Cambodia Morning News For April 3

Government to offer free bus services to provinces for Khmer New Year
The government plans to provide limited free bus services on a first-come, first-served basis along National Roads 1 and 5 during the week of Khmer New Year, though how such a plan will be implemented remains unclear.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian farmers sue Thai sugar group Mitr Phol over alleged land grab
Farmers from Cambodia have filed a lawsuit in a Thai civil court against Asia’s largest sugar producer, accusing it of rights abuses after it allegedly kicked farmers off their land, a rights group said on Monday.
— Reuters

Chinese firm breaks ground on Kratie cassava factory
Hong Kong-based Green Leader Holding Group broke ground on a $20 million cassava processing factory in Kratie province’s Snuol district yesterday, part of the company’s plan to spend $150 million on 10 processing factories in the next 3 years.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Angkor sees strong tourist growth in first quarter
Revenue from ticket sales to foreign visitors at Angkor Archaeological Park reached $39.6 million in the first quarter of this year, up 28 percent from the same period last year, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Interview: Cambodian deputy PM highlights China’s role in promoting peace, development
China plays a big role in solving the Korean Peninsula issue and promoting peace and development in the world, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Thursday.
— Khmer Times

Hun Sen’s legacy hinges on his ‘borami’
The Khmer phrase mian borami is common these days in one of the most vibrant capitals in Asean.
— Bangkok Post

Interior Minister responds to complaints about cameras
Interior Minister Sar Kheng yesterday responded to complaints about hidden traffic cameras, saying they must be used to fine those breaking the Traffic Law.
— Khmer Times

Despite Regulatory Uncertainties, Cambodia’s Cryptocurrency Industry Marches Forward
Irrespective of the fact there are still no clear regulatory guidelines for the cryptocurrency industry in Cambodia, the country seems to be moving forward.
— Smartereum

Acleda Bank sees profit fall as loan defaults rise
Acleda Bank, which holds nearly 20 percent of the total assets of Cambodia’s banking sector, reported a net profit of $92.5 million last year, down from $127.3 million a year before.
— The Phnom Penh Post

CDC to issue 35 project certificates in industries
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has preliminarily issued final registration certificates for 35 projects with a combined investment capital of $444 million from January to the end of last month.
— Khmer Times

Mixed Opinions on Vietnam’s Historical Role in Cambodia Spark Debate
A Cambodia researcher has said that Vietnam took a risk by supporting Prime Minister Hun Sen but saw him as an intelligent and capable leader who could support their narrative of liberation from the Khmer Rouge.
— VOA Cambodia

Cambodia Arrests Former Provincial Governor Over Lover’s Mysterious Death
Authorities in Cambodia have arrested the former governor of Takeo province in connection with the mysterious death of a National Assembly staffer he was romantically involved with, according to official sources.
— Radio Free Asia

Overseas Cambodians Step Up Activism in Light of Gov’t Crackdown
In March, a group of Cambodians in Europe gathered to protest at the United Nations Human Rights Council office in Geneva, Switzerland, as the body was due to review human rights situation in Cambodia.
— VOA Cambodia

SmartPay allows customers to shop on Google Play
Smart Axiata, Cambodia’s leading mobile telecommunications operator, has upgraded its SmartPay mobile payment service.
— Khmer Times

PPMC Orders Rainsy to Clarify the “Handover Provinces” Case (Video inside)
Phnom Penh Municipal Court (PPMC)’s Prosecutor Sieng Sok ordered Sam Rainsy to appear at the court on May 07, 2018 to clarify the case of signing an agreement on April 14, 2013 to hand over four Cambodian provinces to Montagnard groups in Vietnam, according to Ly Sophanna, court’s spokesman, on Monday.
— Fresh News

The Cambodian potters spinning back the wheel of time
Archaeologists have determined that the Angkorians used throwing wheels as early as the sixth century, as well as high-temperature kilns – advanced techniques that were, until recently, lost in Cambodia.
— The Phnom Penh Post (video)

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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.