AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

Senate President Presides Over the 19th Buddhist Monks General Assembly

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- The 19th Buddhist Monks General Assembly was held at Chaktomuk Conference Hall in Phnom on Jan. 3 in the presence of Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim.

The assembly takes place for two days, during which the Buddhist works implemented in the past by the monks were reviewed, the discussion relating to the current Buddhist field was held and the objective for strengthening the management structure was set, said H.E. Min Khin, minister of Cults and Religion.

In his remarks at the function, Samdech Chea Sim treated Buddhism as a path leading to a good behavior and harmonious society, thus contributing to the strengthening the good governance and the social works of the royal government.

The Senate president appreciated the Buddhist followers for training and educating themselves as having said in the Buddhism observance of the “Tripitaka” (Three Baskets).

He also urged the Cambodian countrymen to remove all bad feelings and behaviors by taking the Buddhism discipline for the peaceful living and harmony in the society.

Now, about 56,300 monks served in 4,466 Wats (Pagodas) in Cambodia, according to a report delivered by the Ministry of Cults and Religion. --AKP

By THOU Peou

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AKP/02

South Korean Bank Provides Fund for Dam Development Project

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- The Export-Import Bank of Korea has provided a total loan of approximately US$19 million for the Mongkol Borey Dam Development project and a hydro-electricity plant in Battambang province, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Keat Chhon signed here last Friday the loan agreement with a representative of the bank.

The loan agreement worth of US$18.7 million will be used for the Mongkol Borey Dam development project and a hydro-electricity plant construction project in Battambang province, said H.E. Keat Chhon, indicating that it is the 10th of its kind, bringing the total number of aid from the Republic of Korea to Cambodia since 2001 to US$268 million.

The above said project is part of the royal government’s efforts to cope with the impacts of the global financial crisis, he said, adding that the project will also support the government policy in promoting the rice production and export. --AKP

By Neou

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AKP/03

Government Confers Top Appreciation Award to GTZ

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Keat Chhon conferred here on Dec. 31, 2010 Cambodia’s top appreciation award to the German Development Cooperation (GTZ) for the organization’s committed partnership to fasten the country’s poverty reduction.

“GTZ has brought about various quality achievements and acted as government’s key development partners. Those achievements are government’s priorities to fight the poverty,” said H.E. Keat Chhon when awarding the German organization at the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

As a priority development partner of the Royal Government of Cambodia, GTZ has been implementing a wide range of development projects at all levels in Cambodia with primary funding source from the Federal Republic of Germany.

From 1992 to 2009, Germany has granted assistance to Cambodia with the total amount of US$280 million, making the country the fifth top aid donor to Cambodia after China, Japan, the United States of America and France. --AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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AKP/04

Information Minister Visits Deaf and Dumb Pupils in Kampong Cham

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith and his spouse together with government officials from the Ministry of Information held a get-together today with deaf and dumb pupils at Kampong Cham’s Kruosar Thmey School for Deaf and Dumb Children.

Speaking on the occasion, the Cambodian Information minister said the government has paid keen attention to the well-being and the future of the disabled people.

“At least 1 to 2 percent of employment shall be reserved for the disabled in Cambodia or a fine shall be applied on any refusal to recruit the capable disabled applicants,” H.E. Khieu Kanharith said.

Wishing them the best for the year of 2011, the minister gave away donation to the 170 disabled pupils and all staff of the school.

The school hosts about 170 deaf and dumb children, staffed by 27 education officers with class ranging from 1st through 8th grade of general education. --AKP

By OUK Kimseng

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AKP/05

CMAC To Begin Exploring UXO This Month

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- Under the financial support from the government of Norway, Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) will begin exploring unexploded ordnance (UXO) this month in some provinces.

This is the first time that CMAC set to explore UXO and explosive remnants of war, said yesterday Mr. Heng Ratana, director general of CMAC.

We have so far conducted exploration only on mine-suspected areas, but as the number of UXO victims has increased, we have decided to search for the number of UXO and explosive remnants of war throughout the country, he explained.

The one-year UXO’s exploration will start in Kampong Cham, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces at the total cost of more than US$200,000, he said.

According to CMAC, there were 260 victims of UXO during the first eleven months of 2010, of them 70 were killed, 129 were injured and 41 were crippled, showing an increase of 50 victims if compared to the same period of 2009. --AKP

By LIM Nary

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AKP/06

Organic Food on the Rise in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, January 4, 2011 AKP -- Demand for organic food products is increasing in Phnom Penh, according to a CEDAC (Cambodian Center for the Study and Development of Agriculture) market facilitator.

“The amount of organic vegetables and meat produced is lower than the emerging demand for it – thanks to people’s awareness of the benefit of organic food products,” said CEDAC market facilitator Lang Seng Horn on Jan. 1.

As an organic agricultural product supplier, CEDAC’s endeavor to introduce environment-and-health friendly food items in Cambodia since 1997 has seen the sign of success.

The organization as of now has been working with 3,000 families in the rural areas to produce agricultural food products without using chemical fertilizer. The outputs from these families are channeled to CEDAC markets in Phnom Penh.

For the organic rice supply alone, it increases from 1,500 tons in 2009 to 2,500 tons in 2010.

“In 2011, CEDAC will establish another 20 markets of this kind,” said Mr. Lang Seng Horn adding that the organization planned to expand to 200 markets in 2015 across the country. --AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil