Cambodian PM Joins Other Leaders in the Opening Ceremony of 43rd ASEAN Summit
Phnom Penh, September 05, 2023 --Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and his spouse Lok Chumteav Pich Chanmony this morning attended the opening ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia.Today’s summit was opened under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".In his opening address, H.E. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia and ASEAN Chair for 2023, said ASEAN’s unity and equality remain important for the region. According to H.E. Joko Widodo, unity is the harmony in the region. Unity in ASEAN is well maintained, while equality in ASEAN is placed within the framework of unity and togetherness on the great ship of ASEAN forward.On the occasion, H.E. Joko Widodo presided over the soft launching of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC).He also presented the ASEAN Prize trophy to Haji Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, the Winner of 2022 and 2023 ASEAN Prize, in the presence of ASEAN Leaders and the diplomatic community.The ASEAN Prize is an annual regional premier award meant to honour the outstanding efforts rendered by ASEAN’s individuals and organisations to foster ASEAN community building.
Cambodia Reaffirms Its Stance in Favour of Multilateralism System
Phnom Penh, September 04, 2023 --Cambodia continues to be committed to the multilateral system, rule-based international order and principle of non-interference, in order to protect and promote peace both at home and in the world.The commitment was emphasised by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in his special remarks at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2023 organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in Jakarta, Indonesia this afternoon.“We will work closely with all ASEAN member states as well as private sectors to foster inclusivity, peace, and prosperity in the region and beyond. Cambodia stands ready to welcome all prospective investors to the Kingdom, where opportunities are abundant,” he underlined.According to the Cambodian Premier, ASEAN has become the fifth largest economy in the world. The success story of ASEAN has always been based on peaceful cooperation, with active and proactive participation from the private sector, as a pre-requisite for socio- economic and human development.By having peace as a core fundamental value, he added, ASEAN has forged stronger regional partnerships among its member states to enhance prosperity in the region and beyond. In this spirit, ASEAN must strive to strengthen its Unity and Centrality and advance the ASEAN Economic Community building process to sustain ASEAN as a region of critical importance and a major center of prosperity, which can be equally and inclusively shared.In the current regional and global context, to achieve common prosperity, it is imperative that the strengthening and the deepening of ASEAN Economic Integration further contribute to narrowing development gap within ASEAN itself, he said, stressing that the promotion of intra-ASEAN trade and investment, in particular, ought to be meaningful and leave no one behind.To realise this vision, he continued, ASEAN must strive in a concerted effort to secure a timely conclusion of a better, forward-looking, and more practical ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement upgrade. Equally important, ASEAN ought to fully and effectively utilise the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), while ensuring that the existing ASEAN Free Trade Agreements and economic cooperation with all ASEAN Dialogue Partners are still of critical importance and relevant for businesses and investors.Moreover, ASEAN should take full advantage of the change in economic architecture to become more resilient, by accelerating inclusive ASEAN digital transformation, enhancing the participation of MSMEs in the regional and global supply chains, and being more forward-looking and adaptive to emerging issues such as climate change, food security, pandemics and others, he said.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also mentioned about the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 of the Royal Government of Cambodia for the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly, which focuses on the development of the private sector, especially through the provision of incentives and protection in the framework of the Law on Investment and the Law on Public-Private Partnership, together with free-trade agreements, and bilateral and multilateral collaboration.
