Taking stock: Cambodia's exchange

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 21:15 Nguon Sovan

The government has said Cambodia’s first stock exchange will launch next July “at any cost”. As the country readies itself for the much-delayed bourse Inpyo Lee, project director of Korean Exchange, which holds a 45 percent stake in the Cambodian Securities Exchange, holds an interview with Nguon Sovan.

What still needs to be done for CSX to launch in July?

Our project is now running to the finish line. We have almost completed our information technology system development and are now in the final stage of testing.

We are about to ship all the IT equipment and materials from Korea to Cambodia.

In the meantime, the first CSX board members meeting will be held soon. Then we will decide when we will apply to SECC to get a licence for CSX.

However, we need to develop more macrostructure - such as a balanced banking and financial sector, and an advanced accounting system.

Moreover, potential companies for listing must be carefully examined. Another major issue is the education of potential investors, but CSX is preparing for that.

What have you observed about companies in Cambodia in terms of adherence to accounting standards, management systems and transparency? Are they qualified enough for listing?

For many companies, I think there is a long way to go to meet CSX requirements.

However, there are good, qualified companies that can be listed in the CSX next year – some companies already practice international

standards.

If many firms see the advantages of being listed on the exchange, then they will automatically follow the system...read the full interview in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated interview online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.

It's a wrap

Photo by: Mariam Arthur
David Bradley with KMY Films CEO Mariam Arthur in the actor's home town in Texas, 2006.

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 21:57 Brooke Lewis

A Hollywood talent cancelled acting classes scheduled to start Monday because Cambodian stars were too arrogant to concede that they needed to hone their craft, an organiser said yesterday.

The three-week method acting course was to be taught by American actor David Bradley, an ex-Karate champion who in 1989 “became a star after becoming the 2nd American Ninja in The American Ninja Part 3”, according to the Internet Movie Database.

But Marian Arthur, CEO of KMY Films, a Cambodian-based film distribution company, said yesterday that Bradley had cancelled his flight to the Kingdom because of low rates of enrolment in the classes.

“Many of the current actors did not sign up because they said they already know how to act,” she said in an email yesterday.

“Several others said they don’t care about learning how to act because they just used acting jobs to become celebrities and they if they learn to act they will have to actually work. They have lost my respect.”

She said she had approached Bradley, a personal friend, and asked him to teach the classes because she believed that Khmer actors would respond well to him.

“He really has that Asian Zen-like attitude,” she said. “He’s very quiet and very strong.”...read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Lakeside residents report scare tactics

Photo by: Will Baxter
Residents of Srah Chak commune pull down a home yesterday

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 22:27 Khouth Sophakchakrya

RESIDENTS of Srah Chak commune near Boeung Kak lake said yesterday that local authorities and masked employees of Shukaku Inc had resorted to using scare tactics in a bid to force them to accept inadequate compensation packages and leave their homes.

Kong Chan Tha, a 41-year-old resident of Village 24 in Srah Chak commune, located in Daun Penh district, said village chief Pong Heng and four masked women she believed worked for local developer Shukaku Inc had threatened residents on Monday, warning them that they needed to accept a standing compensation offer of US$8,500 and move away from the lakeside.

“They said we would not receive any compensation at all if we did not agree to move now,” she said. Five families agreed to move following the incident, she said.

Pong Heng “always urges us to accept the money and relocate”, said Ing Navy, a representative of Village 24. “We suspect that he might have received some bribes from the company’s owner.”

Yesterday, Pong Heng denied having accepted bribes from Shukaku Inc and having tried to scare families away. “The five families volunteered to move,” he said. “I have never received even one-quarter of a cent from the company.”...read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Workers cry abuse

Photo by: Sovan Philong
Buth Synoun, 31, of Kampot province, yesterday describes her lot in Malaysia. As a domestic servant, she said, she cleaned from 5am to midnight daily and was fed leftovers.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 22:59 Mom Kunthear

THE rights group Adhoc announced yesterday that it had received 28 complaints from women who claim to have been abused while working as domestic servants in Malaysia, a figure that it said marked a sharp increase over previous years.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Lim Mony, deputy director of Adhoc’s Women’s and Children’s Rights Programme, said the reports were indicative of a “lack of attention from the government and the Labour Ministry”, and that the recruitment firms that sent them abroad were also at fault.

“We see that the recruitment firms have never cared or followed up on the situation of the workers after they left to work in Malaysia,” she said.

Chan Krisna Sawada, the head of the Women’s and Children’s Rights Programme, said most complaints had been filed against the recruitment agencies after the women had returned from Malaysia.

She speculated this was likely because of concerns among the women that it would be difficult to pursue complaints against foreign employers.

“There is only one case that was filed against a Malaysian employer among the 28 cases that we got,” she said.

She added that the number of such complaints had risen dramatically this past year, but could not provide comparison figures from previous years.

Heng Bunnaren, a 27-year-old former domestic servant who appeared at the press conference, said she was sent to Malaysia in March after completing a training programme at Philimore, a local recruitment firm. She lasted for just three months of her two-year contract...read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours

President says India will cooperate with Cambodia in infrastructural projects

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NetIndian News Network
New Delhi, September 14, 2010

President Pratibha Patil speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador in Cambodia, Rajesh K. Sachdeva, at Phnom Phen, Cambodia on September 13, 2010

President Pratibha Patil has said that India was happy to cooperate with Cambodia in infrastructural projects as well as in projects related to conservation and preservation of historical monuments.

