of key development partners.This master plan is designed by combining seven main master plans to be interconnected and to facilitate the transport of goods, passengers, and services within the country, the region, and the world.
IAEA Finds Cambodia’s Progress in Nuclear Security Arrangements, Encourages Continued Improvement
Phnom Penh, December 25, 2023 --Cambodia has seen progress in nuclear security arrangements, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), encouraging the Kingdom to further improve its legal and regulatory framework.The IAEA made the evaluation at the end of its advisory service mission to Cambodia focused on assessing the country's nuclear security regime for nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control (MORC). The team also identified several examples of good practice.According to the IAEA’s press release issued late last week, the mission, carried out at the request of the Royal Government of Cambodia, took place from Dec. 11 to 22 and involved a team of nine international experts from Finland, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, Pakistan, the United States of America, Viet Nam and the IAEA. It is the second mission of this kind to Cambodia.International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) missions aim to help States to better prevent, detect and respond to criminal and intentional unauthorised acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material, known as MORC, which is lost, missing, stolen, improperly disposed of, or not adequately stored or handled.The mission aimed to review the current state of nuclear security in relation to MORC in Cambodia and provide recommendations on how to strengthen it in accordance with international guidance and best practices.The team conducted a series of meetings with officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the General Department of Customs and Excise, the Secretariat of the National Counter Terrorism Committee, and the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical, Nuclear, Biological and Radiological Weapons (NACW).The INSServ team visited the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP), the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) and the Phnom Penh International Airport (PPIA) to assess the detection and response measures in place. The team also went to the NACW Institute of Explore and Experiment on Substance in Kampong Chhnang province."Cambodia established a solid basis for a comprehensive nuclear security regime," said Team Leader Khammar Mrabit, former Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security and member of the Moroccan Parliament. "We welcome Cambodia's cooperation in this mission and hope our recommendations and suggestions will be helpful for further improvements."The team said that Cambodia had implemented many elements of a legal and regulatory framework related to MORC. Still, it recommended the country to establish a national nuclear law and ratify the Amendment of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Further recommendations include the establishment of national infrastructure to support sustainable training to enhance Cambodia's existing detection and response capabilities.Several good practices were identified, including the categorisation of offences in the country’s legal framework, the radiation detection scan of all import and export cargo containers at PPAP and PAS, the use of the IAEA mobile app TRACE (Tool for Radiational Alarm and Commodity Evaluation), as well as the establishment of knowledge management and professional development measures for the staff with nuclear security detection responsibilities."We are ready to provide continued support to Cambodia as they implement the IAEA INSServ mission recommendations and suggestions to enhance the nuclear security detection and response systems and measures relevant to MORC," said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security.The IAEA's INSServ mission is part of its ongoing efforts to assist Member States in strengthening their nuclear security regimes in relation to MORC. The Agency provides a range of services in this area, including expert advice, training, and equipment support, to help Member States protect against criminal or intentional unauthorised acts involving such materials."This second INSServ mission will assist us in the upgrade of Cambodia's nuclear security regime by taking into account the international practice and expertise," said H.E. Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy. "We firmly believe that no single nation can address the complex challenges of nuclear security in isolation. A secure world starts by cooperation of all countries, relevant agencies and individuals. "The draft findings and recommendations were presented to the Royal Government of Cambodia, and the final report will be presented in about three months.
MOC: Cambodia exports total goods worth 20 billion US dollars, up 4.08% compared to the first 11 months of 2022
"Total exports were over 21,992 million US dollars, an increase of 4.08% compared to the first 11 months of 2022," said Cham Nimmol. The Minister of Commerce of Cambodia made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the meeting to summarize the business results of 2023 and raise the work direction for 2024 under the presidency of Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, on the afternoon of December 22, 2023. "The RCEP market is an important market for Cambodia, accounting for about 61.06% of Cambodia's total trade volume," she said. "The revenue collected in the first 11 months of 2023 is more than 53.578 million riels (equivalent to 102.09% of the budget law)," she said. The total expenditure in the first 11 months of 2023 was more than 90669 trillion riels (equivalent to 87.72% of the budget loans provided). She also said that the international trade volume in the first 11 months of 2023 was more than 43.51 billion US dollars, of which total exports were more than 21.992 million US dollars, an increase of 4.08% compared to the 11 months of exports in 2022.
