AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

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PM Supports ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan for 2011-2015

Phnom Penh, January 18, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has supported the 2011-2015 ASEAN tourism strategic plan.

The Cambodian premier expressed his support when he received here on Monday a delegation of ASEAN tourism ministers led by Indonesian Tourism Minister H.E. Jero Wacik, according to Ieng Sophalet, assistant to Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

During the meeting, H.E. Jero Wacik briefed Samdech Techo Hun Sen on the result of 30th ASEAN Tourism Forum hosted by Cambodia, which aims to further promote the cooperation between ASEAN member countries and between them and their partners.

In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed the result of the forum, saying that it reflects the solidarity among the ASEAN countries and their partners.

He also expressed his support to the reexamination of tourism strategy in the framework of the Great Mekong Sub-region. –AKP

By LIM Nary

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National Business Plan Competition Ends

Phnom Penh January 18, 2011 AKP – A national level competition on small- and medium-sized business plan wrapped up here last Friday under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers H.E. Sok An.

The competition began in July 2010 with the participation of over 100 student groups from different universities throughout the country, said Sok Puthivudh, rector of the University of Puthisastra and co-chairman of the National Business Plan.

Of the 100 groups, ten was selected for a four-month training and finally three groups won the contest, he said, adding that the first winner will then join a regional competition.

Addressing the ceremony, H.E. Sok An said the competition is a historical event for Cambodia and it helps bridge the intellectuals and businessmen in establishing and enhancing small-and medium-sized enterprises in Cambodia.

The competition, organized by the University of Puthisastra in collaboration with CIESF Foundation, was sponsored by WASEDA University of Japan and other universities and companies in Cambodia. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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EIC: Cambodia’s Economy Growth Reaches 6.5 Pts in 2010

Phnom Penh, January 18, 2011 AKP – The Cambodian economic growth reached 6.5 percent in 2010, affirmed an official of the Economic Institute of Cambodia (EIC) at a press conference held here on Jan. 17.

Mr. Khin Pisey, an EIC researcher, Cambodia’s economy has been returning to normal and last year, the country achieved 6.5 percent of economic growth, which is higher than the preliminary prediction by the royal government.

He attributed the growth rate to the improvement in the fields of rice and garment export, agro-industry and tourism. But, he said, the real estate and construction fields have not recovered yet.

For his part, EIC Director Noeu Seiha expressed his optimism towards the rice export, saying that this year, Cambodia is expected to export at least 100,000 tons of husked rice, against 40,000 tons in 2010.

He further urged for the creation of the paddy bank as an effort to prevent the flow of paddy to neighboring countries.

The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have predicted Cambodia’s economic growth at 5 percent in 2010 and 6 percent in 2011, while the prediction of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) is not so different – 4.8 percent in 2010 and 6.8 percent in 2011 for IMF; and 4.9 percent in 2010 and 6 percent this year for WB. — AKP

By Théng