INDEX

1. Official Results of Senate Election

2. Cambodian FM Attends G20 FM Informal Meeting in Mexico

3. Cambodian FM Meets U.S. Assistant Secretary of State

4. ADB Provides US$69 Million for Provincial Roads Improvement

5. UK's Investment Ranks Top in Cambodia

6. China's US$302 Million Concessional Loan to Cambodia Officially Signed

7. Cambodia's Trade with China in 2011 Up 73.5 pct

8. Cambodia's Rubber Exports Increased to US$727 Million in 2011

9. BC: Cambodian Economic Growth Reaches 6.9 percent in 2011

10. Japan Donates De-Mining Equipment To Cambodia

11. Japan Provides More Assistance for Bayon Temple Restoration

12. National Culture Day in Pailin

 

Official Results of Senate Election

 

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 46 seats in the election for the third legislature of the Senate, according to the official results released by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Saturday, reported AKP on 20 February 2112.

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) won the remaining 11 seats, indicated the results.

NEC Secretary General H.E. Tep Nytha said 8 of the 57 newly elected senators are women, of them 6 are from the CPP and 2 the SRP.

The Senate Election of the third legislature was held on 29 January 2012. Only two main political parties – CPP and SRP – competed for 57 of the 61 Senate seats. Two remaining seats will be appointed by the His Majesty the King and the other two will be voted by the National Assembly.

The election is not by universal suffrage. Only 119 of the 123 Members of Parliament and 11,353 commune councilors nationwide can vote.

The term for senators is six years. In the last Senate Election of 2006, the CPP won 45 seats, the FUNCINPEC Party 10 seats and the Sam Rainsy Party 2 seats.

 

 

Cambodian FM Attends G20 FM Informal Meeting in Mexico

 

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong attended the G20 Foreign Minister Informal Meeting in Mexico from 18 to 20 February 2012, according to AKP on 21 February.

In his intervention at the meeting, H.E. Hor Namhong thanked his Mexican counterpart Honorable Patricia Espinosa for inviting Cambodia, as Chair of ASEAN to participate in the meeting.

As the world is looking to the upcoming G20 Summit in June, there is a great expectation of its effectiveness to take an expanded role in building global governance, encompassing finance and economy, social implications and environment dimension which currently pose extremely serious threat to mankind, he said.

As G20 represents both developed and developing countries, with the sense of universal responsibility, it can contribute to the slow down and, eventually, the reversal of this global phenomenon, he said.

Meanwhile, H.E. Hor Namhong also touched on the issue of “shared responsibility to address global challenges in an interdependent system”.

“I think that those issues reflect clearly the serious situation in which we are living in this 21st century,” he said.

According to H.E. Hor Namhong, as economies become more interdependent, it is not only the opportunity for wealth creation that is multiplied, but also the opportunity for destabilizing shocks to be transmitted from one country to another. The imbalances and risks are omnipresent.

The G20 and the multilateral financial institutions have a crucial role to play in meeting these challenges, he said, adding that shared responsibility is about building and strengthening institutions of global cooperation across a wide range of areas.

First, he pointed out, for systemic financial stability, we need a stable monetary system, prudential regulation of international financial markets, and a capacity to deal with major systemic shocks. On that I praise the G20 Leaders' efforts of the last 4 years to make the G20 the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The achievements of the G-20 Summits have helped laid a sound foundation for a new system of global economic and financial governance which has helped to prevent the spread across the globe of the recent global financial crisis.

“Second, we need to adhere to the rule of law to secure an open system for international trade. We should continue fighting against protectionism and promoting free and fair trade. Here, G20 can take a leading role in resuscitating the Doha Round,” he said. “As such we need to move beyond mere interdependence to a deeper level of commonly shared principles: shared values, shared responsibilities, and shared benefits.”

In this regard, in East Asia since 2010, ASEAN with China, Japan and Korea, we have put in operation US$120 billion Swap Arrangement to implement regional financial cooperation, he said.

On the other hand, he underlined, securing sufficient food to feed the world has now become a complex problem for the international community. It is estimated that more than one billion people do not have enough food, as the world population has reached 7 billion. Based on the latest report of the UN Secretary General High Level Panel on sustainability, the world will need at least 50 percent more food, 30 percent more water and 45 percent more energy by 2030. Therefore maybe we need a “new food security order” and a new approach to meet the basic need of the increasing of population in the world.