Cambodia to Continue Active Participation in ICAPP
Phnom Penh, December 14, 2023 --The Royal Government of Cambodia will continue to actively participate in the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) to achieve a common mission for a peaceful and prosperous Asia.The commitment was reaffirmed by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, while receiving a courtesy visit from H.E. Chung Eui-yong, Chairperson of the ICAPP Standing Committee and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh this morning.Samdech Thipadei also thanked ICAPP for supporting Cambodia's democratic process, as well as for sending observers to participate in the Cambodian election process in the past until the seventh mandate. ICAPP’s presence and statements on the realities of the practice of democracy in Cambodia really contribute to defending the legitimacy, justice and sovereignty of Cambodia's elections, he underlined.For his part, H.E. Chung Eui-yong informed the Cambodian Premier about key activities of ICAPP in promoting the cooperation and exchange of views between political parties in Asia.He expressed his conviction that under the wise leadership of Samdech Thipadei, Cambodia will continue its development even stronger towards achieving its 2050 vision.H.E. Chung Eui-yong wished Cambodia more success in hosting the 12th ICAPP General Assembly, the 3rd Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Meeting, and related meetings in November 2024.
Cambodian PM Supports Japan’s Initiatives at AZEC
Phnom Penh, December 18, 2023 --Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has expressed his full support to Japan’s initiatives raised in the Asia Zero Emission Community Leaders’ Meeting (AZEC) in Tokyo on Dec. 18.The support was affirmed during the bilateral meeting between the Cambodian Premier and his Japanese counterpart H.E. Kishida Fumio this afternoon, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet added that besides the initiatives related to the AZEC, Cambodia supports three other initiatives, including Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations, Partners for Co-creation of Economy and Society, and Partners for Peace and Stability. Regarding the Cambodia-Japan relationship, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet outlined a number of cooperation directions to further strengthen the relations between the two countries in the fields of defence and security; trade and investment; infrastructure; and direct flight resumption between Cambodia and Japan.For his part, H.E. Kishida Fumio thanked Samdech Thipadei for his participation in the two summits and pledged to continue to work with Cambodia to attain new achievements for the common interest of both Cambodians and Japanese.Following their bilateral talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of exchanges of notes on Japanese grant aid for three projects related to hydrography, water supply, and e-government as well as other cooperation documents in the fields of digital, banking and energy.The signed cooperation documents include 1- The National Data Centre Development Project to Promote e-Government; 2- The Development Project of Digital Water Supply Management System in Urban Area; 3- The Project to Request a Ship for Hydrological Measurement for the Production of Electronic Navigation Maps; 4- Joint Minutes between the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan on the Cooperation for Digital Economic and Social Development in Cambodia; 5- The Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Bank of Cambodia and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan on Cross-Border Payment Cooperation via QR Code; 6- The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Mines and Energy and Minebea Mitsumi and SchneiTec on the Cooperation in Solar Energy Project; and 7- the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Mines and Energy and erex Co., Ltd. and SPHP (Cambodia) on cooperation on biomass energy project.Cambodia and Japan mark this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties, and 2023 is also the year their relations were upgraded to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.
Cambodia, Japan to Continue Fostering Defence Cooperation
Phnom Penh, December 16, 2023 --Cambodia and Japan have vowed to continue to strengthen and expand their cooperation in the field of national defence, especially in mine clearance, joint exercises in disaster relief, human resource training, and study tour programmes for Cambodian military trainees in Japan.The commitment was reaffirmed by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff for Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF), during their courtesy meeting in Tokyo this morning, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.H.E. Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida expressed his gratitude to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the warm hospitality to him and the JSDF delegation during their official visit to Cambodia in February 2023, and pledged to further tighten the friendship and cooperation between the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and JSDF.In 1991, Cambodia was a country that received UN peacekeepers, but now the Kingdom has sent its blue helmet troops to fulfill peacekeeping missions under the UN umbrella in various countries, particularly in the field of demining and humanitarian aid, he said, stressing that this is a good lesson and experience that can be learned from Cambodia.For his part, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet recalled that during his tenure as Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, he himself had enhanced the relations between the two countries' Armed Forces, leading to the signing of a TOR aiming to bring their friendship to a higher level, especially to promote practical cooperation activities to be active and vibrant with a long future.