Speaking at a reception last night for the Indian community in Phnom Penh at the start of a State Visit to the country, Ms Patil noted that human resource development and capacity building had been the primary focus of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The President reached Phnom Penh yesterday after a four-day visit to Laos and is due to return home on September 18.

She said most of the historical and cultural monuments spread all over Cambodia spoke of the close Indian association made possible as a result of continuous interaction between navigators, merchants and intellectuals of the two countries over a period of two thousand years.

"One has heard so much about the grandeur of the world famous Angkor Wat and many astonishing architectural marvels such as Ta Prohm, Bayon and Banteay Srey. I and my delegation would be visiting Siem Reap where all these magnificent cultural monuments, which are glorious testimony to our common cultural heritage, are located," she said.

Ms Patil said she was informed that there were many commonalities in the day-to-day life of the people of Cambodia with Indians, such as language, customs and rituals. "This must be a product of our ancestors' willingness to learn from each other and is an indication of the everlasting bonds of friendship," she said.

She expressed happiness that the Governments of the two countries had strived to regain old historical bonds.

"In the 1950s, India was associated with the International Control Commission on Indo-China and our role as Co-Chairman was well appreciated. There were numerous high level exchanges between our two countries," she said.

She also spoke of the close friendly ties that existed between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and King Norodom Sihanouk, which paved the way for not only excellent bilateral ties, but also offered opportunities to the two leaders to exchange views on the role of newly liberated countries in the development of a peaceful world.

Ms Patil said everyone was aware of India's unwavering support to Cambodia not only in good times but also during the difficult period of its history.

"After the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, India was among the first countries to recognize President Heng Samrin's government and re-open its diplomatic mission in 1981. Since then, the Governments of India and Cambodia have worked together to expand and deepen our bilateral ties, through high level bilateral exchanges, as well as through interactions at regional and international fora," she noted.

She said that, over the years, the two countries had signed numerous agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation, and had also established mechanisms to exchange views and to review the status of ongoing projects.

The President appreciated the role played by the Government of Cambodia in India's engagement with the South-East Asian region. She recalled that India attained Summit level partnership with ASEAN under Cambodia's Chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2002, and a forthcoming Commemorative Summit in India to mark India's 20-year association with ASEAN too will be organized, during Cambodia's Chairmanship in 2012.

"India is satisfied with its friendly and cooperative ties with Cambodia and would continue to work for strengthening of these ties," she said.

Ms Patil had a special word of praise for people of Indian origin and non-resident Indians, saying they were amongst the best educated and most successful communities in the world.

She said India had the second largest diaspora, estimated at over 25 million, present in every major region of the world.

"We are proud of you, and aware of the important role the diaspora plays as a 'bridge' to access knowledge, expertise, resources and markets for the development of the country of their origin," she added.

India to help Cambodia build human resources

cia CAAI

Calcutta News.Net

Tuesday 14th September, 2010 (ANI)

Visiting President Pratibha Devising Patil today said that human resource development and capacity building are the primary focus of India-Cambodia bilateral cooperation for the last many years.

Earlier in the day, President Patil met Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Silver Pagoda Royal Palace here.

King Sihamohi sought India's help in the field of sustainable development, agriculture, water resources and information and technology.

Speaking at the State banquet hosted in her honour, President Patil said: "Human resource development and capacity building have been the primary focus of India-Cambodia bilateral cooperation for the last many years."

"India is cooperating with Cambodia in infrastructural projects, considered priority projects for the development of Cambodia, under concessional lines of credit. Today, we have signed an additional line of credit of 15 million dollars for the Stung Tassal Water Development Project in Cambodia," she said.

"As both our countries have large agrarian sectors, there is tremendous scope for co-operation in agriculture. Initiatives have also been undertaken to enhance economic engagement between our two countries. We need to encourage private sectors to pro-actively explore trade and investment opportunities," President Patil added.

The agreement was signed between EXIM bank director P. Dalal and Cambodia's Secretary of State in Ministry of Economy and Finance, Aun Porn Monirothe, to extend 15 million dollars credit for the Stung Tassal Water Development project.

Second agreement was signed by Indian Ambassador to Cambodia Rajesh Kr. Sachdeva and the Cambodian National Audit Authority in order to help the later in capacity building.

The agreements were signed to enhance economic engagements between the two countries. An Indian business delegation is also in Cambodia to achieve this objective.

Total trade between India and Cambodia in 2008-09 was 49.61 dollars. Major exports to Cambodia are drugs, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, cotton, staple fibres, rubber articles, precious metals, etc. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)

Ancient temple ruins dot Cambodia's countryside

In this photo taken Friday, July 16, 2010, Buddhist monks stroll through Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, about 143 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. More than 1-million visitors come annually to see the ancient temple remains that dot the sprawling Angkor region. For Cambodians, the temples are nothing less than a symbol of their nation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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9/14/2010

SIEM REAP, Cambodia — Tourists gather every day before dawn to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, a 12th-century temple and the grandest legacy of Cambodia's once mighty Khmer empire. Even at 5 a.m., the heat and humidity is enough to make the visitors break into a sweat.

More than 1 million people come annually to see the remains of the Khmer temples that dot the sprawling Angkor region, 145 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of the country's capital, Phnom Penh.

For Cambodians, the temples are nothing less than a symbol of their nation; an outline of Angkor Wat adorns the national flag.

A nearby temple, Wat Thmei, also includes a reminder of a dark chapter in recent Cambodian history. A memorial stupa houses bones and skulls from the victims of the "killing fields," who were executed by the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that ruled in the late 1970s.

Today, Angkor is a vital contributor to the poor nation's economy, with almost all visitors to the country traveling to the ruins. After a hot day visiting the temples, tourists head to the bars and Western-style air-conditioned restaurants in the nearby town of Siem Reap.

Chinese company plans to invest in Cambodia's rice mill

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September 14, 2010

A Chinese Company from China' s Guangxi Province is planning to invest in Cambodia's rice mill, a government official said Tuesday.

Eang Sophaleth, spokesperson to Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters that during a meeting with Hun Sen on Tuesday afternoon, Song Zhenxiong, president of Guangxi Guohong Development Company said that for the first step, his company will invest 5 million U. S. dollars for rice mill and the investment scale will be upgraded in the following steps.

Song Zhenxiong was quoted as saying that he had already found a location for his rice mill in Kompong Chhnang province, some 80 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh.

He said, as planned, his rice mill will be able to produce about 100 tons of processed rice per day.

Eang Sophaleth said Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed the investment plan and encouraged Song to work closely with local people who are farmers in order to secure sufficient rice for process and exports.

Hun Sen has earlier set year 2015 as a year to export at least one million tons of rice to the world markets.

Some 80 percent of the country's 14 million populations are living in rural areas and are farmers.

Source: Xinhua

Cambodia has no plan to build nuclear power plant: MP

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PHNOM PENH, Sep. 14, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Cambodia assured Tuesday that it has had no plan to build a nuclear power plant fearing it is harmful to environment and the shortfall of budget and human resource.

Cheam Yeap, chairman of committee for economy, finance, banking and auditing of the National Assembly told local reporters on Tuesday that Cambodia has had no plan to build a nuclear power plant, saying the plant might be harmful to environment while at the same time the plant might need huge budget and human resource.

He said, as of now, no plan of signing any agreement with any foreign countries to build such nuclear power plant.

It is the second time that Cambodia has assured that such plan will not be exercised in the country.

Late last month, Koy Kuong, spokesman of foreign ministry said Cambodia had not made any deal with Iran on anything related to nuclear power plant.

Koy Kuong made the statement following media report that suggested during the visit to Iran early August, Hor Namhong, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs might have discussed any issue on nuclear power plant.

Koy Kuong said, during the visit, there were only three documents were signed: cooperation in petroleum, economic cooperation and visa exemption.

According to the government statistic, Cambodia increased 16 percent of its power supply per year; however, the price is still higher compared to its neighboring countries of Vietnam and Thailand.

(Source: iStockAnalyst )

Asia’s Have-Nots Push for Bigger Piece of Economic Pie

http://www.2point6billion.com/

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Sept. 14 – Asia has emerged into a global economic power in the last decade. With China and India leading the way, the region has become the world’s manufacturer as factories from Dongguan to Dhaka pump out everything from shirts and shoes to televisions and computers and the growing economic clout of the region has led many to label the first hundred years of the new millennium as the “Asian Century.” But for those that are responsible for much of that growing economic gain, the payoff has not been forthcoming.

On Monday, around 60,000 garment workers began a week-long strike in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, to protest low wages. It is just the latest in a series of walkouts that have swept Asia as workers have started to stand up to meager salaries, deplorable working conditions, and long working hours in factories throughout the developing world.

Since June, China has seen a wave of protests sweep through predominantly foreign-owned factories while in Bangladesh, thousands of textile workers seeking higher pay clashed with police last month, injuring 500. In Vietnam, thousands went on strike in April at a Taiwanese-owned shoe factory.

These strikes have raised some uncomfortable questions for both the governments involved and the companies, who have need to balance corporate codes of conduct and brand image with thinning profit margins and rising costs. For corporations, the rising costs have cut into the bottom line, forcing many to reevaluate their business models and future plans in Asia. Already some are looking to shift production to lower cost centers – Foxconn recently announced it was shifting its production facilities from the Pearl River Delta to Henan Province – while others are shifting their market strategy to take advantage of a new consumer class emerging in the region. But these are both just short term gains. Before long, the costs savings of operating in Asia for export will be gone. And then, the corporations will either reap the rewards of a domestic sales policy, or see their profits dwindle away.

For governments, the situation is more critical. The first decade has seen double digit growth throughout Asia. In countries like China, the drive from third to first world status has lifted millions out of poverty. But the cost of that rise is now beginning to bite back. The private corporations, corrupt officials, state-owned companies and property speculators are the ones reaping the rewards. The migrant laborers that built the boomtown of Shenzhen are not. The result, China has seen a surge in “mass incidents” of social unrest as the have-nots have increasingly demanded their share of the economic dream.

The growing economic gap between rich and poor is having an effect throughout Asia. Labor protests in Malaysia, strikes in Macau, and political turmoil in Thailand are tied to the poor rural population’s grievances with the entrenched urban elite. Policies like China’s Contract Labor Law have helped reduce some of the simmering tension, but until the region’s poor masses begin to profit in the same manner as their governments and rich elite classes, the potential for unrest will remain high.

Protecting workers and children in Cambodia

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Sep 14, 2010 11

This week thousands of workers from textiles factories took to the streets of Cambodia as part of a week-long strike.

This week thousands of workers from textiles factories took to the streets of Cambodia as part of a week-long strike. Garment workers in Cambodia typically earn the minimum monthly wage of 56 dollars. With double-digit inflation threatening their ability to survive on this wage, some workers and union leaders are unhappy with a proposed 5 dollar increase.

The garment industry is Cambodia’s third largest revenue earner after tourism and agriculture and high-street names such as Gap, Levi and Marks and Spencer order their clothes from Cambodian factories. Since some of the garment unions have already accepted the 5 dollar increase, these international buyers will be hoping the strike does not gain wide support and most factories in Phnom Penh will operate as normal.

Certainly much work has been done in Cambodia towards fostering good working conditions in the factories. Through a policy known as labour linkage, large international buyers are assured that garments are not being made by oppressed workers or by children.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) co-ordinates factory inspections in Cambodia to make sure premises are meeting the necessary obligations. Founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I, the ILO (based in Geneva) aims to bring “decent work and livelihoods, job-related security and better living standards to the people of both poor and rich countries”.

The ILO also works to reduce child labour rates. Access to education has greatly improved in Cambodia; in 2005, 91% of young children were enrolled in primary school compared to 75% of children in 2005. Through the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), the ILO has removed or prevented 18,280 chidlren from being used as child labourers and ensured they were enrolled in schools. The IPEC programme has also sponsored schemes to decrease the reliance of poor families on income from children. One such scheme has involved setting up a savings group in a small village in southern Cambodia, where families can access micro finance and borrow money at a low 3 per cent interest rate.

But despite all the good work, according to the ILO 313,000 children are still trapped in the worst forms of exploitation in Cambodia, in drug trafficking or prostitution. And many children still spend long hours working to support their families, like 10-year old Leap, who offers elephant rides to tourists and has never attended school. Leap is lucky to earn 2 dollars a day, and yet if she stops work she says her mother and brothers will go hungry. In another part of Phnom Penh, the ILO’s representative found 7-year old Doung sifting through rubbish along the river bank, looking for plastic to recycle. Since his father died, Doung is the sole provider for his mother and her new baby

The Cambodian Government, along with the ILO, has vowed to identify and rehabilitate children scavenging along the river of the capital and to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by the end of 2012. These new initiatives will hopefully mean that children like Leap and Doung do not fall through the net and have the chance of a childhood.

Prez speech at Indian community reception

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India Blooms News Service

Cambodia, Sept 13 (IBNS) SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT RECEPTION FOR THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

I am delighted to be in this beautiful country, with which India has had historical connections, going back to almost 2000 years. I arrived in Phnom Penh only a few hours ago and interacting with the Indian community is my first engagement in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I convey to all of you, my personal greetings and also greetings from the people of India. You play an important role in promoting relations between India and Cambodia.

It is interesting that many legends are prevalent in this country tracing their ancient linkages with India. Most of the historical and cultural monuments spread all over Cambodia speak of the close Indian association, which was made possible as a result of continuous interaction between navigators, merchants and intellectuals of the two countries, over a period of two thousand years. One has heard so much about the grandeur of the world famous Angkor Wat and many astonishing architectural marvels such as Ta Prohm, Bayon and Banteay Srey. I and my delegation would be visiting Siem Reap where all these magnificent cultural monuments, which are glorious testimony to our common cultural heritage, are located. I am informed that there are many commonalities in the day-to-day life of the people of Cambodia with Indians, such as language, customs and rituals. This must be a product of our ancestors' willingness to learn from each other and is an indication of the everlasting bonds of friendship.

I am happy to say that the Governments of the two countries strived to regain old historical bonds. In the 1950s, India was associated with the International Control Commission on Indo-China and our role as Co-Chairman was well appreciated. There were numerous high level exchanges between our two countries. We are all aware of the close friendly ties that existed between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, which paved the way for not only excellent bilateral ties, but also offered opportunities to the two leaders to exchange views on the role of newly liberated countries in the development of a peaceful world.

Everyone is aware of India's unwavering support to Cambodia not only in good times but also during the difficult period of its history. After the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, India was among the first countries to recognize President Heng Samrin's government and re-open its diplomatic mission in 1981. Since then, the Governments of India and Cambodia have worked together to expand and deepen our bilateral ties, through high level bilateral exchanges, as well as through interactions at regional and international fora.

While human resource development and capacity building have been the primary focus of our bilateral relations, India is happy to cooperate with Cambodia in infrastructural projects, as well as in projects related to conservation and preservation of historical monuments. Over the years our two countries have signed numerous agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation, and have also established mechanisms to exchange views and to review the status of ongoing projects.

We appreciate the role played by the Royal Government of Cambodia in India's engagement with this region. It is worth mentioning that India attained Summit level partnership with ASEAN under Cambodia's Chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2002, and a forthcoming Commemorative Summit in India to mark India's 20-year association with ASEAN too will be organized, during Cambodia's Chairmanship in 2012. India is satisfied with its friendly and cooperative ties with Cambodia and would continue to work for strengthening of these ties.

Overseas Indians comprising People of Indian Origin and Non Resident Indians today are amongst the best educated and successful communities in the world. India has the second largest Diaspora, estimated at over 25 million, present in every major region of the world. We are proud of you, and aware of the important role the diaspora plays as a 'bridge' to access knowledge, expertise, resources and markets for the development of the country of their origin. The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated since 2003, every year on 9th January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India. Individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion, since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi - the Father of our Nation, returned to India from South Africa to lead India's freedom struggle. His philosophy and his firm adherence to the principles of non-violence and truth are universally admired and emulated across the world. There is a bust of Gandhiji in Phnom Penh and I shall be visiting the site to pay homage to him.

You must carry forward the legacy of the values of our civilisation, upheld so magnificently by Gandhiji. The onus is now on all of you to ensure that a correct image of India is portrayed among your colleagues, neighbours and others with whom you interact. You must also carry forward the efforts of our ancestors in establishing extremely friendly ties thousands of years ago with Cambodia. Always remember that your deeds in this country not only reflect your individual personality but in some way make Cambodians aware of the capabilities of India and also the Indian way of life.

I am told that the Indian community in Cambodia though small is vibrant, active and is supportive of those who need assistance. Such compassion for others is a good trait and I encourage everyone to be humane. I have been informed that the Indian Association in Cambodia celebrates important Indian festivals, and has recently launched a website which is quite informative. This is a good development and I am sure you will continue with such efforts. I take this opportunity to wish you progress and success.

Thailand pressures FCCT to cancel press conference

http://cpj.org/

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Bangkok, September 13, 2010--The Thai government acted inappropriately in pressuring the Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) to cancel a press conference that would have criticized Vietnam, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

The Bangkok-based FCCT had intended to host a press conference today by the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR). The two independent rights groups had planned to launch a new report called "From Rhetoric to Reality: Human Rights in Vietnam, under its Chairmanship of ASEAN 2010."

The FCCT said in a statement that the ministry first contacted it by telephone on September 9 to request that the club cancel the press conference because "it might contain information detrimental to a neighboring country." The ministry also requested that the FCCT inform the event's two scheduled speakers, VCHR's Vo Van Ai and Penelope Faulkner, that the ministry would deny them visas on arrival upon landing in Thailand. The event was formally cancelled by the two groups on Sunday.

"The FCCT provides an important space for journalists to meet and exchange ideas with newsmakers and that space should remain open and free of restrictions," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's Senior Southeast Asia Representative. "Regrettably, the pressure put on the FCCT is consistent with a wider crackdown on the free press and Internet under way in Thailand."

Thailand has recently clashed both diplomatically and militarily with neighboring Cambodia, a country where Vietnam has historically held significant sway. Thailand and Vietnam have maintained cool relations ever since the Vietnam War, when Thailand allowed the U.S. to use its territories for bases to bombard positions in northern Vietnam.

Thani Thongphakdi, head of the ministry's Department of Information, wrote in a September 10 e-mail to the FCCT that the government "attaches great importance to the principles of freedom of expression and diversity of views," but that it also has "a long-standing position of not allowing organizations and/or persons to use Thailand as a place to conduct activities detrimental to other countries."

The FCCT has long served as a regional hub for important press events. Last year, for instance, the FCCT hosted an event held by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance where Cambodian opposition politician Sam Rainsy made a speech highly critical of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, including references to his crackdown on journalists and activists. It also regularly hosts events related to neighboring Burma, where speakers and journalists are able to air critical opinions that are censored from publication in that country's military-run regime. However, there are rising concerns among Bangkok-based journalists that the Thai government will become less tolerant of such programs to guard against regional criticism of its own anti-democratic tendencies.

Senior military officers visit Cambodia

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September 14, 2010

A high-ranking delegation from the Ministry of National Defence, led by Deputy Minister, Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, paid a visit to Cambodia over September 12-13.

The officers held talks with Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence General Neang Phat, who commended Vietnam for its role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Phat stated that Cambodia would work more closely with Vietnam to successfully organise the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), scheduled to take place in Hanoi on October 12.

Vinh applauded Cambodia’s contributions to the ADMM+, saying that it was important to boost cooperation in security and defence between the two neighbouring countries.

He underlined the success of the fourth ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-4) in May 2010, which, he said, completed the necessary legal foundations for the bloc to expand its security and defence relationship with the region and the rest of the world through the ADMM+.

The same day, General Vinh paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Minister of National Defence General Tea Banh. (VNA)

Striking Cambodian workers reflect Asia trend

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By Tim Johnston in Bangkok

Published: September 13 2010

Thousands of Cambodian garment workers have gone on strike for higher wages, reinforcing a trend that has seen substantial pay increases among some of Asia’s lowest-paid workers.

Growing labour unrest is hitting low-wage industries across Asia, with widespread strikes in China, Vietnam and Bangladesh as well as Cambodia as economies start to recover from the global financial crisis.

Cambodian clothing and footwear workers on Monday started a five-day strike in protest at the government’s decision to lift the minimum wage from $50 to $61 a month. Some unions agreed to the deal but others want it raised to $93.

The unions said they had called out 80,000 staff, almost a quarter of Cambodia’s garment workforce. However, Ken Loo, secretary-general of the Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Cambodia, said fewer than 20,000 people were on strike on Monday and that only seven factories from a total of 470 were closed, although some of the country’s largest garment plants were among those affected.

“We have already advised our members to seek a court decision on the legality of the strikes,” he said. “If the court says they are illegal, the workers can be dismissed.”

The garment sector accounts for between 70 and 90 per cent of Cambodia’s exports. Garment manufacturers say labour is already more expensive than in neighbouring countries. According to Mr Loo, when allowances and overtime are taken into account, employers pay an average of $90 a month, which would rise to $95 when the $61 minimum wage level came into effect in October.

Low-cost manufacturers in Asia were able to keep wages down during the financial crisis – with some 30,000 Cambodian garment workers losing their jobs – but as order books have filled, workers have begun to flex their muscles.

In China earlier this year Honda raised salaries at its plants by 24 per cent after workers went on strike, and Foxconn, the Taiwanese-owned contract electronics manufacturer, lifted wages by a third after a number of suicides. Vietnamese workers have held strikes in pursuit of higher pay, while millions of textile workers in Bangladesh staged a walkout last month after the minimum wage was lifted from $25 a month to $43. They wanted at least $73.

Although garment manufacturing is easy to relocate, there are few under-industrialised Asian nations for manufacturers to move to. With upward pressure on wages in all the lowest-cost production centres, many manufacturers see little option but to accede to at least some union demands.

The garment sector has been at the cutting edge of Cambodia’s industrialisation, although productivity is lower than in many of its neighbours. Most of the factories are foreign owned, with research last year by Japan’s Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies showing that more than 60 per cent of the garment plants were owned by interests in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China.

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Dubai Women’s College raises donations for children in Cambodia

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14/09/2010

Around 20 students from Dubai Women's College (DWC) recently organized at the college campus a fundraising event entitled "Dirham a Day" for the disabled children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The funds raised during the event amounted to 4000dhs.

DWC Students ran "Dirham a Day" collection, asking all students and staff to donate just one dirham each. The funds were used to pay for a number of activities including an outing, which the children look forward to once a year.

Dr. Howard Reed, Director of DWC said the habit of sharing and giving is well established at DWC. Students learn that even small amounts of money can make a big difference in the lives of many people.

Donna Behl, DWC Chair of Bachelor Year 1 Department, who presented the cheque at the Center, said "As we toured the Damnok Toek Center, the smiles on the faces of the children were very heartwarming. The charitable gesture from our DWC students made a huge difference to this very poor Center. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the Center and the caring staff." Donna added that the Center was very basic with no frills or extras and they are looking for another place which would have a bigger outdoor area. "However, the children are happy and well fed, they have a bed to sleep in and we know the money we have donated will be put to great use. The children who have such severe disabilities and loss of limbs really appreciate support from us. We hope to continue with further fundraising for these lovely kids in the new academic year which starts on 13th September 2010," she pointed out.

DWC Students heard the stories of the Damnok Toek Center for disabled children in Cambodia, learnt about their hardships and realized how fortunate they have been growing up in a protected and safe environment in the UAE. The Damnok Center is a residential care home for around 20 children with intellectual or physical disabilities and who have been rescued from dreadful circumstances. Some of the children have been victims of human trafficking, sold by their families out of desperation, and rescued by the Goutte d'eau organization. Others have been rescued from the rubbish dumps in Phnom Penh and brought to this wonderful centre which provides a caring family environment for the children. The children are taken by bus each day for schooling according to their special learning need, then return to the centre in the afternoon for play, meals and sleeping.

New count gives critically endangered waterbird a fighting chance

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/

via CAAI

Sep 14, 2010

Phnom Penh - Wildlife organizations on Tuesday hailed the result of a new survey showing that South-East Asia's most endangered waterbird, the white-shouldered ibis, is more numerous than previously thought.

Government officials and staff from several conservation agencies counted 429 birds at three dozen sites across Cambodia. The total was one-third higher than had been previously estimated.

Tom Evans, deputy country head of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said the species is one of the world's most threatened.

'Given that the numbers are so low, the discovery that there are actually quite a few more than we initially thought is exciting,' he said. 'It means we have a bit more breathing room before they go extinct.'

Evans said conservation efforts in recent years were a combined effort involving the government and ecological organizations.

'No one knows why (the population) declined so dramatically, but a few years ago the best estimate was that there were 250 adult birds left in the world,' Evans said.

A century ago, explorers reported that the bird, the size of a small chicken which feeds on small frogs and insects in wetland areas, was very common.

Today just a few are left in Laos, Vietnam and possibly in Indonesia's Kalimantan province. The bulk are in Cambodia.

Conservationist Sum Phearun from the People, Resources, and Conservation Foundation warned that the outlook for the species was still uncertain.

'It's unlikely that the population has actually grown or started recovering,' he said. 'The species is still very close to extinction so we are continuing our efforts to understand and protect the ibis.'

President Patil receives traditional welcome in Cambodian capital

via CAAI

Phnom Penh, Sep 14 (ANI): Visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil was today accorded a traditional welcome by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Silver Pagoda Royal Palace here.

School children lined up on either side of the street leading to the palace to welcome President Patil.

After the ceremonial welcome, President Patil had a one-to-one meeting with the Cambodian King in which ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship were discussed.

President Patil then visited the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh and paid tribute.

In the evening, President Patil will meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Indian President arrived on Monday on a six-day state visit to Cambodia from September 13 to 18 with the objective of strengthening enduring partnerships with countries of the ASEAN region as part of India's Look-East policy.

She is visiting Cambodia at the invitation of the King Norodom Sihamoni.

A delegation of senior officials and Minister of Tribal Affairs Kantilal Bhuria is accompanying President Patil on her visit.

India has "warm and cordial relations" with Cambodia, one of the important countries in the ASEAN region, which has supported New Delhi's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Apart from visiting Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, President Patil would be travelling with the delegation to Siem Reap where the world famous temples of Angkor Vat are located.

India and Cambodia enjoy a long standing and shared historical affinity and close cultural ties. Cambodia is an important partner of India among the ASEAN countries.

President Patil's visit to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will provide an opportunity for reaffirming and strengthening multifaceted bilateral ties, including commercial and investment relations.

Cambodia is also currently the coordinator on the ASEAN side for India-ASEAN relations.

Earlier during her Lao visit, President Patil said relations with Lao and Cambodia are of strategic importance to India. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)

TOBACCO ADVERTISING BAN 'WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE CAMBODIAN HEALTH OUTCOMES'

via CAAI

14/09/2010

Moves to ban tobacco advertising in Cambodia would be a major step forward in improving the health of the country's residents.

So claims Mom Kong, executive director of non-government organisation the Cambodia Movement for Health, who states that plans by the government to introduce regulations against all tobacco-related advertising and promotions next year will play a crucial role in stopping would-be smokers from developing the habit.

"Tobacco advertising helps to attract children to smoking and makes it difficult for smokers to quit. Banning advertising would be an effective measure to prevent youth and children from smoking," he tells Inter Press Service.

Doing so would see the Cambodian government meet a key element of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires all governments signing up to the treaty to "undertake a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship" within five years.

The news provider points to World Health Organization figures showing 49 per cent of Cambodian males over the age of 15 smoke, compared to 44 per cent in Thailand.

Earlier this month, Ou Kevanna, manager of the National Nutrition Programme at the Health Ministry’s National Maternal and Child Health Centre, claimed that there will always be a difference in the health of rich and poor people in the country, as the latter are unable to make it to hospitals with modern medical equipment.

Cambodia intends to host the 36th World Heritage Committee meeting in 2012

via CAAI

PHNOM PENH, Sep 14, 2010 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Cambodia intends to host the 36th World Heritage Committee (WHC) 2012 meeting in the country's northern province of Siem Reap, a government official said Tuesday.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Office of the Council of Ministers, said Cambodia has already expressed its readiness and intention to UNESCO to host the 36th WHC meeting.

He said, Cambodia is now vice chairman of the WHC and this country's richness in cultural sites along with nearly 1,000 temples and preservation experiences is fit to the event.

For the purpose itself, Phay Siphan said Cambodia wants to share its experiences in the conservation and preservation works that have been worked with many development partners for many ruin temples across the country.

He said, if approved as planned, the meeting will be held in Siem Reap, the country's tourism hub where is rich of cultural sites along with world famous temple of Angkor Wat.

The 35th meeting of WHC will be held in July next year in Bahrain.

Phay Siphan said that Cambodia has sufficient experience to share with other WHC members in the preservation of ancient temples.

Currently, there are 187 members of the WHC.

On the location, Phay Siphan said, Siem Reap is known as the world's tourist destination where has been used as a place for accommodating many world's leaders and international events.

He said everything is there such as good infrastructure, safety, cultural sites and preservation work is being carried on.

Cambodia is located in tropical region and in Southeast Asia-- is known as a country where is rich in cultural heritage such as Angko Wat Temple, Preah Vihear Temple, both were registered as Word Heritage Sites and it records as having more than 800 temples across the country as well as the old and rich in arts, culture and tradition.

AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

Senate President Receives Honorary Doctorate from American University

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- The California-based Open Seminary University has awarded honorary doctorate to Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim.

The award ceremony was held here on Sept. 13 at the Senate in the presence of Rector of the Open Seminary University Mr. Alfonso Cleto.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Alfonso Cleto said that the conferment is in recognition of the achievements made by Samdech Chea Sim in leading Cambodia towards peace as well as the country’s legislative body.

In reply, Samdech Chea Sim thanked the assessment committee of this American university for deciding to award him the honorary doctorate, which will further encourage him to continue to lead the legislative body towards more progress.

The Open Seminary University has always selected high dignitaries over the world to award honorary doctorates in recognition of their efforts in developing their countries, according to Mrs. Pheng Kunthea Borey, head of protocol of Samdech Chea Sim. --AKP

(By CHEA Vannak)

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PM Receives Vietnamese Defense Vice Minister

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here on Monday a visiting delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense led by its Vice Minister H.E. Nguyen Chi Vinh.

In the meeting, the Vietnamese Defense vice minister conveyed best wishes from senior Vietnamese leaders to the Cambodian premier, Ieng Sophalet, assistant to Samdech Techo Hun Sen told reporters upon the talks.

H.E. Nguyen Chi Vinh further told the Cambodian prime minister of the results of his talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister H.E. Tea Banh, which focused on military cooperation, particularly information exchange and military strategies.

In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed the results of the meeting between the Defense Ministries of the two countries. He encouraged both sides to further increase their cooperation.

The Cambodian premier also asked the Vietnamese side to continue to help develop Cambodia’s human resource. --AKP

(By OU Sokha)

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DPM Sok An Meets South African Ambassador

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- Cambodian Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers H.E. Sok An met here yesterday with South African Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos H.E. Duglas Harvy Monro Gibson.

The meeting mainly focused on the preservation and development of cultural heritages.

On the occasion, the Cambodian deputy prime minister recalled the success in preserving and developing the Angkor area by the creation of the International Coordination Committee (ICC) in 1992 with the participation of 15 different countries.

Cambodia wished that South Africa would participate in the preservation and development of world heritage sites in Cambodia, H.E. Sok An said.

Regarding the Preah Vihear Temple area, the Cambodian deputy prime minister said the Royal Government of Cambodia has spent some US$100 million in building infrastructure, preserving and developing the area since the inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

He further explained that the current Cambodia-Thailand tension was not due to the listing of this Khmer sacred temple, but to the encroachment of Thai troops on Cambodian territory at the Preah Vihear Temple area.

For his part, H.E. Duglas Harvy Monro Gibson, also permanent observer at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), recognized that Cambodia has well respected the international rules and he expressed his satisfaction with H.E. Sok An’s explanation.

South Africa would like to see Cambodia and Thailand resolve their border dispute by peaceful mean, he stressed. --AKP

(KHAN Sophirom)

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Information Minister Meets UNDP Official

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith met here on Sept. 13 with Mr. Lars Heiberg Bestle, a policy specialist of the Asia-Pacific Region in charge of Information for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The purpose is to understand the cooperation between UNDP, the Ministry of Information and Cambodian National Television (TVK) in the Equity Programme, the ministry’s assessment of the programme, and to set objectives for the future.

H.E. Khieu Kanharith expressed pleasure with the Equity Programme supported by the public, saying that it had professional characteristic for the people to be aware of because it made each of the issues deeper.

He asked UNDP to cooperate with TVK in re-examining and rectifying some issues raised for an objective of the good governance.

The minister also elaborated on some issues in relation with the edition of the books on environment, health care, human rights, and domestic violence and even the law.

On the occasion, H.E. Kim Kunwath, general director of TVK gave additional outlines of the development of the Equity Program such as a sub-title in English to enable those living overseas to read. --AKP

(By THOU Peou)

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Forum on “Human Trafficking and Migration” Opened

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- The Cambodia National Mekong Youth Forum III on Human Trafficking and Migration was opened here on Sept. 13 under the presidency of H.E. Mrs. Chuo Bun Eng, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior.

Some 80 vulnerable youths and children from 17 of the 24 provinces around the country are attending the three-day forum held at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation.

Addressing the event, Mrs. Chuo Bun Eng said the forum is aimed to learn more about youths and children’s concerns and hopes for their future so that the government and related partner organizations could draw up plans or projects, especially include them in the national and international policies.

She also briefed the participants about the attention of the government, international community, organizations and civil society on the migration and human trafficking issues, through cooperation, law and plan making to fight human trafficking.

The forum will choose youths to attend the Mekong Youth Forum, to take place from Oct. 26 to 30 in Bangkok, Thailand, she said.

The forum was organized by Cambodia Mekong Youth Forum Management Committee under the support from ILO, UNIAP, UNICEF, The Asia Foundation, World Vision Cambodia, Save the Children and Child Fund Cambodia. --AKP

(By LIM Nary)

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Banteay Meanchey Wins First Women Football Cup

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- The women soccer’s team from Banteay Meanchey province won the first ever Women Football Cup after beating 4-1 the Siem Reap team in the final.

Ten women’s football teams from Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Battambang, Stung Treng, Kandal, Pursat, Pailin, Kampong Thom, Prey Veng provinces and Pkay Samoth (Sea Star) Organization participated in the competition held from Sept. 4 to 13 in Banteay Meanchey.

The champion won the cup, 24 gold medals and US$500, and the two runners-up, Siem Reap and Battambang teams, got 24 silver medals with US$300, and 24 bronze medals with US$200 respectively.

Banteay Meanchey Governor Ung Oeun, who presided over the closing ceremony of the tournament, offered cash prize of US$400 for the winners, US$300 for the runners up and US$200 for the third.

The Women Football Cup Tournament was jointly organized by the Football Federation of Cambodia and Banteay Meanchey provincial authority. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Cambodia To Dispatch Two Tennis Players to Asian Games in China

Phnom Penh, September 14, 2010 AKP -- The Cambodian Tennis Federation has decided to send two tennis players to join the Asian Games to be held in November in Guangzhou city, China.

Bun Teny and An Sambath will compete with other professional tennis players from over 40 countries.

H.E. Cham Prasidh, President of the Cambodian Tennis Federation praised the Cambodian tennis players’ capacities, recalling that Cambodia had won two bronze medals during the past two SEA Games. --AKP

(By Théng)

Vietnam defence visit

Photo by: Uy Nousereimony

via CAAI

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 15:00 Uy Nousereimony

Vietnamese defence officials address a press conference at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital yesterday. The delegation was on a two-day visit in advance of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, to be held in Hanoi from October 11 to 13.

Delhi delegation

Photo by: AFP

via CAAI

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 15:00 Cheang Sokha

Indian President Pratibha Patil arrives yesterday at Phnom Penh International Airport, where her delegation was received by Royal Palace Minister Kong Som Ol. According to a statement issued last week by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Patil is set to sign two agreements during her six-day visit – a memorandum of understanding between the two nations’ audit authorities and an agreement relating to the Stung Tasal Water Resources Development Project.