To improve Food Security in East Asia, ASEAN once again with China, Japan and Korea, have signed an Agreement to establish an ASEAN+3 Rice Reserve of about 800,000 tons for emergency needs, he said.

H.E. Hor Namhong went on to say that representing 85 percent of the global GDP, 80 percent of international trade and two-thirds of the world's 7 billion population, the G20, with many of its members are developing countries, can significantly influence the global governance responses with expanded role in global challenges.

 

 

Cambodian FM Meets U.S. Assistant Secretary of State

 

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E Hor Nambong received on 3 February 2012 Mr. Kurt M. Campbell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, according to AKP on 6 February.

After the meeting, Mr. Kurt M. Campbell told reporters that the U.S. will take note of Cambodia's request for its role at the U.N and will consider Cambodia's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

H.E. Ouch Borith, Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said during the meeting, H.E. Hor Namhong highlighted the good ties of friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and the U.S. in the past few years, and thanked the U.S. for its assistance to the development of Cambodia, especially in the fields of health, mine clearance and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Both sides also discussed about Cambodia's role as the ASEAN Chair this year.

Mr. Kurt M. Campbell expressed his support to Cambodia as the 2012 ASEAN Chair and pledged to cooperate with Cambodia in all fields for the success of the ASEAN Summit, and the 35th Anniversary of the establishment of the relations between ASEAN and the U.S.

The meeting further touched on Myanmar and the South China Sea issue as well as the debt Cambodia owed to the U.S. and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Mr. Kurt M. Campbell traveled to the Republic of Korea and Vietnam from 30 January to 3 February before visiting Cambodia on Feb. 3-4.

 

 

ADB Provides US$69 Million for Provincial Roads Improvement

 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided US$69 million to Cambodia for the improvement of the provincial roads, reported AKP basing on an ADB's press release dated 22 February 2012.

According to the press release, the fund will support a major upgrade of provincial roads in some of Cambodia's poorest provinces.

The Provincial Roads Improvement Project, financed by a US$52 million loan from ADB's Special Funds and a US$17 million loan and grant from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), will be used to rehabilitate about 150 kilometers of unpaved provincial roads in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces, home to a large number of the country's rural poor. The project will also address growing road safety and climate change challenges.

“The efficient transport is critical for economic growth. This initiative will provide safe, and year-round access to markets, employment centers and social services for poor and remote communities,” Mr. Groff said.

 

 

UK's Investment Ranks Top in Cambodia

 

The United Kingdom's investment in Cambodia has reached US$2.24 billion in 2011, making the UK the largest investor in the country, said AKP on 15 February 2012.

According to a report from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), in 2011 the UK invested in only two projects – nitrogen and fertilizer factory, which amounted to US$2.22 billion, and garment manufacture with the amount of US$16.09 million.

The report recorded that British investors stood at the top list with US$2.24-billion investment, followed by local investors with US$1.93-billion investment, and those from China with US$1.19-billion investment, Vietnam with US$631-million investment and Hong Kong with US$330-million investment.

In 2011, CDC has approved in total 164 projects worth US$7.01 billion, up from US$2.6 billion in 2010.

 

 

China's US$302 Million Concessional Loan to Cambodia Officially Signed

 

On 2 February 2012, The agreement on the concession loan of more than US$302 million in the framework of Cambodia-China bilateral cooperation was signed by H.E. Keat Chhon, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and Mr. Li Ruogu, President of the Export-Import Bank of China.

The loan will be used for the implementation of three projects: Construction of the National Road No124 and Thalaborivath-Tbeng Meanchey Mekong crossing bridge, Construction of National Road No76 from Sen Monorom-Ta Ang and Development of Vaiko Irrigation Phase I.

The concessional loan, will help boost Cambodia 's economic growth, thus further end the country's poverty, added H.E. Keat Chhon.

 

 

 

Cambodia's Trade with China in 2011 Up 73.5 percent

 

According to a report of the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh on 9 February 2012, The bilateral trade between Cambodia and China amounted to US$2.5 billion last year, up 73.5 percent from a year earlier.

“The growth of trade between China and Cambodia is the highest among the bilateral trade between China and other ASEAN countries,” said the report.

Cambodia's export to China totaled US$184 million, increased 96.8 percent, and China's exports to Cambodia reached US$2.31 billion, up 71.8 percent.