10th Cambodia Book Fair Begins
Phnom Penh, December 15, 2023 --Cambodia kick-started its national book fair 2023 on Dec. 14 at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre, at the heart of Phnom Penh.Addressing the official opening of the 10th Cambodia Book Fair, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron emphasised that reading is the foundation of learning that must be cultivated from a young age.He thanked the working group of the Cambodia Book Fair organising committee, students, writers, publishers, national and international organisations, and all sponsors that dedicate their time and energy to supporting the fair, which gets more popular from year to year.Themed “Master in Writing, Grow in Reading, Rise in Knowledge,” the four-day book fair features around 300 booths with tens of thousands of reading materials.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn Receives President of China Institute of Reform and Development and Delegation of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat
Phnom Penh, December 14, 2023 --H.E Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, met with Mr. Chi Fulin, President of the China Institute for Reform and Development, on the morning of December 13, 2023, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.The two sides exchanged views on ways to further strengthen ASEAN-China economic and trade cooperation, especially within the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), as well as regional cooperation of Blue economy.In the afternoon, H.E Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, received a delegation from the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat (CAEXPO) led by Dr. WEI Zhaohui, Secretary-General.Both sides exchanged views on the 21st CAEXPO in September 2024, especially as 2024 was chosen as the year of people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and China.In the evening of December 13, 2023, at the official residence of the Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, H.E Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, attended the unveiling ceremony of the new ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership.
Cambodia remains committed to working more closely with UN human rights mechanisms
Phnom Penh, December 13, 2023 --A senior official of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee said that Cambodia remained committed to working more closely with the United Nation Human Rights Mechanism.Speaking on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 11, Senior Minister Keo Remy, Chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, said that in the spirit of universal and inalienable human rights, Cambodia remained committed to working more closely with the United Nation Human Rights Mechanism.The Senior Minister further said Cambodia had welcomed the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and has accepted the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia since1993, while Cambodia is also a party to eight of the nine core international human rights treaties.He added that the new Royal Government has set out the first phase pentagonal Strategic Policy, in which "strengthening social protection" has been considered a priority. Cambodia would focus on expanding health care services to cover 9 million people, providing vocational training to 1.5 million young people from poor families, expanding internet services to commune offices, schools and health centers from 2024 and the supply of electricity to all villages before 2030.
Renowned Former Singapore FM Discusses ASEAN's Role in the Era of Multipolarity
Phnom Penh, December 08, 2023 --Visiting renowned former Singapore Foreign Minister, Mr. George Yeo, has given a special public lecture titled "Maintaining ASEAN's Balance in the Transition to a Multipolar World" at the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (NIDIR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC).According to the MFAIC, Mr. Yeo is a visiting scholar at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore and the Founding Patron of its Asia Competitiveness Institute. Mr. Yeo has held senior positions in both public and private sectors. He served 23 years (1988-2011) in the Singapore Government as Minister of Information and Arts, Trade and Industry, and Foreign Affairs.At the start of the lecture held on Dec. 6, the former veteran diplomat and politician of Singapore noted the tremendous progress Cambodia has achieved over the past decades, transforming itself from a war-torn into an economically vibrant country. These unprecedented achievements could not have occurred without peace and political stability.Former Minister Yeo went on to discuss the rise of China. He believes that China's rise will present an economic challenge to the West; however, it will not threaten any country. In addition to China's rise, poles of power in other continents have emerged. The rise of these poles will transform the world into a multi-polar system despite U.S. and Western resistance.ASEAN needs to secure its position in this great transformation. Within this context, former Minister contended that ASEAN must adapt and adjust to changing pressures from different directions. However, former Minister Yeo cautioned that it is imperative that ASEAN not pick a side in the great power rivalry. Furthermore, ASEAN needs to maintain its unity. The organisation should continue to maintain the ASEAN Way of resolving issues. The former Minister counseled that it would be counter-productive for the United States to pressure ASEAN Member States to pick sides. If the United States did not pressure and interfere in the affairs of ASEAN Member States, these states would welcome the United States' engagement in the region.Two hundred people from ministries, embassies, universities, think tanks, and news agencies attended the special lecture. Many attendees asked thoughtful questions that drew responses from Mr. Yeo, incorporating multiple examples from current events, world history, and civilisations.Mr. Yeo was scheduled to deliver another special lecture at the Royal University of Phnom Penh titled "Threats and Opportunities for Small Countries in a Multipolar World" on Dec. 7.
