A Signing Ceremony of the Loan Agreement of the National Road No. 68 Project

A Signing Ceremony of the Loan Agreement of the National Road No. 68 Project (Kralanh-Samrong-O Smach) between Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency, the Kingdom of Thailand and Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance was held here Thursday morning under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance.

Under the loan agreement, which amounting to Thai Baht 1,400 Million (approximately 40 Million USD) will be used for the improvement of National Road No. 68 Project (Kralanh-Samrong-O Smach).

The freshly-signed loan agreement is another step forward in fostering closer relation and financial cooperation between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Government of Thailand through the provision of much needed loan to develop physical infrastructure contributing to the implementation of poverty reduction and economic growth policies envisaged in the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) and the Rectangular Strategy Phase II of Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen.

H.E. Keat Chhon meets with Executive Director of World Bank

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance, meets here on Wednesday with Mr. Jim Hagan, Executive Director of World Bank.

During the meeting, Mr. Jim Hagen told H.E. Keat Chhon that his visit to Cambodia is aimed at seeking for more understanding on Cambodia’s current economic, social and political situation.

In reply, H.E. Minister informed his guest that in 2008, Cambodia’s economic growth achieved 6.7 % despite the country affected by the global economic crisis and for 2009 Cambodia is predicted to get 2.1 %.

H.E Oun Ponmonirath makes an inspection tour of drought-hit area at Kandal province

H.E Oun Ponmonirath, Minister Attached to Cambodian Prime Minister, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance accompanied by the ministry’s officials makes an inspection tour of drought-hit area at Kandal province’s Ksach Kandal district on August 25.

On the occasion, H.E. Oun Ponmonirath provided 8 water pumping machines and 2,000 litters of diesel to the farmers in the district in order to help pumping water into their rice fields.

A signing ceremony on Pool Establishment for Cross Border Motor Vehicle Insurance

A signing ceremony on the Memorandum of Understanding between Asia, Cambodia Re, Caminco, CampuBank Lonpac, Forte and Infinity on “Pool Establishment for Cross Border Motor Vehicle Insurance” was signed here on August 25, by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E Keat Chhon, minister of Economy and Finance with the representatives of the above-said six insurance companies, which are running their business in Cambodia.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E Keat Chhon said this demonstrate another development on the insurance field in Cambodia in line with the financial development strategy 2006-2015.

Samdech Hun Sen meets with A delegation of Japan

A delegation of Marubini and Inpec Companies of Japan led by Mr. Teruo Asad pays a courtesy visit to Cambodia Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sana Padei Techo Hun Sen on August 25 at his Takhmao city’s residence in Kandal province.

In the meeting, Mr. Teruo Asad told Cambodian Premier Techo Hun Sen of the companies’ wish on oil exploration in Cambodia.

In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed the companies’ proposal and asked the companies to formally apply for the bidding with transparency.

Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen hands over the uniforms of Cambodian Red Cross to 330 voluntary students

Cambodian Red Cross President Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen hands over here on Tuesday the uniforms of Cambodian Red Cross to 330 voluntary students from 11 high schools in Phnom Penh Capital City, who voluntarily join the humanitarian activities.

According to the reports of the Cambodian Red Cross, in the first six months of 2009, Phnom Penh Red Cross’s branch has recruited 4,831 Cambodian Red Cross Voluntary Students from Phnom Penh’s 46 senior and junior high schools together with 107 youth councilors.

On the occasion, Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen said we have our uniform and identity, which reflect another step of progress for our voluntary students together with value and honor in contribution to the humanitarian activities.

Samdech Hun Sen meets with a delegation of OZ Mineral Company from Australia

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen (2^nd right) meets with a delegation of OZ Mineral Company from Australia, which was given right for mine exploration in Cambodia’s province of Mondulkiri led by Mr. Terry Burgess (3^rd left) at his Takhmao town’s residence in Kandal province on August 24.

In the meeting, Mr. Terry Burgess told Samdech Techo Hun Sen that his company was granted right for mine exploration since three years ago with the expenditure of over US$10 million. He also stated that the company will get a concrete result from this exploration in early 2010.

In reply, Cambodian premier expressed his welcome and encouraged the OZ Mineral’s efforts for its cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy of Cambodia which lead to the successful investment. He also expressed hope that in the near future Cambodia cans absorb mine resources for use as part to promote the development of the country economy.

A meeting on the Cambodian Education Quality Recognition Committee

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E Sok An chairs a meeting on the Cambodian Education Quality Recognition Committee held here on August 24.

According to the reports of the Committee Secretariat General, in 2008-2009, there were 39 educational institutions have passed the education quality recognition assessment.

The inaugurating ceremony of William Badarff Primary School building at Siem Reap province

Cambodian Information Ministry’s Under Secretary of State H.E. Phath Sareth and H.E Sok Lakhena, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap province preside over the inaugurating ceremony of William Badarff Primary School building at Kraper village, Ballang commune, Prasat Bakong district, Siem Reap province on August 22.

The school building was built by the donation fund at the costs of some US$35,000 from the Sam Relief Organization and charitable people from USA.

An agreement on the concession loan project to develop the seaport infrastructure in Cambodia

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance and H.E Suzuki Jasujiro, newly-assigned JICA Representative Chief to Cambodia signed here on August 21 an agreement on the concession loan project to develop the seaport infrastructure in Cambodia.

The concession loan of government of Japan to government of Cambodia with the amount of ¥7,176 millions will be used for the construction of seaport facilities.

The dissemination on the law of tourism

A launching ceremony for the dissemination on the law of tourism was held in Siem Reap city in the province of the same name on August 21 under the presidency of H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism with the participation of over 400 participants from provincial State institutions and relevant tourism private sectors.

Addressing the ceremony, H.E Thong Khon said the law on tourism is officially comes into forces from now on. He also appealed to all relevant people in the tourism sectors to conduct their study on the said law.

Samdech Chea Sim warmly receives a Head of Parliament’s Strategy and Financial Commission of Korea

Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal Chea Sim warmly receives here on August 22 a visiting Mr. Shu Byung Soo, Head of Parliament’s Strategy and Financial Commission of the Republic of Korea.

In the meeting, Mr. Shu Byung Soo told Samdech Chea Sim that his visit to Cambodia is aimed at establishing a New Village’s Movement here, provide loan to Cambodia as well as to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He also stated that Korea wishes to make the cooperation with Cambodia in agricultural field.

In reply, Cambodian Senate President Samdech Chea Sim warmly welcomed the visit made by Korean delegation to Cambodia and considered it as another witness that will further strengthen and consolidate the cooperation of the two countries’ legislative bodies.

Samdech Hun Sen inspects the drought-hit area at Pursat province

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen accompanied by many government ministers inspects the drought-hit area and helped transplant rice for the farmers at Trapaing Chong commune, Bakan district, Pursat province on August 22.

On the occasion, Cambodian premier said that according to the agricultural reports, farmers across the country have achieved 82% in their rice cultivation or up by some 300,000 hectares if compared to the same period of 2008.

He also called on the farmers to plant rice as soon as possible when there are enough water in the farms and should abandon their old practices by waiting until the month of August to start growing rice.

Samdech Hun Sen warmly receives a Head of Parliament’s Strategy and Financial Commission of Korea

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen warmly receives here on August 21 a visiting Mr. Shu Byung Soo, Head of Parliament’s Strategy and Financial Commission of the Republic of Korea, in which the guest is seeking for recommendation and support from Cambodian premier to build a private university and a New Village’s Movement in Kampot province, in which the said the movement was very successfully implemented in Korea.

In response, Samdech Hun Sen expressed his supports to the initiative to build a private university in Kampot province as well as establish a New Village’s Movement in Cambodia.

Premier Techo Hun Sen also advised that the New Village’s Movement should be organized together with the construction of the university on the land area which already prepared by Cambodian Royal Armed Forces Commander Gen. Meas Sophea as the university will help human resource development in Cambodia.

H.E. Keat Chhon meets with an outgoing Japan’s Ambassador to Cambodia

An outgoing Japan’s Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Shinohara Katsuhiro bids farewell here on August 20 to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Keat Chhon, Minister of Economy and Finance, upon completion of his diplomatic mission here.

In the meeting, the ambassador told Cambodian deputy premier that before he returns to Japan he will ask the Japanese government to continue providing assistance to Cambodia as this country still faces with many challenging issues despite Cambodia has achieved a lot of progresses in the last several years.

In reply, H.E Keat Chhon expressed profound thanks to H.E Shinohara Katsuhiro for his supports to the Cambodian people and his fruitful coordination works between the governments of Japan and Cambodia.

The disseminating course on the prevention of land dispute

Some 220 provincial officials, district counselors, State civil-servants together with the military and police officers across Siem Reap province attend the disseminating course on the prevention of land dispute held in Siem Reap city on August 20 under the presidency of H.E. Bin Chhin, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of National Authority for Land Dispute Resolution in order to disseminate the related fundamental land law as well as other relevant laws.

The destruction of seized illegal drugs

Phnom Penh Municipal Governor H.E Kep Chutema presides over the destruction of seized illegal drugs held at “Orkas Knhom Rehabilitation Center” in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district on August 20, which was jointly organized by the Cambodian National Authority for Combating Drug and Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

On the occasion, H.E Kep Chutema said this was the fourth of its kind for drug destruction after they were confiscated by the authorities. In this 2009, the authorities cracked down 36 drug cases and arrested 80 offenders.

H.E Sok An meets with World Bank representative to Cambodia

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E Sok An, minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers meets here on August 19 with Mr. Qimiao Fan, World Bank representative to Cambodia.

In the meeting, Mr. Qimiao Fan said the Royal Government of Cambodia and WB have greatly achieved on the land projects such as the Land Title Issuing with more than one million families so far, the continuation of land reform and the resolution on compensation policy for the people, who were moved from the development areas.

For his parts, H.E Sok An briefed his guests over the progress of the criminal codes, which is now under the debating by the National Assembly’s Legal Commission and the draft of Anti-Corruption Law will soon submit to the cabinet meeting.

A Seminar on “Microfinance amid the Global Financial Crisis”

A Seminar on “Microfinance amid the Global Financial Crisis” which organized by the National Bank of Cambodia in collaboration with International Financial Corporation (IFC), European Commission and Association of Microfinance of Cambodia was held here on August 19 under the presidency of H.E Chea Chanto, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia.

The seminar was conducted with an aims to discuss on the strategy to improve national economy, to merge all people into the financial system and to share the views and experiences in response to the global financial crisis, bankruptcy management, debts and the implementation of debt collection.

Addressing the seminar, H.E Chea Chanto said Cambodia is not seriously affected by the global financial crisis.

The “Launching of the Study Report on E-Government Service Deployment Plan and Government Information Security Management System”

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sok An, cabinet minister presides over here Thursday morning the “Launching of the Study Report on E-Government Service Deployment Plan and Government Information Security Management System”.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Sok An profoundly thanked to the Government of Japan for its active contribution to the information and communication technology in Cambodia.

He further said that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has helped build the telecommunication network in Phnom Penh Municipality since 1990.

A Training Course on “Magazine Page Layout and Printing House Work Technique”

Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith presides over here Thursday morning a closing ceremony of Training Course on “Magazine Page Layout and Printing House Work Technique”.

Addressing the ceremony, H.E. Khieu Kanharith said the Ministry of Information is in the process to upgrade the Cambodia Magazine to 100 pages in the future.

He added that through this training course, we are able to improve the quality of photos, articles and publishing so as to lure the readers.

The National Authority for Combating Drugs holds its 12th Meeting

The National Authority for Combating Drugs holds its 12^th Meeting here on Tuesday under the presidency of H.E. General Ke Kim Yan, deputy prime minister and chairman of the NACD.

Addressing the meeting, H.E Ke Kim Yan said the meeting is aimed at reviewing and amending some articles of the related law on drug as well as drafting a new law which will be forwarded to the legal team at the Office of the Council of Ministers for further inspection before submitting for an approval at the upcoming cabinet meeting.

Samdech Hun Sen meets with Outgoing Chief of Japan International Cooperation Agency

utgoing Chief of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to Cambodia Mr. Kazuhiro Yoneda bids farewell to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen during a meeting here Wednesday morning upon completion of his three-year mission to Cambodia.

On the occasion, Mr. Kazuhiro Yoneda told Premier Hun Sen that even though he completed his mission to Cambodia, but JICA reassigns him to manage the industrial sector, and he pledged to boost Japanese investors to invest in industrial sector in Cambodia. He also introduced his successor Mr. Yasujiro Suzuki to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In reply, Samdech Hun Sen thanked Mr. Kazuhiro Yoneda and JICA for always provides assistance to Cambodia. He also asked new JICA Chief to Cambodia Mr. Yasujiro Suzuki to continue assist Cambodia in agricultural field, particularly irrigation systems.