Cambodia's main imports from China were garment raw materials, machinery, motorcycles, cars, foodstuffs, electronics, furniture, medicines and cosmetics.

The items the country exported to China were agricultural products, rubber, fishery, timber and textile.

 

 

 

Cambodia's Rubber Exports Increased to US$727 Million in 2011

 

According to a report from the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Investment in rubber plantation in Cambodia increased to US$727 million for 2011.

Twenty investments stand behind the said amount of investment income, of them 16 are owned by Vietnam, 3 by national individuals, and 1 by the partnership between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Cambodia's rubber export to the international market in 2011 was US$201 million, up US$114 million from US$87 million in 2010.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, rubber plantations cover more than 181,040 hectares of the country's land surface, particularly in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear.

 

 

NBC: Cambodian Economic Growth Reaches 6.9 percent in 2011

 

H.E. Mr. Chea Chanto, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), said the country's economic growth in 2011 would reach 6.9 percent.

Speaking at the NBC's annual meeting on Wednesday 08 February 2012, H.E. Mr. Chea Chanto said that last year Cambodia ‘s macro economy was stable despites devastating floods.

The agricultural sector saw an increase by 1.4 percent, industry 14,1 percent and services 5 percent, he indicated.

The country's inflation rate was on average 5.5 percent, while foreign direct investment was estimated at US$677 million, he added.

 

Japan Donates De-Mining Equipment To Cambodia

 

The Government of Japan has donated mine clearance equipment worth up to US$16.5 million to the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC).

The handover ceremony was held at CMAC Regional Headquarters at Prasat Bakong district in Siem Reap province on 16 February under the presidency of H.E. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, and Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Masafumi Kuroki.

For his part, H.E. Masafumi Kuroki said the Japanese government donated the technical equipment to Cambodia for supporting and improving mine and unexploded ordnance clearance operation of CMAC and hoped that the assistance will help CMAC to carry out its works more effectively.

In reply, H.E. Sok An expressed profound thanks to the Japanese government and other development partners for their support and assistance to Cambodia's mine clearance activities.

 

 

 

Japan Provides More Assistance for Bayon Temple Restoration

 

The Government of Japan will provide US$2.5 million in aid plus Cambodia's national budget of US$500,000 through Apsara Fund for the safeguarding of Bayon Temple phase IV, reported AKP on 16 February 2012.

The agreement on the safeguarding of the above-mentioned temple between the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNESCO was signed here on Monday by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers H.E. Sok An and Representative of UNESCO to Cambodia, Mr. Phillippe Delanghe.

Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Masafumi Kuroki was also present on the occasion.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Sok An profoundly thanked the government and people of Japan and UNESCO for their precious assistance to promote social development, especially to safeguard and restore Cambodia's cultural heritage.

 

 

 

National Culture Day in Pailin

 

For the last 14 years, the Cambodian government has organised a National Culture Day on March 3 to revive and commemorate the many cultural traditions that exist within the Kingdom.

This year the National Culture day organized by The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) was held on 2-4 March 2012 in Pailin Province, about 400 kilometres west of Phnom Penh under the theme “ Everything is for the sustainability of national culture ” .

According to the press release of MCFA, The event was attended by Men Sam An, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, and Pailin Governor Y Chhean.

National Culture Day is part of the government's mission to “preserve the culture, promote the cultural legacies and develop all cultural activities – especially in places where indigenous people live – and also encourage the creation of new art forms”.

Throughout the day, a number of cultural diffusion activities had been organized, said the press release, adding that the activities included a cultural product exhibition, Khmer classical, traditional and modern concert, traditional costume fashion show, and circus performance.

In a message to mark the day, Samdech Akak Moha SEna Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia said that the government of Cambodia always pays high attention to the conservation and development of national culture because culture is the nation's invaluable spirit and identification.

"With the government's efforts, Cambodia's tangible and intangible cultural heritages have gained well-known fame internationally and some of them have been listed as world heritages such as the Angkor Archeological Park, Royal Ballet, Sbek Thom or Khmer Shadow Theater, and Preah Vihear temple," he said.

The premier added that the government would continue preserving the country's abundant heritages of culture, especially in the areas with ethnic minority groups.

"It is very important to educate people to know the value of culture and to tap cultural potential for social and economic development through creating services and making cultural products for the targets of trade and tourism," he said.

He said the event was also to join force to prevent the inflows of negative foreign cultures into Cambodia, especially among youth and children.