Thursday, 5 March 2009

The Phnom Penh Post News In Brief

In Brief: Rural trade fair to start

Written by Kay Kimsong
Thursday, 05 March 2009

A rural trade fair will take place across four provinces over the next two months in a bid to boost trade within Cambodia. The events should see 60 booths showcasing the best in local goods. Curtis Hundley, head of Cambodia Strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a body set up to promote rural trade development, said the fair would start in Kampot on Saturday, before moving to Kratie and then Siem Reap, eventually finishing in Battambang. "We aim to promote domestic trade and create a fun time for local traders," Hundley said. It is funded by USAID.

In Brief: Electronics demand

Written by Hor Hab
Thursday, 05 March 2009

Electronics importer K Four is reporting a 50 percent fall in sales over the past six months on weak consumer demand. The company imports and wholesales Philips, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, and LG products. "Sales are down to about US$20,000 to $25,000 per day compared to US$40,000 to $50,000 before," said company spokesman Soun Ladang. "The company has seen this slowdown over the past six months," he said.


In Brief: Buying confidence down

Written by George McLeod
Thursday, 05 March 2009

Thirty-nine percent of Cambodia's consumers are less optimistic than six months ago, according to a survey by Indochina Research. It selected 600 people each in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in January to gauge buying behaviour. Cambodia was second of the three countries with 27 percent giving a positive response and 25 percent saying the situation was unchanged. Laos was the most optimistic with 61 percent favourable, while among Vietnamese, 46 percent were less optimistic than before, the data showed.


In Brief: Three Foreigners charged on drugs

Written by Chann Chamroeun and Tom Hunter
Thursday, 05 March 2009

Two of three foreign nationals arrested last Friday in Wat Phnom commune were charged with drug dealing by Phnom Penh Municipal Court Wednesday. One Australian man also accused of the crime was absent from Wednesday's trial hearing. Judge Chhay Kong said that he charged Frenchman Hert Ossorto, an Australian and two women of Khmer and Vietnamese origin with drug charges. The case has been referred back to the court for further investigation.


In Brief: Accused german to face S'Ville court

Written by Chrann Chamroeun
Thursday, 05 March 2009

A 46-year-old German national, Walter Orson Novak, is to appear in court today on charges of child sex crimes after his arrest in Sihanoukville Tuesday, according to Suon Sophan, deputy chief of Preah Sihanouk province's Department of Anti-human trafficking and Juvenile Protection. Provincial deputy prison chief Vuon Nguon said Wednesday the provincial prison was holding two foreigners convicted of purchasing child prostitution and indecent acts against a minor, with another four under pretrial detention.


In Brief: NGO law ignores rights: group

Written by Sebastian Strangio
Thursday, 05 March 2009

The government's proposed NGO regulation law could undermine civil society's "solid foundations" in Cambodia, the Asian Human Rights Commission said Wednesday, requesting that the law accommodate the country's international human rights obligations. The Hong Kong-based group said that the law should "faithfully reflect" rights obligations set out in agreements to which Cambodia is a signatory. "Cambodian lawmakers should be reminded that civil society is essential for democracy and development," the statement said.

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