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Multilateralism Key to Addressing World’s “Interconnected, Proliferated Challenges,” Says Cambodia
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Multilateralism is crucial to addressing the world’s “interconnected and proliferated challenges,” especially with the “daunting task” in the aftermath of the global and financial storm, Cambodia said Tuesday in New York.
“The global and economic and financial storm seems to be over, but the task of restoring confidence and making economic recovery is far from complete and remains a daunting task, especially for the developing countries,” Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Hor Namhong was quoted as saying by Chinese News Agency Xinhua while addressing the annual general debate of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, which entered its fifth day Tuesday.
The achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight anti-poverty targets, remains “uncertain,” because of the fragile economic recovery in these countries, H.E. Hor Namhong said.
“The failure to meet the MDGs by 2015 means that millions of people will still be locked in the cycle of poverty,” he said. “Therefore, as the economic recovery is happening, a joint effort for concrete actions is needed to further boost confidence and keep up the momentum of the global economic growth.”
With climate change, the issue presents a “major challenge” for every country, particularly for poor countries, H.E. Hor Namhong said. “We see daily, more and more headline news and reports on chaotic weather worldwide.”
He added that with the lack of financial resources devoted to agriculture, as well as the lack of access to agro-technologies and irrational use of water sources, it has become catalysts of food security.
“Given the most serious emerging global challenges, the United Nations must be ready to fulfill its growing responsibilities to tackle these complex issues of the world,” he urged. --AKP
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DPM Hor Namhong To Meet with His French Counterpart
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Hor Namhong will meet with French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs H.E. Bernard Kouchner on Oct. 1 in Paris, France.
There will be a signing ceremony of a document on the Cooperation between Cambodia and France and a working luncheon following the talks, according to a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated yesterday. --AKP
(By SOKMOM Nimul)
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American Assistance Helps Cambodia Achieve MDGs
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- The U.S.’ assistance to Cambodia has contributed to help the country in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in fighting against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia H.E. Long Visalo said at the signing ceremony of amendments to two bilateral agreements that will provide US$35.10 million in 2010 funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support the fields of health and education in Cambodia.
The amendments were signed here on Sept. 28 by H.E. Long Visalo and USAID Mission Director Mr. Flynn Fuller in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Mrs. Carol A. Rodley.
Of the total amount, over US$33.5 million will be used to support and strengthen the health sector and the rest to the basic education sector, said Undersecretary of State and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Koy Kuong.
The U.S. has pledged to assist the field of health until 2011 and the field of education until 2013 with the total amount of US$277 million, said the spokesman, adding that up to now, some US$235 million have already provided to Cambodia.
He further recalled that on Sept. 19, 2010, Cambodia was presented with a Millennium Development Goals Awards for its national leadership, commitment and progress towards achievement of Goal 6 – Combating HIV, malaria and other diseases, he recalled.
According to a study of the Overseas Development Institute and the United Nations Millennium Campaign, Cambodia has been among other 20 countries making great progress on MDGs.
Acting Foreign Minister H.E. Long Visalo expressed profound thanks to the American government for its contribution to the strengthening of Cambodia’s priorities in health and education, the main factors to alleviate poverty and to develop human resource for the socio-economic development.
In addition to health and education activities, USAID supports a broad range of programs designed to benefit all Cambodians in areas such as human rights, rule of law, local governance and decentralization, anti-corruption, natural resource management, economic growth, and combating trafficking in persons, said a news release of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, indicating that USAID expects to commit a total of US$69 million in assistance to Cambodia in 2010. --AKP
(By SOKMOM Nimul)
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Hong Kong Willing to Enhance Trade Cooperation with Cambodia
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Hong Kong could be an essential platform or focal point for Cambodia to develop its business relations with China and the global markets, Tina Phan, the director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to Indochina, said during a seminar on “Hong Kong-Your Fast Track to Business Success” in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
“Cambodia can use Hong Kong’s platform to bridge its trade activities into China or globally,” Tina Phan was quoted by Chinese News Agency Xinhua as telling more than 200 Cambodian businesspeople in the seminar, who are in the businesses of jewelry, entertainment, film productions, music productions, and handicraft.
“We are the trading firm for you in financial sector, logistics and transportations; thus, Cambodia can use the expertise from Hong Kong to develop its businesses.”
To date, roughly 50 Cambodian companies have been doing business in Hong Kong – quite low if compared to Vietnam.
“We are here today to introduce what Hong Kong could help Cambodia to develop its international businesses,” she added.
“I believe that Cambodia is one of the emerging markets and there will be a lot of opportunities for both side businessmen to cooperate in business purposes.” --AKP
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Cambodia To Send Peacekeeping Forces to Lebanon
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia will dispatch its troops to join the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon in early October, a senior government said yesterday.
More than 90 trucks together with demining equipments departed from Kampong Speu province’s military base yesterday to Preah Sihanouk Ville Autonomous Seaport, where the UN vessel is scheduled to ship them to Lebanon in early October, said H.E. Prak Sokhon, delegate minister attached to the prime minister and chairman of the National Committee for Coordinating Affairs with UN Peacekeeping Mission.
Twenty-Cambodian advanced mission team will leave here for Lebanon in mid October to prepare for 219 Cambodian blue beret troops, who will join UN Peacekeeping Mission there. --AKP
(By KHAN Sophirom)
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ADB Forecasts Cambodia’s GDP Growth at 5 Pct This Year
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Asian Development Bank (ADB) raises Cambodia’s GDP growth to 5 percent for 2010 – 0.5 percent up from its April’s forecast of 4.5 percent, according to the updated Asian Development Outlook 2010 released on Tuesday.
“Cambodia’s economic growth in 2010 is now forecast at 5 percent because of solid growth in garment exports and tourist arrivals,” Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted the updated Asian Development Outlook 2010 as saying.
The U.S. Department of Commerce figures indicate that garment imports from Cambodia in the first seven months of this year increased by over 10 percent in the U.S. dollar terms, and by about 24 percent in volume terms, compared with the same period of last year, said the report.
Tourist arrivals rose by 12.4 percent in the first 6 months of 2010. However, growth in construction remains subdued and agricultural production is expected to be hurt by the late arrival of the rain this year, added the updated report.
ADB also forecast Cambodia’s growth is projected at around 6 percent in 2011, reflecting forecast increases in garment exports and tourism receipts, and expansion of rice exports following a new rice production and export policy, and a pickup in non-garment manufacturing and some other services sub-sectors.
The report noticed that the inflation has been more subdued than expected in April, so that the full-year forecast for 2010 is trimmed to 4 percent. Next year, inflation is likely to edge higher to about 5 percent, in step with economic activity.
It said that the gross foreign reserves edged up to nearly US$2.5 billion in the first seven months of 2010 from the end of 2009, equivalent to about four months of projected imports. --AKP
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Cambodia Hosts Seminar on Internet Management and KHNIC Development
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia organized here on Sept. 27 an ASEAN Seminar on Internet Management and Development of Cambodia Network Information Center (KHNIC) in the presence of Secretary of State for the Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications H.E. Chin Bunsean.
The one-day seminar was attended by five ASEAN countries – Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
The seminar was aimed to end the KHNIC development project and to present a report to ASEAN, said Mov Chariya, general director of Posts and Telecommunications, adding that KHNIC will begin its works in late 2010 or early 2011. --AKP
(By LIM Nary)
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Japan Provides Cambodia a Rice Husk Carbonized Machine
Phnom Penh, September 29, 2010 AKP -- The Japanese Kansai Corporation through Japanese C&N Business in Cambodia has provided a rice husk carbonized machine to the Royal University of Agriculture.
The handover ceremony was held here on Sept. 27 in the presence of Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Ty Sokun, Rector of the Royal University of Agriculture Dr. Ngor Bunthan, and President of C&N Business Mr. Kenzo Hamada.
According to an expert, the rice husk carbonized machine is used to produce rice husk carbon, which is then used as fertilizer in improving land quality for agricultural plants. --AKP
(By CHEA Vannak)
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