Category: Politics

The European Union (EU) has appreciated Cambodia’s mine clearance achievement, considering it a prime contributor to minimising victims and developing Cambodia.

The appreciation was made by H.E. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to Cambodia, during his meeting with Senior Minister H.E. Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) in Phnom Penh on Feb. 20.

H.E. Ly Thuch thanked the EU for its contribution to Cambodia’s progress by far, especially to humanitarian mine action since 1992.

The CMAA first vice president continued that the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, firmly supported the mine and ERW clearance and committed to getting rid of landmines completely by 2025.

With its heavy experience, Cambodia was elected to chair and host the 5th Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention, the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, in November 2024, with the participation of de
legates from 164 countries and international organisations.

The outcome of the 3rd Global Conference on Assistance to the Victims of Anti-Personnel Mines and Other Explosive Ordnance in a Disability Rights Context that Cambodia hosted in October 2023, supported by the EU, was an important element for the discussion in the upcoming 5th Review Conference.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

PUTRAJAYA, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today urged all parties to collectively mobilise efforts to ensure poverty is truly eradicated and not burdened on the government.

This includes non-governmental organisations (NGOs), high-profile figures, government-linked companies (GLCs) and business entities, said Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development.

‘The role of eradicating poverty should not only be on the government, we all are responsible for working together to achieve it.

‘The vulnerable and fragile B40 group that needs assistance must be helped so that they can break free from the shackles of poverty, especially since this group is at risk of facing emotional and mental pressures,” he said in his opening speech at the ‘Eradicating Poverty: The Role of the Third Sector’ Congress here today.

His speech text was read out by his political secretary for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), Datuk Mohd Razlan Muhamad Rafii.

Quoting the ‘Ihsan’ (compassion) value in the concept of Malaysia MADANI, Ahmad Zahid said that the implementation of the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) had an impact on reducing the number of hardcore poor households to 18,000 families, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the presentation of Budget 2024 on Oct 13.

The government has also introduced various incentives, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and subsidies for padi farmers and smallholders, he said.

As for KKDW, Ahmad Zahid said he had proposed that the national cooperative movement move cohesively through the formation of a grouping or federation to enhance the economy and welfare of the people.

It is now the third contributor to the country’s economy after the government and private sectors, with a membership of 7.3 million and accumulated share capital and fees of RM16.5 billion, he said.

On July 30, Ahmad Zahid called on the cooperative movement in Malaysia to move cohesively to help the government eradicate hardcore poverty and hoped that it would be seriously involved in helping the government’s efforts to reduce the prices of necessities such as sugar, flour and cooking oil.

The congress organised by Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) and Benevolent Malaysia in collaboration with the Institute for Poverty Research and Management, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Universiti Tenaga Nasional presented the resolution, ‘The Role of the Third Sector in Eradicating Poverty in Malaysia’.

The resolution, among other things, recommends strengthening the role of the third sector such as NGOs, GLCs and individuals to jointly form networks at the local and international levels in eradicating poverty.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet will inaugurate the Toyota Tsusho Vehicle Assembly Plant in 2024.

The information was confirmed when Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet received in Tokyo this morning Mr. Ichiro Kashitani, President and CEO of Toyota Tsusho Corporation on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

In the meeting, Mr. Ichiro Kashitani invited Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to preside over the inauguration ceremony, and in response Samdech Thipadei accepted the invitation, and expressed his appreciation for the Japanese investment, especially Toyota Tsusho in the Kingdom.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also encouraged the company to consider establishing a work experience exchange programme between Cambodian and Japanese employees to strengthen their knowledge, profession, culture, traditions, as well as the close relationship between the people of the two countries.

Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho) has established a vehicle assembly company – Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (TTMC) – in Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone with a total investment capital of approximately US$36.8 million .

This factory will locally assemble Toyota HILUX pickup truck and Toyota FORTUNER SUV.

On the same day, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also received a courtesy call from Mr. Li Motoyuki, President and Chief Executive Officer of NTT Docomo, Inc., a Japanese Telecom company.

On the occasion, the Cambodian Premier recommended NTT Docomo, Inc. to work closely with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and relevant authorities to find out and discuss further priority possibilities.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, has encouraged the Kansai Economic Federation to continue to help promoting Cambodia’s potential to Japanese investors.

The Cambodian Premier made the encouragement while receiving a courtesy visit from Mr. Obayashi Takeo, Chief of Overseas Relations of Kansai Economic Federation, and Chairman of Obayashi Corporation, in Tokyo, Japan this morning before his return to Phnom Penh.

Mr. Obayashi Takeo told Samdech Thipadei of his intention to expand investment as well as encourage other Japanese companies to invest in Cambodia. He also mentioned about a world expo project next year with the hope that Cambodia will participate in this important event.

In reply, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the Kansai Economic Federation’s intention, affirming that the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia will join the upcoming world expo in the Kansai Economic Federation.

In addition, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Royal Government has been paying attention to ensuring the sustainability of a favorable environment for business and investment through the introduction of new policies, mechanisms and legal frameworks, as well as the development of key infrastructure and logistics such as expressways, railways and ports to attract both local and foreign investors.

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei added, the Royal Government is examining the possibility of establishing a Cambodia-Japan Industrial Park and developing a logistics master plan to turn Sihanoukville Autonomous Port into a major port in the region.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, departed here this morning for a state visit to Fujian province, the People’s Republic of China, from Dec. 19-21, 2023.

The monarch was seen off at Phnom Penh International Airport by Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, President of the Senate ; Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly; Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, Honorary President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King; Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King; and many other senior officials and royal family members.

During His Majesty the King’s absence, Samdech Vibol Sena Say Chhum will act as the Acting Head of State, according to a royal message dated Dec. 18.

In Fujian, the Cambodian monarch will attend the 30th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition of “3820” Strategic Project initiated by Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse