Residents Rally At Palace For Release Of Land Activist
May 14th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Disputed Land, Economic Land Concessions, Land Tenure
Around 30 residents from Boeung Kok, Borei Kei and Thmor kol communities gathered and knelt down Monday in front of the Royal Palace to seek intervention from the King to release jailed land activist Yorm Bopha. …
In the petition, they asked him to intervene the Ministry of Justice to release Yorm Bopha and find solutions for the land disputes in their communities. …
There were no clashes between authorities and the residents. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=OWNiYWVhYmQ4ZmM
French Ambassador vows to strengthen further relations with Cambodia
May 8th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, International Relations
Serge Mostura, French Ambassador to Cambodia, said he wanted to boost economic diplomacy between Cambodia and France. …
Citizens of France visits Cambodia only as tourists or for study, but none have placed investments in the country, so he vows to attract small and medium sized French companies to invest in Cambodia, [personal assistant to Hun Sen Leng Sophatlet] quoted Serge Mostura as saying. …
He [Prime Minister Hun Sen] also called on France to pay attention to the commerce and investment sectors of the country, which are factors to strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=NDcxZTc4YzQ5YTR
Union calls for stable rent for workers
May 7th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Exports, Garment Industry, Industry, Social Concerns, Textiles, Trade
The Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) urged all apartment landlords to not increase their rent because garment and footwear employees get only a basic salary of $80 per month.
A statement issued Monday said the wage increase from $61 per month to $80 will be implemented in late May, asking the landlords nearby the factories not to raise their rent due to the increase. …
Currently around 500,000 workers are employed in 500 different garment and shoe factories around the country.
Cambodia textile exports in the first quarter of 2013 reached $1.34 billion compared to $1.14 billion in the same period last year.
Last year, the country’s garment exports were worth $4.6 billion.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=NzI2NDk4N2M2YTA
Laos, Cambodia aim to address illegal border issues
April 30th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, International Relations, Social Concerns, Trade
Illegal border movements, illegal logging, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and unofficial cross border trade are among the issues being confronted by Laos and Cambodia along their shared border at the moment.
The report was made during a meeting held between Champassak provincial authorities from Laos and Strung Treng provincial authorities of Cambodia, in order to discuss various cross border issues which are affecting public order and security in the region. …
In addition, the two provinces agreed to support and facilitate the implementation of the cooperation projects stipulated under Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=YzA1YzU0ODk0ZDM
Investors Look For Hotel Opportunities In Southeast Asia
April 30th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Construction, Economics, Foreign Investment, Industry, Infrastructure, Land Tenure, News Source, Real Estate, Tourism
Hotel transaction volumes in Asia hit US$620 million (Bt18.18 billion) in the first quarter, up 190 per cent from the same period last year, and properties in Southeast Asia are attracting investor attention, according to real-estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle.
“Rising visitor arrivals, robust trading performance and positive market dynamics have put emerging Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar back into the investment spotlight,” Tom Oakden, executive vice president, investment sales, for Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, said at a recent industry event co-hosted with Ashurst, the international law firm. …
Neighboring Cambodia, meanwhile, is on the cusp of real economic and tourism growth, with rising visitor arrivals and increasing foreign direct investment from countries such as South Korea, Vietnam and China. …
With limited hotel supply in the key cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and 443 kilometers of unexploited coastline, Cambodia is attracting the attention of both domestic and regional investors and developers. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=NGM4ODkxZTEzMjg
Workers not allowed to march on Labor Day
April 27th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Garment Industry, Industry, Labor, Social Concerns
Around 20,000 workers from the garment, construction, tourism, banking, service and agriculture sectors want to march to present a petition to the National Assembly on International Labor Day, May 1, but Phnom Penh City Hall did not approve the rally.
City hall asked them to wait for the approval from Ministry of Interior before they do anything further. …
He [Rong Chhun President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions] said workers will choose another place to meet, such as the riverside near the Cambodia Development Council to rally in order to present a petition which consists of 16 demands, focusing on salary, labor law respect and other issues. …
The petition to be presented will ask the government to find solutions to worker’s monthly wages, short time contracts, irresponsibility of owners who had closed factories without providing proper compensation to workers, and violations concerning the rights of associations and unions, he added.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=YWNjNWUyNzMwYmE
ADB supports integration of regional energy systems
April 26th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Construction, Electricity, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Hydroelectricity, Infrastructure, International Relations, Lakes/Rivers, Water
Countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region can save US$14 billion over the next 20 years if they integrate their power transmission systems, according to a senior official from the Asian Development Bank.
A regional power grid connection would enable countries with hydro-power plants to export energy to other countries, saving up to US$700 million a year by reducing fossil fuel imports, the Bank says in its report on Asia’s Energy Challenge, released earlier this month. …
At present, countries in the region use different resources to generate electricity. Some, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, rely on natural gas and imported fossil fuel, while others such as China and Laos harness hydro-power. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=ZGE3NWI5YWNjYTV
World Bank upgrades Cambodia’s growth forecast for this year
April 15th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Banking & Finance, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Industry
The World Bank upgraded Monday its GDP growth forecast for Cambodia to 7.0 percent for this year, up 0.3 of a percentage point from its last projection in December.
“In Cambodia, a likely stabilization in high-income country conditions should support further improvements in garment production and exports,” the bank said in explaining the upgrade. …
Cambodia’s growth last year, estimated at 7.3 percent, was “faster than expected,” the update said, adding that it was “bolstered by the strong performance of agriculture, construction and tourism and a recovery in garments.”
In a separate statement, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Vice President Axel van Trotsenburg said the region accounted for about 40 percent of global growth last year. …
The Cambodia Herald
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=MjcxMzgzNzA1NWR
New stadium to be constructed
April 12th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Construction, International Relations
Cambodia will start the construction of a new and more modern stadium on Friday, an official said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium’s construction, covering 83 hectares of land in the commune of Bak Kheng, in the Russey Keo district. …
The sports sector is a necessary area to enhance for the development of the country, he said, adding that this modern stadium would be used to host the 2020 SEA games and other significant sporting events.
Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=NjExZTRjYzQ0ZTA
Cambodia-France discuss tram system project
April 8th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Construction, Electricity, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Hydroelectricity, Infrastructure, International Relations, Lakes/Rivers, News Source
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong met with Serge Mostura, French Ambassador to Cambodia, to discuss a tram system project to benefit the residents of Phnom Penh, an official said Monday.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said, the two sides discussed the tram project to provide comfortable public transportation for residents and a lighting project for the roadways of Phnom Penh. …
Kuoy said, France was also interested in the energy sector of Cambodia, including hydro-electric power. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&title=cambodia&token=YmZhZWE5YzkyNWJ
1,000 days to go on Millennium Development Goals
April 5th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Economics, International Relations, Social Concerns, Technical Assistance
April 5th marks the starting date for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and its partners in Cambodia in observing the milestone of 1,000 days to the end of 2015 which is the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). …
“The MDGs are the most successful global anti-poverty push in history,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “The Goals have helped set global and national priorities, mobilize action, and achieve remarkable results.” …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=MzVkZTcwZWRkNjY
Work begins on new friendship bridge to Cambodia
April 3rd, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Construction, Infrastructure, International Relations
Construction began yesterday on a bridge crossing an upstream section of the Vam Co Dong River that borders Cambodia.
The US $2.2-million friendship bridge will link the southern province of Tay Ninh with Cambodia’s Prey Veng Province at the Tan Nam – Mean Chay border gate near the districts of Viet Nam’s Tan Bien and Kamchay Mear of Cambodia. …
At the end of last year, the 27m-long Song Mang Bridge that links Vietnam’s Binh Phuoc Province and Cambodia’s Mondulkiri Province officially opened to traffic.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=YzczMTk5OTQ2MDY
Hun Sen wants more Australian investors
April 3rd, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, International Relations, Technical Assistance
The Prime Minister appealed Wednesday to Australian investors to increase their investments in Cambodia, especially in the agriculture and the tourism sectors.
The comments were made during a meeting with the outgoing Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, Penny Richards, at the Peace Palace. …
He said, because of the cooperation, Australia had increased their grants from $60 mln to $80 mln per year for agriculture, health, infrastructure and the judicial sectors in Cambodia. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=YzFhMzAxN2QzNDZ
Wages will increase following economic growth
April 2nd, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Garment Industry, Industry, Textiles
Hun Sen said salaries for civil servants and garment workers will increase yearly coinciding with the growth in the economy.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) at the Koh Pich center on Tuesday, he said during the general assembly of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) last month, it was agreed that wages will not be raised by 20 percent every year, but depending on economic growth. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=Y2MzZjI4MzI3MzI
Labor committee announces minimum wage
March 29th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Garment Industry, Industry, Labor, Social Concerns, Textiles
The Labor Advisory Committee issued a joint statement on the decision to raise wages from $61 to $80 per month for garment and footwear workers.
The statement was announced Friday, after a meeting between factory employers, union leaders and Labor Minister, Vong Soth. …
The wage provision of $80 a month has to be adopted on May 1st. …
Ath Thon, President of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU), who forced himself to accept the decision, said,” the decision to increase wage by $80 per month for workers was made by the government.”
“We have to adopt this decision even though we don’t like it,” he said. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=MTc2MjI0Y2JlMjV
Direct flights from Ha Noi to Cambodia
March 29th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Industry, International Relations, Tourism
Travelers bound for Cambodia can now take direct flights from Ha Noi to both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap via new routes launched by Cambodia Angkor Air. …
Along with the official opening of a representative office in Ha Noi late last month, Angkor Air also announced direct flights Phnom Penh – Bangkok and Siem Reap – Bangkok, with rates starting at $59. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=NDEzMWUxZmJiOTh
ADB praises Cambodia for public debt management
March 27th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Banking & Finance, Business & Commercial Development, Debt Servicing, Economics, Financial Services, Foreign Aid, International Relations, Technical Assistance
Eric Sidgwick, Country director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Cambodia applauded Cambodia for managing it’s, sometimes problematic, public debts. …
During the Wednesday meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Sok An, Eric Sidgwick said, good management led to the positive changes of donations and loans to Cambodia. …
The government, with the collaboration of ADB, aims to increase the GDP of its citizens to $4,000 by 2030, he added.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=NDQ1NmJhNTk1M2V
Illegal rosewood seized at border
March 27th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Environmental change, Exports, Imports, International Relations, Social Concerns, Timber/Wood
Police have cracked down on illegal large-scale rosewood smuggling at the Cambodia-Thai border in the district of Malai.
In the sting operation Tuesday night, led by Banteay Meanchey prosecutor, Phan Pirom, the authorities have seized around three tons of rosewood, hidden in the truck bed used for transporting milled rice from Vietnam to Thailand, through the Malai district’s Ro Beang border entrance. …
Authorities also captured three trucks, which were transporting milled rice, trying to evade import and export taxes into Thailand.
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=M2M4YzlhNzA2NmY
Hun Sen, minimum wage discussions not final
March 26th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Economics, Garment Industry, Industry, Labor, Social Concerns
The Prime Minister said Tuesday there will be another discussion about the increase of minimum wages for factory workers.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony for the Toul Sophy Secondary School in the district of Ou Rang Ov, he said around 500,000 to 600,000 people are working in garment sector, and the minimum wage has been increased to $80 while it was only between $30 to $40 before. …
Chea Mony, the president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Cambodia, has recently asked Hun Sen to increase the salary of garment and footwear workers to $100 per month. …
The Cambodia Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=YjQzMzNlNjE0NmE
Koh Thom Bridge construction launched
March 25th, 2013, The Cambodia Herald, Business & Commercial Development, Construction, Foreign Aid, Industry, Infrastructure, International Relations, Technical Assistance
A ground breaking ceremony of the $19.39 million, Koh Thom Bridge, has been launched Monday. …
The 407 meter bridge will be built over the, Tonle Bassac River, linking National Road 110 in the village of Prek Thmey, Chroy Takeo commune and National Road 21 in the commune of Prek Sdey, Koh Thom district. …
The Cambodian Herald Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=YjY1MTY0ZWI3ZjE