Day: March 12, 2024

The Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), organised a National Workshop on ‘Formulation Process of Cambodia’s Milled Rice Market Expansion and Diversification Strategy’ at Phnom Penh Hotel on Mar. 12.

The workshop was attended by representatives of relevant ministries and institutions, sub-national administrations, educational institutions and research institutions, rice mill owners, traders, producers, and development partners.

Speaking at the workshop, Minister of Commerce H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul highlighted the benefits that will be gained from the strategy to expand and diversify the Cambodian rice market, emphasising that the strategy will be a useful tool for the Royal Government of Cambodia, especially the Ministry of Commerce, to diversify the market and increase rice exports through market-based production and marketing systems around the world.

“This strategy is in line w
ith the priorities, as reflected in the Pentagon Strategy-Phase 1, which is the strategic plan for national development and other national policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the sustainable development goals of Cambodia and the United Nations by 2030,’ she said.

The important strategy is also aimed to promote rice exports from Cambodia to international markets that are competitive and can reach the maximum level based on the current production system and opportunities, the minister added.

H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul ended up her speech by encouraging all participants and stakeholders to make efforts to study, seek understanding and discuss in depth the process of developing the strategy to expand and diversify the Cambodian rice market to boost the country’s rice sector to grow more sustainably.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Cambodia has demonstrated that addressing climate change in the construction sector is globally significant, the Ministry of Environment said in a news release issued on Mar. 11.

At the World Forum on Construction and Climate Change organised by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition in France last week, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, stated that Cambodia’s collective efforts to tackle climate change in the construction sector are paramount.

These efforts have been realised through action plans such as Approval and implementation of the National Air Conditioning Action Plan; Development of standards for construction and infrastructure resilient to climate change; Strengthening public awareness and building capacity to implement climate change policies and activities; Promotion of land use planning for urban housing and climate change adaptation for low-income and homeless individuals; and Providing timely climate financing for climate change
adaptation and mitigation, he pointed out.

Additionally, H.E. Minister Eang Sophalleth affirmed Cambodia’s commitment to combating climate change by enhancing sustainable and environmentally responsible construction practices.

He emphasised the pivotal role of the construction industry in addressing the impacts of climate change, reiterating Cambodia’s dedication to fostering global cooperation for a greener and more resilient future.

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth added that Cambodia acknowledges the significance of the Declaration DE CHAILLOT and is undergoing processing via the diplomatic Chanel to collectively build a legacy of sustainable prosperity for present and future generations.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed the importance of Funan Techo Canal project, in reaction to some criticism against this project.

During his inspection visit to the construction site of Techo International Airport in Kandal province this morning, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said the Funan Techo Canal project will provide high potential for the national development.

‘It will provide benefit for some 1.6 million people along the canal and generate many other benefits for the national development,’ the Premier stressed.

Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister said this new project will link the river system to the sea route under the BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract.

The Funan Techo Canal project has been carefully studied by experts for the benefits of the nation, added Samdech Thipadei, reiterating the Royal Government’s commitment to building the canal to expand the waterway transport, which is more profitable for the economy.

According to the project’s feasibility study
which has already been completed, the construction of this waterway of 180 kilometres long and 100 metres wide upstream and 80 metres downstream with two navigation lanes would be launched at the end of 2024, take around four years to complete, and cost some US$1.7 billion.

The canal will link Prek Takeo of Mekong River to the sea in Kep province crossing four provinces: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep with a total of 1.6 million people living on either side of the waterway.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Cambodia is committed to increasing greenery by planting more than 1 million trees annually, with the goal of achieving 60 percent forest cover by 2050.

The commitment was announced by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Cambodian Minister of Environment, at the World Forum on Buildings and Climate Change, organised in France last week by the United Nations Environment Programm (UNEP) and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of the French Republic, according to the ministry’s news release issued on Mar. 11.

During the event, H.E. Minister Eang Sophalleth stated that Cambodia has developed and implemented a long-term development strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment, made after COP28, to increase its use of renewable energy to 70 percent by 2030 through the ASEAN Green Deal Initiative for the Future. ASEAN Green aims to create a resilient and sustainable environment.

Presently, Cambodia is addressing the environmental impact
of the construction sector and climate change. To this end, Cambodia has formulated and begun implementing the Environmental Chakra Strategy 2023-2028, which focuses on three pillars: ‘Clean, Green, and Sustainable,’ aimed at ensuring cleanliness and greenery throughout Cambodia, particularly in housing, industry, and construction enterprises, along with proper waste management.

Furthermore, H.E. Minister Eang Sophalleth emphasised that Cambodia has launched a public awareness campaign to educate the people about the environmental impact of construction activities. This campaign includes promoting energy efficiency, reducing plastic usage, and advocating for the adoption of green building standards, among other initiatives.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Minister of Labour and Vocational Training has called on development partners and the private sector to join hands with the government in promoting capacity building for people with disabilities.

The minister, H.E. Heng Sour, made the call during a National Forum on Disability Inclusion and Decent Work in Cambodia on Mar. 11 in Phnom Penh.

The government, he added, has set a priority to secure at least 2 percent of the public workplace and 1 percent of private jobs for people with disabilities.

To achieve that, the ministry has advised all technical training institutions to ensure support facilities to ease the access of people with disabilities to capacity training programmes.

Enhanced capacity will open doors of opportunity for people with disabilities to secure decent jobs in a competitive labour market and fully participate in social development, said H.E. Minister.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse