Wednesday, 15 December 2010

AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press


via CAAI

AKP/01

China, Cambodia Agree to Build Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- China and Cambodia on Monday agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The consensus was reached during talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in the Great Hall of the People, downtown Beijing, Chinese News Agency Xinhua reported.

“Facing the complicated regional and international situation, China and Cambodia should share the opportunities, and join hands in coping with the challenges and promoting peace and development,” said Wen.

He said China and Cambodia have forged closer bilateral relations in recent years with frequent high-level contacts, close cooperation on issues involved each other’s major concerns and common interests, increasing political and strategic mutual trust, and expanding pragmatic cooperation.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his appreciation to China for its long-term support and assistance to Cambodia. He said Cambodia hoped to continue to have close contact with China at all levels, enhance mutual trust and deepen comprehensive cooperation.

He also vowed that Cambodia would continue to abide by the one-China policy and respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wen welcomed Cambodia to make full use of the free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and expand investment in China.

Wen said the government would encourage Chinese companies to increase investment in Cambodia and help in its construction of special economic zones. China will look to expand cooperation with Cambodia in areas including agriculture, infrastructure construction, finance and human resources, and continue to provide assistance, he added.

The Chinese premier called on the two sides to increase per annum bilateral trade to US$2.5 billion by 2015. For the first half of this year, bilateral trade was worth US$627 million, up more than 37 percent.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Cambodia welcomed China’s investment and wanted to export agricultural products to China.

Wen also called on the two countries to strengthen coordination within various regional mechanisms and on coping with non-traditional security threat, so as to maintain their common interest.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Cambodia will work with China to promote ASEAN-China ties and maintain regional peace and stability.

After the talks, officials from the two countries signed 13 deals on cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, finance and consular affairs.

Last from Dec. 13 to 17, this was Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s third official China visit since taking office.

Besides Beijing, Prime Minister Hun Sen will also visit north China’s Tianjin Muicipality and east China’s Jiangsu Province. --AKP

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AKP/02

DPM Sok An Meets French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, H.E. Sok An received here last Wednesday visiting Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry of the Republic of France H.E. Pierre Lellouche.

In the meeting, H.E. Pierre Lellouche, accompanied by French ambassador to Cambodia and four representatives of French potential investors, informed H.E. Sok An that the purposes of his two-day visit to Cambodia (Dec. 7-8) is to explore and promote bilateral economic cooperation between Cambodia and France, according to the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers.

H.E. Pierre Lellouche said that, having relationship with Cambodia, France is currently conducting the studies on three sectors, namely energy, infrastructure and communication including the flight of France Airline to Cambodia in the coming March 2011 and the production of food in agricultural sector.

On that occasion, the Cambodian deputy prime minister told the French delegation that the policy of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the wise leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen is to support all investors without discrimination. He said that Cambodia is a country of great potentiality in agricultural sector, for more than 80 percent of the Cambodian people are doing farming, including rice, rubber and other agricultural products.

H.E. Sok An also informed the delegates that, currently, what the Cambodian people have as additional productions are vegetables and fruits, and requested the French counterpart to help facilitate these products to get into the European markets.

He further informed the guests about the success of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which had just been ended in Phnom Penh, under the organization of the Cambodian People’s Party. The delegates attending the ICAPP conference had highly appreciated the brilliant leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in building the country and building peace and uniting the nation. They considered Cambodia’s experience as a model for problem-solving in other countries.

Furthermore, the Cambodian deputy prime minister told H.E. Pierre Lellouche that the situation along the border area of the Preah Vihear Temple had eased and returned to what it was like before July 15, 2008 after four rounds of meetings between Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva.

H.E. Sok An also expressed his gratitude to France for her aid and investment contributing to economic and human resource development in Cambodia.

In 2010, in the framework of cooperation between Cambodia and France, there have been three signed agreements, one of which is Supplementary Agreement on Angkor Heritage Project and Sustainable Development with supplementary fund of 400,000 Euro in order to complete the repair work of Baphuon Temple in Angkor Thom area. The second one is Cooperation Convention on Project against Fake Products Harmful to Health and Security in the Mekong sub-region with 123,500-Euro fund, signed on June 22, 2010. The third one is Roadmap on Cooperation between Cambodia and France from 2011-2013, signed on Oct. 1, 2010 between the foreign ministers of the two countries, with the aim of advancing development cooperation to economic cooperation.

On the same day, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry of France H.E. Pierre Lellouche also met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Hor Namhong. --AKP

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AKP/03

NPMEC Holds Meeting on the IPC

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia’s National Center for
Peacekeeping Forces and ERW Clearance (NPMEC) held a meeting on the Initial Planning Conference (IPC) here yesterday to prepare the Command Post Exercise (CPX).

In cooperation with the headquarters of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), the meeting took place as part of a multinational peacekeeping exercise of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) 2011 to be held next year under the auspice of the U.S. army.

Speaking at the meeting Gen. Sem Sovanny, NPMEC chairman said the “Angkor Sentinel 2011” will be held next year at which the United States Army Pacific will be the main partner.

He said Cambodia is satisfied with the success of the previous and first military exercise.

The meeting was also attended by Col. Robert Dunton, representative of USARPAC.

The initiative plan for the next military exercise will be held in May 2011.

Cambodia conducted for the first time in July this year the large scale U.S. sponsored military exercise which was participated by some 1,000 military personnel from more than 20 countries. --AKP

By THOU Peou

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AKP/04

Vietnam Wishes to Further Create Taxi Company in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- Mailinh Company of Vietnam is intended to further create a seven-seat taxi company in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh capital.

The intention was made known here on Dec. 13 by Mr. Ho Huy, director of Mailinh Company during the meeting with H.E. Kep Chutema, Phnom Penh governor.

During the meeting, Mr. Ho Huy briefed H.E. Kep Chutema on his company’s four-year operation in Cambodia. Mailinh has been investing in the U.S., Africa, Laos and Cambodia, he said.

In reply, H.E. Kep Chutema supported and encouraged the Vietnamese company to directly work with the government of Cambodia. --AKP

By LIM Nary

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AKP/05

Cambodia To Establish Jewelry and Gem Quality Testing Lab

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia is planning to build a US$10-million laboratory to check and test the quality of precious stones, according to Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce H.E. Cham Prasidh.

Last Friday, H.E. Cham Prasidh and Dr. Wolfhard Hauser, chief executive officer of Intertek Testing Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding on this jewelry and gem quality testing lab project.

The lab is aimed to promote the country’s jewelry and gem trade, said the Cambodian minister, stressing that through the MoU, Intertek Testing Services will help build the lab and provide technical assistance to Cambodia.

Dr. Wolfhard Hauser said Intertek is a London-based international testing company. It has offices in over 130 countries and employs around 26,000 staff. --AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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AKP/06

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open 2010 Ends

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open 2010, a golf tournament, was wrapped up on Dec. 12 in Siem Reap province.

The closing ceremony of the four-day tournament was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister H.E. Tea Banh, and Minister of Tourism and President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia H.E. Thong Khon.

Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Tea Banh praised the Ministry of Tourism and Siem Reap provincial authority for their cooperation with Phokeethra Country Club, the Asian Tours, Sofitel Hotel and Johnnie Walker in organizing this event.

Mr. Thong Jaidee from Thailand won the first prize with US$47,550, Mr. Kanichi Kuboya from Japan took the second with US$32,500 and Mr. Kim Hyung Sung from South Korea took the third with US$18,300 at the final tournament.

Some 132 professional golfers from 25 Asian and European countries have joined in the competition. --AKP

By Théng

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AKP/07

Tennis Tournament for Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup 2010 Concluded

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2009 AKP -- The 15th Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup was concluded at the Tennis Training Center in Phnom Penh on Dec. 12.

Mr. Khit Sypin, a media officer of the Cambodian Tennis Federation, told reporters that the nine-day tournament was attended by international professional tennis players from Vietnam, Thailand and the host country Cambodia.

Of the 77 players, 17 are foreigners, said Mr. Chea Pov, an organizer of the event.

As the result, Cambodian player, Mr. Bun Kini, won the first place and Timo Sivapruksa from Thailand took the second place at the final tournament.

The Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup is held annually at the Tennis Training Center in Phnom Penh. --AKP

By Théng

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AKP/08

Pro-orphan Performance Festival

Phnom Penh, December 14, 2010 AKP -- Approximately 140 art performers from nine countries, including Cambodia, joined hands in staging pro-orphan performance festival in Battambang province of Cambodia.

The festival was funded by various charity agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Ministry of Tourism. It took place from Dec. 9 to 12.

Phare Ponleu Selpack, the Cambodian circus training school, hosted the festival.

Starting with various performances on different main streets in the provincial town in the evening, series of circus was performed at night time at the Phare Ponleu Selpack office. Income from selling ticket fee to the festival-goers, as well as from orphan-made souvenir, food and beverage stalls will be used to sponsor hundred of Cambodian orphans.

The festival is also designed to preserve the circus arts in Cambodia and to give the nine country troupes the opportunity to act in front of an audience, get training and meet other artistes to share their experiences, according to Mr. Khuon Det, director of Phare Ponleu Selpack.

It will also help foster the performers’ competitive spirit and their creativity, he added. --AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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