Cambodia, Indonesia Agree to Deepen Their Cooperation
Phnom Penh, September 04, 2023—The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Indonesia have agreed to continue to strengthen and expand their cooperation to be even closer.The agreement was made by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta this evening.The two leaders also discussed the past close cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, trade, human resource training and the fight against terrorism and cross-border crimes.H.E. Joko Widodo took the opportunity to congratulate Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Cambodia for the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly and conveyed a heartfelt greeting to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, as a close friend of him and of the Republic of Indonesia.For his part, Samdech Thipadei thanked the Indonesian president for the congratulations and greetings, and commended the warm hospitality of Indonesia as the host country of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
PM Hun Manet Leaves for 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta
Phnom Penh, September 04, 2023 --Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and his spouse departed here this morning for the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia from Sept. 4 to 7, 2023.This is the first foreign mission after Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet was approved by the National Assembly to be the Prime Minister of Cambodia on Aug. 22, 2023.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and his delegation were seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by deputy prime ministers, senior ministers and many other senior government officials.H.E. Jean-François Tain, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that for Cambodia, which has been an ASEAN Member State since 1999, these summits are some of the most important annual events. For the new Head of Government of Cambodia, they represent a great political opportunity for several reasons.First, this is the first time that Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet will officially be on the international stage in his full capacity as the new Prime Minister of Cambodia – which he has been since Aug. 22, 2023.Second, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet will be the youngest attendee among the Heads of State/Government of the 10 ASEAN Member States on Sept. 5 in Jakarta, Indonesia.Last but not least, from Sept. 5 to 7, during these two days in Jakarta, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet will shake hands with, and officially and unofficially meet at least 17 Heads of State/Government and Senior Leaders from Southeast Asian countries, China, Japan, South Korea, India, the United States of America, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand.According to Antara, at least 22 countries and nine international organisations will join the series of meetings of ASEAN.In addition to ASEAN member countries including Timor-Leste, nine dialogue partners and East Asia Summit member countries will participate in the high-level conference, viz. South Korea, Japan, India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, and the United States.
Participation of Pagodas in Conservation of Angkor Park Promoted
Phnom Penh, September 01, 2023 --The APSARA National Authority organised a workshop on "Pagodas in Angkor Park and other pagodas in the area under the management of the APSARA National Authority'' at Reach Bo pagoda in Siem Reap provincial city on Sept. 1.According to the APSARA National Authority, the event is aimed to cultivate love, care, and conservation of Angkor Park, which is a World Heritage Site through the participation of pagodas.This workshop was presided over by Samdech Preah Brahma Rattanamony Sereysovano Pin Sem, Chief Monk of Reach Bo pagoda, H.E. Norak Rattanawatno, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Cults and Religious Affairs, and H.E. Dr. Hang Peou, Director General of APSARA National Authority, with the participation of about 200 people who are representatives from 61 pagodas in Angkor Park and other pagodas in the area controlled by APSARA National Authority and the pagoda committees.The workshop also included a presentation on "Pagodas in Angkor Park and other pagodas in the area under the management of the APSARA National Authority'' and the advice of Samdech Preah Brahma Rattanamony Sereysovano Pin Sem.In the afternoon, the participants will join a field visit to Wat Po Pei Deum, Wat Kork Talon, Wat Angkor Khang Tbong, and Wat Ta Prohm Meanchey.
Former PM Receives Samdech Hun Sen School Complex Management
Phnom Penh, September 01, 2023 --Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received at his residence in Takhmao town, Kandal province this morning the management of Complexe scolaire Samdech Hun Sen (Samdech Hun Sen School Complex) in Bamako, Mali, led by its Founding Executive Director Ms. Eva Mysliwiec.In the courtesy meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, current President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, expressed his satisfaction with the good management of the school, which has been able to cover all its operating expenses since 2018, making it among the top five schools in Mali.Samdech Techo Hun Sen also encouraged the school management to continue their efforts to ensure the school’s sustainability.On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced to provide the school with 70 scholarships for 10 years (2023-2033), including 40 for primary school students and 30 for secondary school students.In reply, the school management delegation expressed their gratitude on behalf of all Malian children of the Samdech Hun Sen School Complex for his precious contribution to the education sector of Mali.Samdech Hun Sen School Complex in Bamako was established in 2013 with the support of Samdech Techo, Ms. Eva Mysliwiec and a Malian partner in the framework of strengthening solidarity between the two countries in the Francophone family as well as in the framework of developing countries and South-South Cooperation.