Cambodia, Ireland to Further Tighten Their Bilateral Ties
Phnom Penh, December 06, 2023 --Cambodia and Ireland are committed to further strengthening their bilateral and multilateral relations and cooperation.The unwavering commitment was reiterated here on Dec. 5 by H.E. KHUON Phon Rattanak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), and H.E. Ms. Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ireland to the Kingdom of Cambodia.According to the MFAIC, during the cordial meeting, H.E. KHUON Phon Rattanak expressed his deep gratitude to the Republic of Ireland for its invaluable assistance to Cambodia over the years, particularly in demining and education.H.E. Ms. Deirdre Ní Fhallúin reaffirmed the Irish Government's commitment to providing continued assistance to Cambodia in humanitarian demining and nutrition support through regional assistance.Both parties also exchanged insightful views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Cambodia, Laos to Boost Parliamentary Cooperation
Phnom Penh, December 04, 2023 -- Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic have vowed to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries' parliaments. The commitment was made in a meeting between H.E. Suos Yara, Chairman of the National Assembly Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Propaganda, and Information (5th Commission), and H.E. Sanya Praseuth, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on Dec. 3. H.E. Suos Yara and H.E. Sanya Praseuth spoke highly of their traditional relations and blossoming bilateral and multilateral cooperation, allowing the two to stand ready to support each other in both the regional and international arenas. The two parliaments will continue implementing and monitoring joint agreements and have appreciated the Cambodia-Laos exchange study and visits, particularly on culture, education, sports, and tourism cooperation.
Ministries Organize Media Tour to Promote Cashew Nut Production
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.
ASEAN’s Challenges and Opportunities Forum Held in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, November 26, 2023 --The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) organised a forum on "ASEAN Future: Challenges and Opportunities" at the Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh on Nov. 25 under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN and Mr. Puy Kea, CCJ President with the participation of more than 70 journalists from 51 institutions.In the forum, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn shared his views on “The Future of ASEAN: Challenges and Opportunities,” through a discussion with a group of Cambodian journalists.The ASEAN secretary-general also briefed the group on the latest developments in the region, including the important work of crafting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which is a long-term workplan shaping ASEAN’s strategic environment in the next 20 years.CCJ said the above topics were important for journalists to understand more about ASEAN's role, including ASEAN's solution to all challenges and world order in the face of superpower rivalry, particularly a road to "one community, one destiny" for economic prosperity.The forum was suited to regional and global situation, and was also an opportunity for journalists to learn more about ASEAN's role and future and provide a chance for journalists to ask questions related to the above topics to produce in-depth articles.
Rural Development Minister and German Ambassador Discuss Cooperation
Phnom Penh, November 18, 2023 --The Minister of Rural Development has received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia for a cooperation discussion.The minister, H.E. Chhay Rithi Sen, met with the ambassador, H.E. Stefan Messerer, at the ministry on Nov. 17.He walked the German diplomat through the ministry's priorities, guided by the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I.They include the expansion of rural road infrastructure and transport, better access to public services such as sanitation and hygiene in remote areas, and rural economic diversification through skills training and job creation for youths.Strengthening grassroots-level administrative services, sub-national institutional capacity building, and good governance is also the ministry's priority.H.E. Stefan Messerer spoke highly of the priorities as well as the overarching Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I and reaffirmed his commitment to support the ministry's rural development interventions.
