AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

Samdech Chea Sim Meets Thai and Lao Ambassadors

Phnom Penh, October 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia’s Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim received here today newly appointed Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Prasas Prasasvinitchai.

In the meeting, Samdech Chea Sim welcomed the diplomatic mission of H.E. Prasas Prasasvinitchai in Cambodia. He was convinced that through this mission, the ties of friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand will be improved.

All problems between both countries should be resolved by peaceful means, he said.

In reply, the Thai diplomat said the recent talks with Cambodian and Thai prime ministers will help solve all problems peacefully.

H.E. Prasas Prasasvinitchai pledged to do his utmost to further strengthen and expand the friendship and cooperation between the two neighboring Kingdoms, and to promote the bilateral cooperation in the fields of health and education.

On the same day, Samdech Chea Sim also met with newly appointed Lao Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Yaseng Lao.

On the occasion, the Cambodian head of state thanked the Lao government for its support to Cambodia’s development.

For his part, H.E. Yaseng Lao was committed to try his best to further promote the cooperation in all fields between Cambodia and Laos. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Afghanistan Learns about Cambodia’s Food Security Management

Phnom Penh, October 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodian Senior Minister H.E. Tao Seng Hour, first vice president of the Council for the Rural and Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development, met here on Oct. 4 with visiting Afghan Vice Minister of Techniques Mr. Ghani Ghuriani.

The Afghan delegation led by Mr. Ghani Ghuriani, has been being here for a three-day visit to learn about food security and nutrition management in Cambodia, which is recognized by its notable progress in setting up mechanisms to manage food security.

H.E. Tao Seng Hour warmly welcomed the visit of the Afghan delegation and pledged to provide cooperation and to share Cambodia’s experiences related to food security issue to the Afghan delegation in an effort to help strengthen food security in the region.

H.E. Srun Darith, secretary general of the Council for the Rural and Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development, said Cambodia’s food security and nutrition management has attracted many regional countries’ attention.

The key point is that Cambodia has coordination mechanism, which plays principal role, correct strategic framework, information management system and training mechanism to raise awareness, he explained.

At the national level, food security and nutrition has been improved as Cambodia has over three million tons of rice surplus, but at the local level, approximately 20 percent of people are facing food insecurity, he said.

However, he added, this problem lasts only for a short period of time and the royal government has been setting up strategic plan to help them.

In late August 2010, the delegations from Laos and Myanmar also came to Cambodia to learn about its food security management. --AKP

(By LIM Nary)

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NBC Governor Leaves for IMF and WB Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

Phnom Penh, October 5, 2010 AKP -- Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) H.E. Chea Chanto left here last Saturday for the U.S. to join the 2010 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WB) to be held from Oct. 8 to 10 in Washington D.C.

This is an annual forum attended by governors of the central banks and finance ministers of the 187 member countries of IMF to discuss world challenges such as world economic perspectives, poverty elimination, economic development and assistance efficiency.

The IMF and WB Annual Meetings are very important for NBC because this international forum will provide opportunities to leaders of the central banks of industrial, agro-industrial and developing countries to exchange experiences on challenges to banking and financial system management.

According to an NBC official, H.E. Chea Chanto will also participate in the SEA-LAC Central Bank Governors’ Meeting on Oct. 6 and the 43rd Meeting on monetary and development issues on Oct. 8. --AKP

(By OU Sokha)

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Ministry of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Use Ten Species of Rice Seeds

Phnom Penh, October 5, 2010 AKP -- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Chan Sarun yesterday urged local farmers to use ten selected species of rice seeds.

Speaking at a national consultative workshop attended by 70 rice experts and rice millers, H.E. Chan Sarun said his ministry has determined ten important local species of rice seeds including Sen Pidor, IR66, Chulsar, Pkar Rumduol, Pkar Romdeng, Pkar Romeat, Pkar Chan Sen Sor, Raing Chey, Kha 4 and Kha 6.

According to H.E. Chan Sarun, those rice seeds are the main potential to promote Cambodia’s rice production and export. He therefore encouraged the ministry’s officials and experts to introduce those rice seeds to the farmers.

The royal government in mid August was committed to transform Cambodia into a stockpile country for rice and a major rice exporter to the world’s markets by increasing the paddy surplus to over 4 million tons a year by 2015, of them at least one million tons of rice for export. --AKP

(By KHAN Sophirom)

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Japan To Provide Arsenic Removing Equipment to Cambodia

Phnom Penh, October 5, 2010 AKP -- Japan will equip 16 places in three Cambodian provinces – Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, and Kandal – with arsenic removing equipment.

The arsenic removing equipment, which provides clean and safe water for drinking and daily use, costs US$9,000 each, said Ryosuke Takeda, CEO of Aqua Design System Co., Ltd. that assembles the equipment.

The project, which is part of the Removing Arsenic from Groundwater Using High Performance Iron Absorbent Project, will take place from Dec. 20, 2010 to early Jan. 2011, in Peam Ror district of Prey Veng, Kampong Seam district of Kampong Cham, and Kien Svay district of Kandal province. --AKP

(By CHEA Vannak)