Cambodia Morning News For October 17

Cambodian rubber exports rise 33%
Cambodia’s rubber exports to the international market saw an increase of 33% in the first nine months of 2017, while the average price for the commodity went up 53%, compared with the same period last year.
— Bangkok Post

Cambodia’s parliament votes for party law changes as opposition future in limbo
Cambodia’s parliament voted to change party laws on Monday to re-distribute seats if a party is dissolved after the government filed a lawsuit earlier this month to dissolve the main opposition party, part of an escalating political crisis.
— Today Online

Asean MPs Condemn Cambodia Crackdown on Opposition
A group of Asian parliamentarians on Friday condemned the Cambodian government’s crackdown on the opposition, which it said was leading to one-party rule.
— VOA

The Future of Cambodia: Tourism
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh has just opened its doors for the day and Chinese tourists are already arriving by the busload, sporting bumbags and armed with expensive camera equipment as they queue for the first tour of the morning.
— Southeast Asia Globe

French airport group banks on rising Kingdom fliers
Passenger growth for Vinci Airports, the airport management arm of French conglomerate Vinci, increased by 12.6 percent during the first nine months of 2017 compared with the same period last year, with Cambodia operations showing the largest percentage growth for the company.
— The Phnom Penh Post

SECC set to publish new bond booklet
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia (SECC) announced yesterday that it will publish a new updated Cambodia Bond Market Guide by the end of this year, with the hopes that it will raise public awareness for the new financial tool that received a formal regulatory framework in August.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s Economic Growth Will Require Industry Shift
Cambodia recently made the transition from a low income to a lower middle-income country, according to the World Bank’s rankings.
— The News len

Cambodia prepares to welcome five new airlines
Five new Cambodia-based passenger airlines are expected to begin operations within the coming year, opening the way for greater connectivity to both domestic and international destinations across Asia and Europe.
— Business Traveller

Bar members bemoan low payment for pro bono work
The Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) yesterday said it would receive around $222,000 to provide pro bono services to poorer defendants in 2018, though many members said the influx of cash – while an increase – was still not enough to defend the thousands of clients bar members are charged with representing each year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Plea to world’s parliamentarians: Help save Cambodian democracy
I appeal to the representatives of 173 parliaments now gathered in St Petersburg at the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly, for their help to save the principle of parliamentary representation in Cambodia.
— The Nation

Local cryptocurrency group holds first meet
The Khmer Crypto Foundation, an assortment of over a 100 bitcoin and digital currency investors and enthusiasts, held its first general meeting yesterday with the aim to educate members about how to comply with potential regulations governing the use of blockchain technology, according to a press release yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Feature photo World Bank Photo Collection/Chhor Sokunthea
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Cambodia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Cambodia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.