PM Encourages Informal Workers to Enter Formal Economy
Phnom Penh, September 01, 2023 --H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, this morning encouraged all the informal workers and enterprises to participate in the formal economy.While holding a get-together with some 18,000 workers and employees in Takhmao town, Kandal province, H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit advised the government’s institutions to facilitate this transition to the formal economy of workers and enterprises.The Premier affirmed that the Royal Government does not force them, but will encourage them and allow them to register.To achieve this, he continued, relevant institutions need to facilitate and take into account some principles, such as reducing the registration procedures and so on.“Our duty is not to bring in people and squeeze them, but to help them, and if we help them, they will help us,” he said.The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that as many as 93 percent of those who are employed in Cambodia are part of the informal economy.
The Public to Have Access to Free Bus Service during Pchum Ben Holiday
Phnom Penh, September 01, 2023 --The Phnom Penh Capital Hall have been instructed to provide free-of-charge public bus service in Phnom Penh and back and forth between the capital and provinces during the upcoming Pchum Ben Festival.The instruction was made by Prime Minister H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet at a get-together with some 18,000 workers and employees in Takhmao town, Kandal province this morning.This year, the Pchum Ben Festival, or the Festival for Dead, will fall on Oct. 13 to 15.Generally, during the three-day holiday, people return to their homeland, go to pagoda, travel to different tourism destinations, and join various entertainment activities.The Royal Government annually provides the free bus service to help reduce people's travel cost during the Pchum Ben Festival and Khmer Traditional New Year.
PM’s Cabinet Promoting Economic Pentagon Strategy on Social Media
PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Manet's economic blueprint, the Pentagon Strategy, replaces the government's prior Triangle and Rectangle Strategies. His father's Cabinet and the Asian Development Bank developed the strategy earlier this year in order to "further promote national pride (...) through building a strong, proactive, and prosperous nation (...) to become a high-income country by 2050."Delegated Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Jean-François Tain, supported the well reported Pentagon Strategy on his Facebook page this week, outlining some of its main themes but not going into much information about how the strategy's goals will be achieved. The strategy sets lofty targets such as lowering the poverty rate to 10%, reducing socioeconomic inequality, sustaining economic growth rates, and improving the social safety system by focusing on the most vulnerable.According to Tain, the initiative displays Prime Minister Hun Manet's administration's more socially oriented policy and compassion for society's most needy. According to him, the administration will "strive by all means and, in all capacities, to promote economic growth, create more jobs, promote social equity, and strengthen the quality of education and health care, particularly in remote areas."After 30 years with the media institution, Jean-François Tain quit as managing director of Radio France International (RFI) in Khmer in March and is now working under Cambodia's new prime minister.
Helping The Most Impoverished Is The Priority of H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Dr. Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia
Phnom Penh, August 31, 2023–Not many people pay close attention to the terms Triangle Strategy, Rectangular Strategy and, from now on, Pentagonal Strategy which is the roadmap of the new government led by the new Prime Minister, H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Dr. Hun Manet.In a nutshell, one can say that the current key accomplishments (sovereign and independent Cambodia, Cambodia in the regional and global integration, peace, lifting millions of Cambodians out of poverty if compared to the situation 25 years ago, etc.) were obtained through the implementation of the Triangle Strategy, the Rectangular Strategy, as well as the Win-Win Policy of Samdech Techo Hun Sen. In this connection, the Pentagonal Strategy is the third "code", in both principle and theory, leading Cambodia to a new stage of nation building.By 2050, this Pentagonal Strategy will have gone through five phases. The end- and long-term goal is to "further promote national pride (...) through building a strong, proactive, and prosperous nation (...) to become a high-income country by 2050."In this regard, the first phase is what the "new generation, new blood, and new energy" government under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Hun Manet has carried out for a short period of five to seven years. Among the key measures of the Pentagon Strategy-Phase I, caring "the most impoverished" is the top priority. In fact, as H.E. Dr. Prime Minister pointed out on 24 and 28 August 2023, the government will strive by all means and, in all capacities, to promote economic growth, create more jobs, promote social equity, strengthen quality of education and health care sector particularly in the remote areas. This not only demonstrates the more socially oriented policy of the government of H.E. Dr. Hun Manet, but also undeniably illustrates the compassion of this new head of government for the most impoverished in our society, such as workers, informal businessmen, and the people in the rural areas.At present, facing reeling national, regional and international economy, the government led by H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Dr. Hun Manet continues to roll out the goals of "reducing poverty rate to below 10%," narrowing down socio-economic inequality, maintaining economic growth rate, and concurrently enhancing the social protection system by especially taking care of the most impoverished. In order to achieve these goals and to continue to strive for greater accomplishments for our nation, optimism, confidence, and hope of each citizen along with the strong commitment of the government of H.E. Dr. Hun Manet are the most necessary.
