Cambodia Morning News For July 12

NGOS, Unions Urge Intervention in Cambodia’s Political Crisis Amid EU Fact-Finding Mission
NGOs and unions are calling on the European Union to help resolve Cambodia’s political crisis ahead of a general election this month, as a delegation from the bloc wraps up a fact-finding mission to assess the country’s compliance with its human rights obligations as dictated by a tariff-free export scheme.
— Radio Free Asia

Private sector to EU: Don’t punish Cambodia
Representatives of the Kingdom’s private sector this week urged the European Union not to cancel the Everything-but-arms (EBA) scheme in response to a perceived deterioration of human rights and democracy in the country.
— Khmer Times

China Spy Network Targets Cambodia Ahead of Elections: Report
Friendly countries often spy on each other. The United States has been caught spying on its allies in Europe, despite their normally tight, close-knit diplomatic ties.
— The Diplomat

A new carrier takes off in capital
Cambodia Airways, the latest passenger airline to enter the Kingdom, launched its first domestic flight on Tuesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

NEC Allows Special Guests to Observe Cambodian Election
The National Election Committee (NEC) has decided to allow special guests to observe the sixth mandate National Assembly election this July 29, according to the NEC’s decision on Tuesday.
— Fresh News

Hopes banked on new rice facilities amid export dip
Cambodian rice exports decrease nearly six percent year-on-year during the first half of the year, while an official from the Ministry of Agriculture urged the private sector to secure a solid position in the international market.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia: Military, Police Campaigning for Ruling Party
Cambodian military officers, gendarmes, and police officers are actively campaigning for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), in violation of Cambodia’s law requiring political neutrality, Human Rights Watch said today.
— Human Right Watch

Port expansion in initial stages
Construction work for the expansion of the Stung Hav International Seaport in Preah Sihanouk province has yet to begin, with the companies behind the project still working on the feasibility study, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
— Khmer Times

Chinese investment continues to fuel bullish Sihanoukville property sector
Sihanoukville’s property sector saw strong growth during the first few months of the year due to a favorable investment environment that has attracted new investors and projects, insiders say.
— Khmer Times

Kamchay Hydropower Dam to Open Its Sluice Gates Today 5 P.M
Kamchay Hydropower Dam will open its sluice gates Wednesday evening at 5 p.m, thus urged Kampot authorities and citizens to take timely action accordingly, according to announcement of Sinohydro Kamchay Hydroelectric Project Co., Ltd. Fresh News received earlier.
— Fresh News

Private equity could help struggling SMEs grow: CSX
Small and medium enterprises struggling to raise capital should consider private equity, said a senior official at the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX).
— Khmer Times

Australian firm gets mining license for Mondulkiri
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has granted a mining license to Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia), a subsidiary of Australia-based Emerald Resources NL, to extract gold in Mondulkiri province.
— Khmer Times

The Royal Government of Cambodia Expresses Condolences to the People of Japan
On behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen sent his heartfelt condolences to the Prime Minister and the people of Japan, particularly the bereaved families at this moment of profound grief and immense loss, according to the press release dated on 10 July 2018.
— Fresh News

Forest crimes are up, as elections occupy cops
Activists in the northern provinces of Cambodia claimed on Tuesday that while police forces are busy providing security for the July 29 national elections, they are witnessing a worrying spike in forest crimes.
— The Phnom Penh Post

King and Queen Mother Donates $1 Million to Kantha Bopha Hospital
His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk donated $1 Million to Kantha Bopha Hospital, providing free treatment to children nationwide, according to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni official facebook page on Wednesday.
— Fresh News

Health Ministry’s disease control department warns of flu season
The Ministry of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) has warned the public to beware of the seasonal strain of influenza H1N1, also known as “swine flu”, during the current rainy season.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Australian filmmaker apologizes to Cambodia PM ahead of espionage trial
Jailed Australian filmmaker James Ricketson has apologized for disrespectful comments about Cambodia’s long serving Prime Minister Hun Sen ahead of a trial in which he stands accused of espionage and faces 10 years in jail if convicted.
— Business Insider

Feature photo John Le Fevre

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.