Thursday, 7 October 2010

AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press


via CAAI

France To Continue to Support Cambodia

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- France will continue to help develop Cambodia, especially in encouraging investors and tourists to the Kingdom, and in promoting bilateral educational cooperation.

The affirmation was made here today by out-going French Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Jean-François Desmazières during a farewell meeting with Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim.

The French diplomat also highly evaluated and congratulated Cambodia on its rapid development. He profoundly thanked the Cambodian people and government officials for their cooperation for the success of his mission.

In reply, the Cambodian acting head of state highly appreciated H.E. Jean-François Desmazières’ diplomatic mission, through which he said the ties of friendship and cooperation in all domains between the two countries have been further strengthened and expanded.

He expressed deep thanks to the French government and people for their contribution to Cambodia’s development and peace-seeking process.

On the same day, Samdech Chea Sim received newly appointed Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Soehardjono Sastramihardjo.

Samdech Chea Sim warmly welcomed the diplomatic mission of H.E. Soehardjono Sastramihardjo to Cambodia, which he said will help foster the friendship and cooperation between both countries.

He deeply thanked Indonesia for its support to the development and human resource training, particularly to the peace-seeking process in Cambodia.

For his part, the Indonesian ambassador pledged to try his best to promote the relations and cooperation in all fields between Cambodia and Indonesia. He also praised the Cambodian leaders for their endeavors in developing the country. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Second Meeting between Cambodian and Thai Prime Ministers

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has held talks with his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva on the sidelines of the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held on Oct. 4-5 in Brussels, Belgium.

The two premiers have discussed about the redeployment of troops so that the situation could return to that before July 15, 2008, Sry Thamrong, delegate minister attached to the prime minister, was quoted as saying by the National Television of Cambodia (TVK).

Both sides have also agreed to meet again in late October this year on the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in order to find ways to tackle the remaining problems, he added.

On the occasion, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has informed Samdech Techo Hun Sen that the Thai side had invited Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith and other Cambodian journalists to pay a visit in Thailand in mid October.

This was the second talks between the two leaders. The first talks, held on Sept. 24, 2010 in New York, helped reduce the tension between the two neighboring countries and increase mutual trust. --AKP

(By KHAN Sophirom)

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More Japanese Fund for UXOs Disposal in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- The Japanese government has provided over 67 million Yen, approximately US$720,107, to Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) for the Project for Supporting Explosive Ordnance (UXOs) Disposal in Cambodian provinces of Siem Reap, Kampong Speu and Takeo.

The grant contract was signed here yesterday at the Embassy of Japan by Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Kuroki Masafumi and JMAS Resident Representative Mr. Watanabe Eiki.

On the occasion, the Japanese diplomat recalled that Japan has provided both financial and technical support to mine-clearance and UXOs disposal activities in Cambodia.

But, he said, the number of victims of mine and UXOs remains high, more than 200 a year.

This project will not only help gather up and destroy the UXOs, but also educate people about the danger of the UXOs, he stressed. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Ajinomoto Packaging Factory Inaugurated

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- The Ajinomoto Company of Japan has invested US$6 million to build a seasoning packaging factory in Cambodia.

Mr. Ichiro Nishimura, chairman of Ajinomoto (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. told the opening ceremony of the company and the factory held here on Oct. 5.

Located on an area of over 31,000 square meters in the special economic zone, south of Phnom Penh along the National Road 4, the factory could wrap up around 10,000 tons of Ajinomoto seasoning and employ more than 200 Cambodian workers, said the company’s report.

Cambodian Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy H.E. Suy Sem, who presided over the opening ceremony, welcomed the inauguration of the company and the packaging factory.

This is the fruit of confidence from Japanese investors in Cambodia and an achievement of the Cambodia-Japan economic cooperation, he said.

According to Mr. Ichiro Nishimura, Ajinomoto has been present in Cambodia since 2001. --AKP

(By CHEA Vannak)

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Cambodia to Double Rice Exports to Europe

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia, one of Asia’s leading rice producers, said its rice exports to Europe is expected to hit 40,000 tons this year, Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted IBT’s Commodity Online as reporting on Monday.

A Cambodian Trade delegation, composed of government officials and industry representatives, has attracted buyers to discuss deals, it said.

Cambodia is looking for foreign investors to boost its fledgling rice milling sector so that it can reap higher dividends from its grain crop, much of which is currently sent to Vietnam to be milled and re-exported.

Last month, US$583,000 worth of rice was shipped from Cambodia to Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Estonia, according to IBT (International Business Times).

It said that Cambodia’s Small and Medium Industries Association aims to ship a total of 7,000 to 10,000 tons to European countries, including France, Lithuania, Germany, Estonia and Latvia during the rest of 2010.

Representatives of nine rice millers, including two private companies and four government representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, visited Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland from Sept. 22 to 24 in search of opportunities for rice exports, IBT reported.

The visit also allowed industry insiders to meet with European rice traders and distributors to learn more about the regulations and quality standards required to access the European market.

The delegation found that trust and reliability was the most important issue for European buyers, especially with regard to filling deliveries on schedule. Ensuring quality standards and competitive pricing were also primary concerns for European dealers. --AKP

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Cambodia To Celebrate Pchum Ben Festival This week

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2010 AKP -- “Pchum Ben” Festival or the Festival for the Dead is the second biggest ceremony for the Cambodian people in the entire country after the “Chaul Chhnam Thmei” (Khmer New Year).

This religious festival is to be celebrated this year on Oct. 8. In fact, the whole festival lasts 15 days. During the first 14 days, called Kan Ben, people or villagers take turns to offer food to monks in nearby pagodas in hope that the offerings will reach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the Buddhist monk sermons. But the most important is the last day of the Pchum Ben on which all Cambodian Buddhist followers, the rich as well as the poor, manage to prepare food and other offerings for their visits to pagodas. --AKP

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