A press conference on the opening of Duty-Free Trade Zone at Tan Bien border area

Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and Vietnam’s Provincial Committee of An Giang have jointly organizes a press conference here on August 18 on the opening of Duty-Free Trade Zone at Tan Bien border area under the presidency of H.E Mao Thora, Cambodian Secretary of State of the Commerce Ministry and H.E Minh Chieu, Chairman of An Giang Provincial People’s Committee of Vietnam.

The Tan Bien Zone is a Duty-Free and VAT Free Zone for the import-export goods. By now, there are 43 companies have registered for their businesses there.

Samdech Hun Sen meets with American Senator

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen meets here Tuesday afternoon with American Senator Mr. Jim Webb.

On the occasion, Mr. Jim Webb told Premier Techo Hun Sen that he is willing to help enhancing the relationship between the United States of America and Cambodia, particularly on the economic field.

He added that Cambodia is reaches of culture and civilization and he also expressed his regret of what Cambodia has experienced in the past.

In reply, Premier Techo Hun Sen expressed his congratulation and thanks to Mr. Jim Webb for his consideration in helping Cambodia in enhancing the relationship and economic field between the United States of American and Cambodia.

He added that Cambodia-America relationship has reached the top level. Prime Minister Hun Sen also asked Senator Jim Webb to continue assist Cambodia in importing Cambodian products to the United States.

The training course on the Snake Biting Case Management and Protecting Measure

The training course on “The Snake Biting Case Management and Protecting Measure” organized by the Health Care Department of the Health Ministry and supported by WHO was held here on August 12 under the presidency of Dr. Heng Taikry, Secretary of State at the Health Ministry.

According to the report, in 2008, it was 153 cases of snake biting, in which 141 cases were treated by snake-bite serum and 12 cases were dead. By June of this year, there are 113 cases.

A meeting on Wednesday to seek ways and measures to combat all illegal forest reclaiming

Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Chan Sarun chairs a meeting here on Wednesday to seek ways and measures to combat all illegal forest reclaiming which being occurred in some provinces.

According to the meeting’s report, so far 281,108 ha of illegal reclaimed land were confiscated by the government.

H.E Chea Chanto meets with a delegation of Lao parliament

Cambodia’s National Bank Governor H.E Chea Chanto (R) meets here on Tuesday with a delegation of Lao parliament led by H.E Khamsing Soyakone, permanent committee member and chairman of the Parliament’s Finance, Planning and Economic Commission.

During the meeting, the Lao delegation has focused on the work experiences of the banking management from the National Bank of Cambodia.

Senate President Meets Indonesian Ambassadors

A newly appointed Ambassador of Indonesia to Cambodia H.E I Gede Ngurah Swa Jaya pays a courtesy call on Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal Chea Sim in Phnom Penh on August 12.

On the occasion, the ambassador told Cambodia’s Senate President that Indonesia will continue to help Cambodia on the fields of agriculture and human resource training.

In reply, Samdech Chea Sim welcomed the diplomatic mission of H.E I Gede Ngurah Swa Jaya to Cambodia and strongly believed that the relationship, friendship and cooperation between the two countries Cambodia and Indonesia will be further strengthened and consolidated.

The inauguration of a new school building at the Royal University of Law and Economic Science

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen cuts red ribbon inaugurated a new school building and hands over certificates to 1,312 graduated students of bachelor and master degrees at the Royal University of Law and Economic Science in Phnom Penh on August 12.

On the occasion, Cambodian premier said today’s achievement is resulted from the fundamental core factor of peace and stability together with the firm political platform of the royal government of Cambodia.

He further said that the human resource building is one of the prioritized strategies of the government.

Japan’s ODA Loan and Grant Aid to the Royal Government of Cambodia

An Exchange of Notes for Japan’s ODA Loan and Grant Aid to the Royal Government of Cambodia between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and H.E. Shinohara Katsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia was held here Thursday morning under the presence of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

I n response to the request from the Royal Government of Cambodia and with a view to promoting the socio-economic development of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Government of Japan has decided to extend ODA Loan and Grant Aid to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the purpose of contributing to the execution of the two following projects:

- Loan of up to ¥7,176,000,000, approximately equivalent to USD 72,000,000, for the implementation of The Sihanoukville Port Multipurpose Terminal Development Project; and
- Grant Aid of up to ¥1,000,000,000, approximately equivalent to USD 10,000,000, for the promotion of the economic and social development efforts by the Royal Government of Cambodia.