Cambodian-Chinese Media Urged to Collaborate in Combating Fake News
Phnom Penh, November 17, 2023 --Minister of Information of Cambodia H.E. Neth Pheaktra has called on the Cambodian and Chinese journalists to work together to protect the integrity of international news by combating fake news and information interference in order to promote the building of a Community of Common Destiny for humanity.H.E. Minister made the appeal while he, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Wang Wentian and visiting H.E. Hu Jinjun, Vice President of China Media Group, were presiding over the Cambodia-China High-Level Media Forum and 3rd Cambodia-China Cultural Exchange Forum, jointly organised by Cambodia-China Friendship Radio (CCFR) and the Cambodian Ministry of Information, at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel this morning.H.E. Neth Pheaktra suggested China Central Radio and Television General Station, a leading international broadcasting body, strengthens cooperation with legal media organisations in Cambodia in various areas, such as technical innovation, human resource training, production and broadcasting and cultural exchange.Promotion of cultural exchange and integration between the two countries, as well as the broadcasting of achievements of cooperation and relations between the two peoples should be continued, he added.For his part, H.E. Wang Wentian laid stress on the key role played by medial, saying that it is an important element of people-to-people exchanges between Cambodia and China. Over the years, he continued, media has significantly contributed to the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields between both nations.H.E. Ambassador recalled the high-level meetings between the Cambodian and Chinese top leaders this year, during which the two sides agreed to promote the synchronisation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the “Pentagonal Strategy”, accelerate the “Diamond” cooperation framework, and establish the “Industrial Development Corridor” and "Fish and Rice Corridor" as well as create a high-quality, high-level and high-standards Cambodia-China Community of Common Destiny on the new era.This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Cambodia-China diplomatic ties, Cambodia-China Friendship Year, and the 10th anniversary of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
PM: Cambodian Constitution Prohibits Foreign Ownership of Land
Phnom Penh, November 15, 2023 --Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, reconfirmed here this afternoon that the country’s constitution does not allow any foreigners to become landowners, but they can rent land for a long period of time.Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony of a cable-stayed bridge connecting Koh Norea development area to Koh Pich satellite city, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said there have been some suggestions to the Royal Government to amend existing laws to authorise foreigners to own land, but they have been rejected.“That concept was proposed to facilitate the economy, but the Royal Government does not think that this proposal is necessary to help Cambodia’s real estate sector because the sector has progressed in the past 20 years despite the strict respect of our constitution,” he underlined.Anyway, the Premier added, Cambodia offers many favorable conditions to foreigners such as long-term lease for construction projects, while some foreigners seek Cambodian nationality, some others look for a Cambodian representative or set up a company to represent them locally.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said foreigners are allowed to rent a plot of land for a long period of time with legal procedures from 15 to 50 years.
Cambodia, Laos Vow to Promote Education Cooperation
Phnom Penh, November 16, 2023 --Cambodia and Laos have vowed to further promote their education cooperation, specifically the expansion of mutual scholarship provisions for students at both bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.The pledge was made in a meeting between H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports, and H.E. Buakeo Phumvongsay, Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Cambodia, here in Phnom Penh on Nov. 14.H.E. Hang Chuon Naron spoke highly of the Lao government's contribution to Cambodia's human resources development.The two sides also exchanged appreciation for intimate relations and good cooperation between the two countries in all sectors, particularly education, culture, tourism, and economy.From 2000 to 2023, Cambodia has provided scholarships to 192 Lao students, and since 1985, 244 Cambodian students have received Lao scholarships.
Technical Skills Training for Youth Encouraged
Phnom Penh, November 11, 2023 --The Minister of Labour and Vocational Training has called on young people to sign up for the technical skills training demanded by the current job market, particularly the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.The minister, H.E. Heng Sour, made the appeal at the National Career and Productivity Fair 2023 at Koh Pich Exhibition and Convention Centre in Phnom Penh on Nov. 10.Youth and workers have to develop their capacity and skills before applying for jobs at companies, factories, and enterprises to effectively and efficiently deliver their work, said the minister.He also underlined the ministry's initiative to provide training to employees and workers at night and during the weekends and to encourage factories and enterprises to allow their employees to get overseas skills training.The National Career and Productivity Fair 2023 kicked off yesterday with 188 booths from some 150 companies, enterprises, ministries, institutions and educational and training establishments by offering over 20,000 job opportunities.More than 30,000 people are expected to visit this year's National Career and Productivity Fair.Interested candidates can seek more details about job opportunities and submit their application for the job that interests them on site.The two-day event is organised by the National Employment Agency (NEA) of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training in cooperation with the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) in Phnom Penh, the Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC), with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the People in Need Cambodia Organisation, and Swiss Contact.
