Day: January 20, 2023

Cambodia has in total 753,670 economic entities in 2022 throughout the country, up more than 1.4 percent compared to 742,940 economic entities registered in 2021, according to the preliminary results of Cambodia Economic Census 2022.

The figures were shared by H.E. Chhay Than, Senior Minister and Minister of Planning while presiding over the dissemination workshop on the preliminary results of the Economic Census of Cambodia 2022 here in Phnom Penh on Jan. 18.

The number indicated an increase of more than 47 percent compared to 505,134 entities recorded in the economic census in 2011, added H.E. Chhay Than.

The increase reflects structural change of economic and demographic growth, and administrative geography, he continued.

The economic census of Cambodia 2022 is a crucial work for Cambodia and it was the second of its kind. The first one was conducted in 2011.

It was the main inputs for policy development on socio-economy, environment and people’s welfare, and serves as indicators of sustainable development goals 2016-2030.

H.E. Chhay Than also spoke highly of the effort of the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), the World Bank and concerned technical working groups for successfully completing the census.

The economic census of Cambodia 2022 was executed from Mar. 1 to 31, 2022 engaging approximately 5,000 officials in collecting the needed data.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

At least 115 national and international drivers from six countries have joined the Peace Off-Road Car Racing 2023 in Mondulkiri province.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Peace Off-Road Car Racing 2023 at 12 Motor Park last weekend, H.E. Hor Sarun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, said the event aimed at promoting tourism sports.

It reflected peace and security and allowed experience at beautiful and green tourism destination in Mondulkiri which is a diversification of the sector in the province, he added.

Participating countries included Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea and France.

Taking place from Jan. 13 to 15, the competition was divided into three categories: Class A for hard core, B for light core, and C for overland; and attracted the participation of 67 racing cars.

There were also off-road rally joined by 20 racing cars, and motorbike racing of 5 classes: A, B, C, VIP, and kids attracting the participation of 121 motor bikes.

The Peace Off-Road Car Racing 2023 also intended to cheer the inauguration of Cambodia’s biggest international standard racing court “12 Motor Park” encompassing a total of 93 hectares of land surface.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

The WCS Turtle Conservation Team has recently collected 54 Royal Turtle eggs from four clutches deposited on an artificial sand bank beside a breeding pond at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre (KKRCC), according to WCS Cambodia’s press release dated Jan. 19.

The eggs were laid on the night of Jan. 16 and 18, according to images obtained from a camera trap installed on the sand bank. This is the third consecutive year that Royal Turtles have laid eggs in captivity in Cambodia.

The team expects to collect more eggs of captive turtles at the Centre during the 2023 nesting season which began in January and will continue through March. Last year, the team found 81 eggs from nine clutches on the same sand bank. Captive breeding is one of several conservation strategies used by WCS Cambodia and Fisheries Administration to restore the population of the Royal Turtle in Cambodia, the same source added.

KKRCC currently holds 184 Royal Turtles, and 147 young adult Royal Turtles have been released back into the wild since 2015. Sub-adult and adult turtles at the KKRCC are kept in four breeding ponds, whilst younger animals are raised in large plastic tanks before transferal to the breeding ponds.

The Royal Turtle, scientifically known as Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), is one of the world’s 25 most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, and has been designated as Cambodia’s National Reptile by a Royal Decree issued in 2005.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here this morning a farewell visit from H.E. Sudirman Haseng, outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to H.E. Sry Thamrong, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister, in the farewell meeting, H.E. Sudirman Haseng on behalf of the Indonesian government, expressed congratulations to Cambodia on the successful hosting of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits and the 43rd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), which is an encouragement to Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair this year. He also wished Cambodia success in organising the SEA Games-ASEAN Para Games 2023.

The outgoing diplomat noted peace, stability and rapid progress in all domains in Cambodia during his diplomatic mission of over 4 years.

H.E. Sudirman Haseng thanked the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) for naming two streets in Phnom Penh after two former Indonesian presidents – Soekarno and Ali Alatas, which reflects the attention to the close friendship between the two countries, and for facilitating the lives and businesses of Indonesian nationals in Cambodia, especially their vaccination against COVID-19.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the Indonesian side for the congratulations, stressing that the successful hosting of ASEAN Summits and Related Summits was inseparable from the support of Indonesia and other friendly countries. He appreciated Indonesia’s support for Timor-Leste’s application to be a member of ASEAN, believing that the country can join ASEAN Summits this year.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen recalled the key contribution of H.E. Soekarno and Ali Alatas to the enhancement of bilateral relations between Cambodia and Indonesia as well as to the Kingdom’s peace-seeking process.

Both the Premier and outgoing ambassador shared optimism over the growing trade exchange between the two countries after their reopening and forthcoming resumption of direct flights and thanks to ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

The Banks and Financial Institutions’ Code of Conduct, has officially been put into full implementation after nearly one year of interim implementation. The Code of Conduct is important as the banking sector’s fundamentals are built on integrity and trust with the customers and the public.

Speaking to more than 600 attendees at the BFIs’ Code of Conduct Workshop in Phnom Penh on Jan. 18, H.E. Kith Sovannarith, First Deputy Director General of Banking Supervision at the National Bank of Cambodia, applauded the three associations (Association of Banks in Cambodia, Cambodia Microfinance Association, and Cambodian Association of Finance and Technology) that initiated and adopted the BFIs’ Code of Conduct and Lending Guidelines, which is remarkable achievement to maintain the stability of the Banking and Financial sector and build the public’s trust.

“To maintain the stability and sustainability in the development of the banking sector, the strengthening market conduct and consumer protection demand full participation from all stakeholders, especially, Banks and Financial Institutions,” he said.

Mr. Raymond Sia, Chairman of the Association of Banks in Cambodia, said in banking & finance, the behaviour and actions of BFIs’ colleagues are important as the banking sector’s fundamentals are built on integrity and trust with the customers and the public. He went on to add that unethical practices such as over-aggressive selling and inappropriate actions must not be condoned.

“As bankers, we need to reinforce these Values and strive for Excellence in everything we do,” he added.

The BFIs’ Code of Conduct was initiated and adopted in line with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2019-2025. It is to ensure sustainable development & resilience, promote & strengthen consumer protection, and enhance ethics and professionalism in Banks and Financial Institutions.

Chairman of Cambodia Microfinance Association Mr. Sok Voeun, said that the three associations’ members have made efforts to comply with the rules of the Code of Conduct, although it is not easy, for the efforts to contribute to the strengthening of the banking system and customer protection, all institutions strive to improve their systems and policies to ensure that their institutions fully comply with the rules set out in the Code.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press