Cambodia News Gazette

Cambodia will launch the third dose or booster dose campaign for frontline workers in the provinces bordering Thailand on Aug. 8, according to an announcement of the Ministry of Health issued today.
The priority people to receive the booster doses are frontline medical practitioners, both public and private, and civil servants in seven provinces: Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Pursat, and Preah Vihear, as well as contracted officials and family members of armed forces, it pointed out.
AstraZeneca vaccine will be used during the campaign for those who have been vaccinated with Sinopharm or Sinovac, it underlined.
In a voice message yesterday, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen instructed H.E. Mrs. Or Vandine, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health and Chairwoman of the National Ad-hoc Commission for COVID-19 Vaccination to immediately deploy AstraZeneca vaccines to the border provinces for frontline workers, who account for about 30,000 to 40,000 people.
The Premier also advised all provincial and municipal governors to prepare new quarantine centres and transfer quarantined people with better state to continue their quarantine at their respective homes so as to leave the free space for those from the provinces bordering Thailand.
Cambodia logged the total of 81,335 infections as of this morning, of which 74,745 have recovered and 1,537 deceased, and 327 of the cases were detected with the Delta variant as of Aug. 5.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

Cambodia is committed to strengthen and promote peace, stability, security and prosperity in the ASEAN region for the people’s well-being.
The commitment was emphasised by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the ASEAN Day 2021 (Aug. 8).
“In less than five months, Cambodia will take over the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN for the third time since joining the association in 1999. During its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022, Cambodia will continue to promote mechanisms that focus on strengthening practical joint activities based on openness, honesty, goodwill, solidarity and harmony in ASEAN to effectively resolve the common challenges that our entire region is facing,” he said.
More importantly, he added, with the strong support and solidarity of ASEAN member countries and external partners, Cambodia will strive to ensure tangible benefits for the region’s people without leaving anyone behind.
“Our immediate priority now is to ensure a more satisfactory outcome of ASEAN’s efforts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis with greater resilience. Our urgent task is to continue strengthening cooperation in carrying out measures under the five comprehensive strategies of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, including: (1) strengthening health system, (2) strengthening human security, (3) expanding the potential of ASEAN markets and broader economic integration, (4) accelerating inclusive digital information, and (5) taking a step towards a sustainable and resilient future,” he underlined.
Furthermore, the Premier expressed Cambodia’s intention to accelerate the process of ASEAN Community building by focusing on achieving key goals and initiatives already agreed under the detailed plans of the three ASEAN pillars by 2025, including the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV. “At the same time, we are committed to making ASEAN an important region for trade, investment and global supply chains by maximising the benefits of existing free trade agreements and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) recently signed,” he said.
“As we prepare the groundwork for the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, Cambodia will continue to push for a more vibrant and harmonious ASEAN Community. We will strive to enhance the protection of migrant workers and increase support for a green and inclusive development agenda. The transition to digital technology for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women and youth entrepreneurship are the areas on which we need to focus,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen pointed out.
MSMEs are the backbone of our local economy and represent 99 percent of all business entities, mostly owned by women (60 percent in Cambodia) and employ more than 80 percent of labour force in the ASEAN member countries, he said, adding that supporting this sector will not only help restore and promote sustainable economic growth, but also ensure that we do not fail to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As there is a growing recognition that women have a role to play beyond socio-economic development, he continued, Cambodia will push for support for the Women for Peace and Security Agenda. In addition, we wish to enhance ASEAN’s international reputation and its active contribution to peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations under the UN umbrella through activities such as humanitarian mine action, while the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre can play an important role.
“Cambodia appreciates ASEAN as an organisation with a vision to the outside world. As we strive to unite all Southeast Asian nations into one strong family, we will also strive to further deepen and broaden our relations and cooperation with external partners in the spirit of equality, mutual interests and respect. Cambodia will seek to explore the potential for enhancing partnerships with existing ASEAN Dialogue Partners and expanding the ASEAN external partnership list based on ASEAN principles, including the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. To overcome negative geopolitical trends, we are committed to enhancing an agenda that promotes the spirit of cooperation and support for the ASEAN centrality, as well as regional peace, stability and progress,” said Samdech Techo Prime Minister.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

Cambodia and Vietnam have signed a supplementary clause and agreed on further mutual support to foster bilateral security cooperation.
The move took place in a recent videoconference between Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng and his counterpart General To Lam, Politburo Member and Minister of Public Security of Vietnam.
The supplementary clause is expected to guide the bilateral security cooperation in 2021 between the two neighbours.
The two sides agreed to continue ensuring border security by promoting measures to prevent illegal crossing as well as to maintain order and transform the shared borderline into a peaceful development area.
The two leaders are also committed to further cooperate in building capacity of the armed forces, exchange visits of senior delegations and suppression of all kinds of transnational crimes, especially drug offenses, and human trafficking.
They also exchanged appreciation of the good cooperation so far, acknowledging its significant results and achievements, including mutual support in the fight against the COVID-19.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

Private sector workers who are members of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will be entitled to retirement fund when they are retiring from work.
The news was shared by H.E. Heng Sophannarith, the Head of NSSF’s Policy Division of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training during a meeting yesterday.
He added that the entitled package for private sector workers will be the same as that of the civil servants.
“This proves an attention by the Royal Government of Cambodia under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen who always cares about the welfare and living standards of the people, especially workers,” he said.
H.E. Heng Sophannarith also shared about the progress of the implementation of the social security schemes, including those that covered occupational risks and health care by the private sector.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press