French Embassy Hosts an Exhibition of Aerial and Satellite Images of Cambodia
Phnom Penh, November 08, 2023 --To mark the 70th anniversary of Cambodia's independence, the French Embassy is presenting an exhibition looking back over 70 years of total 30 aerial and satellite images, selected by the Institute of Research and Development (IRD), according to the embassy’s press release AKP received this afternoon.These photographs dating from the 1950s to the present day. These aerial shots bear witness to the transformations of Cambodia's territory over the decades, offering a new perspective on the country's evolution.The exhibition will be on view from Nov. 8 on the walls of the French Embassy in Cambodia, Monivong boulevard, Phnom Penh.Active in Cambodia for almost 20 years, the IRD has set up in-depth academic and institutional partnerships with the country's key institutions to respond, through innovation and the development of new technologies, to the challenges of sustainable development such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution, food security linked to sustainable agriculture and global health in an approach that integrates the environment. Earth observation, based on the analysis of images acquired by sensors embarked on aircraft, satellites or drones, makes it possible to describe and monitor natural resources, their organisation and their changes. The IRD develops and uses digital tools and innovative models for image analysis, to obtain information on the evolution of landscapes.Since the first airborne images were taken in the 1950s, and then the first images from observation satellites in the 1980s, technologies have evolved enormously, with access today to a vast number of very high-resolution images. With the aim of developing Cambodia's capabilities in aerial and satellite image analysis and data access, the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and the IRD have joined forces to create the Khmer Earth Observation Laboratory (KHEOBS) in 2022. Supported by French institutions and infrastructure, the KHEOBS laboratory has already brought together scientists and students from various Cambodian universities and institutions for thematic training workshops.H.E. Jacques Pellet, Ambassador of France to Cambodia said KHEOBS is a laboratory of excellence that will train engineers and researchers and develop activities and projects using innovative Earth observation tools, both in Cambodia and at regional level. This project illustrates the quality of our scientific cooperation: few institutions in Cambodia had access to these technologies, he underlined.In the 1950s, France pioneered airborne photography with the Institut français de l'information géographique et forestière (IGNFI) to map its territories. In Cambodia, between 1952 and 1954, the IGNFI took some 11,000 shots, enabling a large part of the territory to be mapped. Today, this collection represents an exceptional archive that plunges us 70 years back into urban and rural landscapes. These archives are an invaluable resource on Cambodia's history, geography, archaeology, urban planning and environment. The French Embassy is supporting the "Khmer Aerial Photographic Archive" (KAPA) project, led by the IRD and the ITC within the framework of the KHEOBS laboratory, in collaboration with the IGNFI, so that it can be digitised and made accessible and usable free of charge for research. Once digitised, this photographic collection will be returned to Cambodia.From the 1980s onwards, satellite imagery for remote Earth observation and remote sensing was developed, notably by the French Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES). The IRD has played a major role in designing analysis methods, so that these images can be used to understand the evolution of territories by measuring and analysing urban, agricultural and forestry trends. Our ability to process large volumes of data means that these images can be used to monitor environmental and hydrological dynamics, and to set up warning systems.These images are supplemented by drone shots, which now make it easy to obtain highly accurate images repeatedly. New techniques for analyzing these images are being developed, making it possible to study soil evolution. These techniques offer Cambodia a wide range of applications to meet the challenges of environmental observation, in cooperation with various research organisations.As part of the 70th anniversary of independence, the French Embassy in Cambodia is also offering a rich cultural programme with a series of conferences and a film series at the French Institute of Cambodia, as well as an exhibition at the SOSORO Museum.