Cambodia, EU to Continue Strengthening Cultural Collaboration
Phnom Penh, August 30, 2023 --Cambodia and the European Union (EU) welcomed all new initiatives aiming to further strengthen their collaboration on cultural sector, especially on the exchange of information and cultural promotion.The commitment was made in a farewell meeting here on Aug. 29 between H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and H.E. Mrs. Carmen Moreno, outgoing EU Ambassador to Cambodia.Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the achievements resulted from the cultural cooperation between the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and EU, including the organisation of annual events such as film festival, symphony orchestra, and beyond.H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona thanked the EU for its assistance to Cambodia, not only in the governmental, but also NGO framework, for example its support for Phare Ponleu Selpak organisation in Battambang province and other NGOs in rural culture and creative culture promotion, which is part of Cambodia's economic development.
MOWRAM Calls for Vigilance of Possible Accidents
Phnom Penh, August 30, 2023 --The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) has urged the public to be vigilant of possible accidents due to successive rainfall in the next few days.According to the ministry’s latest weather forecast released this morning, there would be continuous rainfall, from moderate to heavy, along with thunder, lightning and gusts, at the coastal areas, from Sept. 1 to 4.The public, particularly seafarers, are also advised to be careful of strong wind and high waves.For the temperature, during the period from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, it would vary between 23 to 34 degrees Celsius for central lowland areas, from 22 to 33 degrees Celsius for highland areas, and between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius for coastal regions, said MOWRAM in its announcement issued early this week.
Cambodia, Timor-Leste Discuss Tourism Cooperation Promotion
Phnom Penh, August 29, 2023 --Cambodia and Timor-Leste have discussed potential opportunities for collaboration in promoting tourism and facilitating travel for tourists between the two countries.The discussion took place between H.E. Sok Soken, Minister of Tourism and H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste here in Phnom Penh on Aug. 28.According to a press releases of the Ministry of Tourism, during the meeting, H.E. Sok Soken expressed his appreciation for the government of Timor-Leste's unwavering commitment to the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries since the time of Cambodian former Prime Minister, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and under the leadership of newly-appointed Prime Minister, H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet.The minister also expressed his readiness to work with Timor-Leste to organise tourism activities and exchange officials to enhance cooperation in the tourism industry.H.E. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay congratulated the Royal Government of Cambodia's recent election's success, expressed satisfaction over the good relations between the two countries, and highlighted the efforts made to strengthen and deepen the relations and cooperation between the two nations. Particularly, he also recalled the significance of the officials visit of Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Aug. 19-20, 2016 to Timor-Leste which opened up the path to many major areas of cooperation including tourism.The Timor-Leste DPM also reaffirmed the Timorese people's willingness to visit Cambodia and said that deepening tourism cooperation between the two countries is essential to realising the goal.The two sides expressed their commitment to further elevate tourism cooperation by expediting the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation between Cambodia and Timor-Leste, aiming to promote cultural and economic exchange, build stronger people-to-people connection, and foster greater mutual benefits and trust between the two countries.
Siem Reap TMPSP 2023-2026 Expects 7 Million Tourists
Phnom Penh, August 22, 2023 -- The Ministry of Tourism has recently launched the Siem Reap Tourism Marketing and Promotion Strategic Plan (TMPSP) for 2023-2026, expecting to attract seven million national and international tourists annually. The launch of Siem Reap TMPSP 2023-2026 is in line with the Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2021-2035, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The plan is aimed at putting forth promotion activities focusing on attracting short- and long-term tourists by proving them the best tourism package options. Twenty-one actions have been identified to achieve the mentioned target within the four-year period in order to receive at least four million national and three million international tourists a year by 2026.
International Institutions’ Congratulation Messages to NBC’s Governor Reflect Trust and Confidence to Cambodia’s Banking System
Phnom Penh, August 25, 2023 --H.E. Dr. Chea Serey receiving congratulation messages from international financial institutions and central banks over her appointment as Governor General of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), has reflected the trust and confidence that the national and international community have in her abilities, in further develop the Cambodian banking system and continue to enhance financial cooperation at both the regional and international levels.The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), and international payment technology companies such as Visa and Mastercard have all sent messages of support to H.E Dr. Chea Serey, who is the first Cambodian woman to be appointed to this important position."I am truly honoured to see a highly qualified woman leading the Central Bank in your country and I look forward to continuing the very good relations and collaboration between our institutions,” said European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde in a congratulatory message.The IMF’s executive director Yati Kurniati also expressed congratulations, saying that she "look forward to continuing the close cooperation with the National Bank of Cambodia” under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Chea Serey.In addition to these international institutions, the central banks of many countries, including the Central Bank of Luxembourg, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Korea, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, have also congratulated NBC’s governor.They have praised her outstanding leadership and clear vision for the future development of the Cambodian banking sector.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also reiterated its willingness to continue "close cooperation" with the NBC, while the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has praised Cambodia’s central bank chief’s many initiatives, calling them "invaluable" contributions to the growth of Cambodia's economy and the strengthening of regional financial cooperation.H.E. Dr. Chea Serey has also received congratulations and wishes from the Ministries, Institutions of the Royal Government, embassy and foreign missions in Cambodia, banking and financial institutions, associations in the financial sector, and many other institutions operating in Cambodia.She was appointed as NBC governor following her promotion to deputy governor from central bank director-general in March.She also organised the development of NBC’s Bakong interbank transaction system and a new generation of blockchain-driven payment solutions.She, 42, graduated with a Master's Degree in Banking from the SOAS University of London in Britain in 2010 and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in economics from the University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2021. She has worked at the NBC since 1999.Cambodia’s banking industry’s outstanding loans rose by 21.7 percent year-on-year to US$56 billion as of last year, while customers’ deposits increased by 15.3 percent to US$45 billion, the central bank’s report said.The country has 58 commercial banks, nine specialised banks, and 86 microfinance institutions, with a total of 2,614 headquarters and branches as well as 3,998 ATMs.
Equity Card Holders' Living Improved Under Poor Identification Programme
Phnom Penh August 24, 2023 --The Poor Identification Programme has played a key role in supporting the lives of poor people and contributing to the government’s programme of eradicating poverty in the country. One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Prach Sineth, a resident of Mittapheap village in Sangkat Prek Eng of Phnom Penh thanked the Royal Government of Cambodia for the equity card, which is unloading her family's financial burden. "With the equity card, I am able to access medical services provided without any discrimination," she said. Another beneficiary in Chong Prek I village of the same Sangkat Mr. Vichet Saroeun echoed the feedback."We get free medical checkups at public hospitals and are given a monthly allowance, thanks to the Poor Identification Programme," he added. The Identification of Poor Households Programme (IDPoor) serves as a social registry of poor and vulnerable households, a component of a comprehensive social protection system. Securing a social safety net for economically vulnerable people and universal access to health care are the top priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia. Families eligible for the IDPoor programme are mainly those with member(s) who have a serious illness or disability, without a breadwinner, affected by a natural disaster, with member(s) infected with HIV, and with migrating members, and so on.
