Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 26-28, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

Mr. Sam Rainsy Turns to Talk with CPP after Demonstration

After three days non-violent demonstration of Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) had been finished, the leader of CNRP turns to talk with CPP so as to continue finding solutions for the remaining issues. According to a high-level officer of CNRP, Mr. Sam Rainsy has communicated with a high-level officer of CPP in order to talk concerning the election reforms and other issues. A talk between the leader of CPP and CNRP will be happened very shortly. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 26 October 2013)

Minister of Interior Says Three Days Demonstration Held Smoothly Without Violence

The three days non-violent demonstration leads by CNRP in order to bring a petition and thumbprint of citizens to the United Nations High Commissioner to Cambodia and other Foreign Embassies was held smoothly without using violence as a previous protest on 15 September, which caused violent between demonstrators and authorities, said H.E. Sar Kheng, Minister of Interior. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 26 October 2013)

2.                 Economy/Development

The Export of Textile Industry Up 22 Percent in the First Nine Months

In the first nine months of this year, the growth of Cambodia’s textile industry export has increased by 22 percent in comparing to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the textile industry export was 4,2 billion USD, while it was only 3,44 billion USD worth last year. Cambodia’s textile industry export to international market including the United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea and China. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 26 October 2013)

Cambodia’s Trade Deficit worth 1,48 Billion USD in the First Nine Months

In the first nine months of this year, Cambodia’s trade deficit was 1,48 billion USD worth. Cambodia’s total trade was 11,82 billion USD worth, up 20 percent in comparing to the same period last year, which was approximately 9,88 billion USD worth. From January to September, Cambodia’s export was 5,17 billion USD worth, up 28 percent, while the import was approximately 6,65 billion USD, up15,83 percent in comparing to the same period last year. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 26 October 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 25, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

Police Request CNRP to Protect Security for Demonstration

Due to Bad Intentions of Some Persons

The polices have requested the CNRP’s demonstration leaders to use the force so as to ensure security and safety while bringing petition to other institution as some persons have bad intentions. The request was made on 23 October 2013 during a meeting between CNRP and representative of Phnom Penh Capital Hall. On the second day of non-violent mass demonstration of CNRP, Mr. Sam Rainsy and Mr. Kem Sokha led demonstrators from Freedom Park to Foreign Embassies including the Embassy of French, the United Kingdom, and the United States so as to bring a petition and thumb print of citizens for the Embassies to intervene and to find justice for citizens and claim the Royal Government to fully respect the Paris Peace Agreement. Anyhow, the Phnom Penh Capital Hall mentioned that a non-violent mass demonstration of CNRP did not fully implement following the Paris Peace Agreement. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 25 October 2013)  

2.                 Economy/Development

ADB Recognizes the Lateness of ASEAN on Regional Economic Integration

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recognized the lateness of ASEAN countries on regional economic integration to be achieved by 2015, according to press release of ADB dated 24 October 2013. ADB has appealed national and regional actions to take the full benefit of integration initiative like the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and be in a strong position to face global economic volatility going forward. Progress toward the AEC has been steady but slow. The region needs to work harder on tackling barriers to trade in economically sensitive sectors such as agriculture, steel, and motor vehicles as well as reducing the non-tariff barriers that are increasingly replacing tariffs as constraints to international trade. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 25 October 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 23-24, 2013

1.                 Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

Cambodia is Rank Number One in Receiving Financial Aid from KOICA

During a meeting on 21 October 2013, Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), informed H.E. Aun Porn Moniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance, that Cambodia is ranked number one in receiving financial aid from KOICA. Besides, Mr. Kim has highly appreciated the Royal Government of Cambodia for effectively implementing a project of KOICA, adding that the purpose of his visit in Cambodia was to learn about development cooperation, other activities as well as to further strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The financial aid which KOICA has provided to Cambodia from 1991 to 2012 and the aid to be provided in 2013 worth approximately 129 million USD. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

KOICA Proud to Assist Cambodia in Economy Field

During pay a courtesy call on Premier Hun Sen on 22 October 2013, Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of KOICA, expressed congratulations to Samdech Techo Hun Sen for his victory on the 5^th mandate of the National Assembly Election, adding that KOICA is very proud to assist Cambodia in economy field and to further strengthen the relationship between Cambodia and Korea. He also informed the Cambodian premier of his talks with Cambodian Ministers of Health, Education, Rural Development, Planning and Economy, especially on bilateral cooperation in accordance with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s rectangular strategy focusing on the areas of education, human resource training, rural development, new village development, public health, and public infrastructure. For his part, Premier Hun Sen has suggested KOICA to examine on infrastructure issues as well as water resources and to encourage more Korean investors and tourists to Cambodia. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

Ministry of Health Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Construction of Cambodia-Korea Ophthalmology Friendship Center worth over 5 Million USD

The groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Cambodia-Korea ophthalmology friendship center was held on 22 October 2013 under Presidency of H.E. Mom Bunheng, Minister of Health and H.E. Kim Han Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of KOICA. According to Mr. Lu Ly Khieng, Director of Preah Ang Duong Hospital, the building was supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea which is projected to spend 5,5 million USD. Mr. Kim Young Mok hoped that this project will provide a fruitful result and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Furthermore, he considered the center as a symbol represent for cooperation of the two countries. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

Korea to Host the 7^th Korean Film Festival in Cambodia

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts will co-host the 7th Korean Film Festival at Lux Cinema to be held on 25-27 October 2013.  The Opening Session for the festival will be started at 7PM on 25 October 2013, in the Presence of H.E. Kim Han Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and H.E. Som Sokun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The festival will be made with the aim of showing Korean culture to Cambodian people so as to strengthen mutual understanding on cultural sector between the two nations. The Film Festival will show four popular Korean films including Hello Ghost, Arahan, Leafie a Hen into the Wild, and Miracle in Cell No. 7. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 23 October 2013)

Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 22, 2013

1.                               Politics/Human Rights

Phnom Penh City Hall Allows CNRP to Make a Demonstration Participate by 10,000 Demonstrators But Not Make a Procession or Stay at the Park

The Phnom Penh Capital Hall has allowed Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) to make a non-violent demonstration on 23 October, at Freedom Par, which will be participated by 10,000 demonstrators only. Besides, it does not allow to make a procession, bring a petition and stay at Freedom Park, said Mr. Khoung Sreng, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, during the meeting between the representative of CNRP and the Phnom Penh Capital Hall on 21 October 2013. Anyhow, CNRP still show its stance that from 20,000 to 50,000 demonstrators will join a protest and a procession will be made as well. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 22 October 2013)

2.                 Economy/Development

Cambodia-Japan Bilateral Trade Increases 503 Million USD

From January to August 2013, the trade between Cambodia and Japan was 503 million USD worth, up 24 percent in comparing to the same period last year. Cambodia’s export to Japan was 358 million USD worth, up 39 percent, while Japan’s export to Cambodia was 145 million USD, up 2 percent, according to a report. Japan’s import products to Cambodia including vehicle, motorbike, electronic products and machinery, while Cambodia’s export to Japan including the products from garment industry and shoes. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 22 October 2013)