More World Leaders Congratulate Cambodian New PM
Phnom Penh August 25, 2023 --Prime Minister of India H.E. Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet on his assumption of office as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and pledged to collaborate with him to further deepen the relationship between the two countries.“Congratulations H.E. Dr. Hun Manet on assuming charge as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. I look forward to working closely with you for further elevating our friendly historical ties,” he tweeted on Aug. 24.For his part, H.E. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Timor-Leste spoke highly of H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet’s leadership's prospects which brings further development and more achievements to Cambodia and the prosperity of Cambodian people.“I recalled our meeting in October last year in Phnom Penh and I was proud to learn of your visions and expectations for the development of Cambodia and the region. Your intellectual, your military experience as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army, and your visionary thinking can make a lot of difference to Cambodia and the region,” he wrote in his recent congratulatory letter.Other world leaders, including those of Bangladesh, Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Vietnam and so on as well as president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have also sent their respective congratulatory messages to H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet.
Demand for Organic Rice in Preah Vihear Continues
Phnom Penh August 25, 2023–Two companies, Amru Rice (Cambodia) and Golden Rice Cambodia, renewed their contracts on Aug. 24 to buy organic rice from the farming community in Preah Vihear province. The renewed contracts were signed at Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the presence of the province's deputy governor H.E. Ouk Kimsan. Under the contracts, Golden Rice Cambodia will purchase 1,200 tonnes of organic rice from seven farming communities with 1,000 producer families, and Amru Rice (Cambodia) will buy about 1,000 tonnes of rice from four farming communities with 500 producer families.Oknha Song Saran, General Director of Amru Rice (Cambodia) said 2023 is the ninth year that his company has renewed the purchase contract with Preah Vihear's agricultural communities and that his company is committed to promoting and exporting Preah Vihear organic rice to the world market. According to Mr. Peung Trida, Director of Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Agriculture, the province's Preah Vihear Meanchey Union of Agricultural Cooperative is Cambodia's first union of its kind, established in April 2016 with 25 farming communities of 5,403 producer families. H.E. Ouk Kimsan said that the Royal Government is exploring new international markets to export Cambodia's agricultural products, and agriculture is the backbone of national economic development. He thanked all stakeholders for the good coordination to promote his province's agriculture as well as boost the lives of the farming communities. Preah Vihear province is well known for organic rice and organic cassava.
New PM to further Support Government-Private Sector Forum
Phnom Penh, August 24, 2023 --Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet expressed his full support for the Government-Private Sector Forum.Addressing to the first plenary session of the Council of Ministers for the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly held here at the Peace Palace this morning, H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit said he will chair this event in November.“I will personally lead the 19th Government-Private Sector Forum in this upcoming November, to gather any inputs or request from the private sector that will be used to formulate targeted and practical measures as supports for the private sector, as being one of our economy’s driving forces,” he underlined.H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit encouraged the private sector and any other stakeholders to take this opportunity, and actively participate in this coming forum, while he asked his officials including H.E. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and the Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Financial Policy to coordinate with relevant ministries-institutions, private sector, and other stakeholders to prepare the launching of this forum.The Government-Private Sector Forum was established at the initiative of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen in 1999. It is a mechanism for public/private sector consultation on investment climate issues ranging from long range policy to day-to-day operations.This forum has also given the Royal Government a channel for getting private sector feedback on draft policies, laws and regulations.Under Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s administration, this forum has two plenary meetings a year which have the status of cabinet meetings, and decisions made by the Prime Minister are binding.
Cambodian PM Invited to Summit of Heads of State and Government of Group of 77+China in Cuba Next Month
Phnom Penh, August 24, 2023 --President of Cuba H.E. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez has invited H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to participate in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77+China in Havana, Cuba in mid-September.The invitation was extended to H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit in a congratulatory letter on his appointment as Prime Minister of Cambodia.“I would like to take advantage of this letter to invite you to participate, in person, in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 and China on the current challenges of development: role of science, technology and innovation, to be held in Havana, on Sept. 15-16, 2023,” H.E. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez said.“It would be a great honour to receive you in Cuba and count on your valuable presence and active contribution at this important Summit,” he added.The Cuban President also wished H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Pundit Hun Manet success “in carrying out such an important responsibility”.“You can always count on Cuba’s firm commitment to promote political dialogue to continue strengthening the close relations of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between our governments and peoples,” affirmed H.E. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.