Cambodia morning news for January 22

Commission approves three-year tariffs on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar
The EU will impose tariffs on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar in order to curb a surge in “damaging” imports, the European Commission has confirmed.
— IEG Policy (paywall)

Cambodian PM tells Enda Kenny EU trying to hold his people ‘hostage’
Populism grows when governments fail to engage with the “middle people,” the former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, told an audience in Cambodia recently.
— The Irish Times

Cambodia considers launching WTO case against EU rice tariffs
The Cambodian government is collecting evidence to “make a case” against the EU’s newly imposed rice tariffs and prove that it represents a “discriminatory trade action”.
— IEG Policy (paywall)

Cambodia 3rd in Asean for tourist growth
In 2018 Cambodia experienced the third largest increase in international tourists in Asean, behind only Vietnam and Indonesia, according to data recently released by the Ministry of Tourism.
— Khmer Times

Ministry to lose $60M a year in revenue
The Ministry of Commerce will lose $60 million in revenue annually after the government eliminated export procedures in a campaign to boost competitiveness, a senior official at the ministry has said.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia ‘demands Amazon stop selling lavatory seat covers decorated with Angkor Wat temple’
Cambodia has reportedly demanded that Amazon stop selling lavatory seat covers decorated with scenes from its world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex, and bath mats depicting the national flag.
— The Telegraph

Cambodian rice sanctions advocate charged
A Cambodian opposition MP and advocate of sanctions against the one-party state has been charged under the catch-all term of incitement after the dictatorial prime minister, Hun Sen, threatened to renew last year’s political crackdown if the European Union withdrew trade benefits.
— Asean Economist

Cambodia’s Hun Sen meets Xi Jinping on Beijing visit
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing that reinforces ties between China and its closest ally in Southeast Asia.
— The Washington Post

Cambodia’s Textile Sector Outlook
ambodia’s textiles exports continue to expand and will make up a considerable input to the country’s economy over the medium term, although the country is seeking to diversify away from its reliance on textile manufacturing and rising labour costs present a risk as well.
— Fitch Solutions (media release)

Three pay election boycott fines
Three former Battambang provincial opposition officials who were found guilty of participating in last year’s “Clean Finger Campaign” have paid their fines to the National Election Committee.
— Khmer Times

Unionists called to court seven years after protest
Workers (CUMW) president Pav Sina and six other union members were summoned to appear at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on January 25 over a protest in 2012.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Border market to be ready by Khmer New Year
The construction of a model market in the border with Vietnam will be finished by April, a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce said.
— Khmer Times

Pro-Rainsy faction issues five-point return strategy
Supporters of the former opposition party today opened a two-week conference in the United States by issuing a five-point strategy to ensure the safe return of Sam Rainsy to Cambodia, a move highly criticised by CPP officials and the pro-Kem Sokha faction alike.
— Khmer Times

Xi calls for building of China-Cambodia community of shared future
President Xi Jinping met with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Monday, calling for joint efforts to build a community of shared future with strategic significance between China and Cambodia.
— Xinhua

The Siem Reap gallery preserving the Kingdom’s cultural treasures
For almost a decade, Theam’s House art gallery has promoted the beauty of Khmer art and handicrafts, lacquerware and silk to visitors from around the world.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Cambodia businesses, unions ask EU not to impose trade sanctions
Cambodian businesses and unions urged the European Union on Monday to not withdraw trade preferences from Cambodia over human rights concerns, saying such a decision would pose serious economic damage and harm millions of workers and their families.
— Reuters

81% Cambodian factories following new wage plan: Govt
Eighty one per cent of garment and footwear factories in Cambodia have implemented the government’s new requirement to pay workers’ wages twice a month, the ministry of labour and vocational training recently announced.
— Fibre2fashion.com

Hun Sen’s China visit ‘a good opportunity’
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Beijing on Sunday to discuss economic and trade issues presents a good opportunity for the Kingdom to strengthen Chinese ties and counter punitive measures by the West, an analyst says. The prime minister’s four-day official visit to China will begin on Sunday and run until Wednesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Samdech Sar Kheng Suggests Five Points to Reduce Traffic Accidents
Dissemination of Traffic Law, law enforcement, road engineering, first aid, and road safety work promotion are the five points suggested by Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to reduce traffic accidents.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

We need to put a face to the economy and make it human
In Cambodia, women’s work is the bedrock of a well-functioning economy that is growing at 7 percent per annum.
— Khmer Times

Experts aim to tackle mental illness among Cambodians
Pyschologists and mental health experts said on Sunday that mental illness is curable, but there is a lack of understanding of it among Cambodians, causing them not to consult with experts.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Seed strategy to boost agriculture
A national strategy for enhancing seed quality and production was presented to the public last week.
— Khmer Times

China welcomes foreign competition in Cambodia
Cambodia both needs and benefits from China’s investment in its infrastructure construction, while China welcomes other countries’ participation in the Cambodian market and is willing to compete there based on fair terms, analysts said.
— Global Times

Toyota Impact Challenge / Cambodian startup lands $10k for smart recycling solution
Seated in the gallery of an old garment factory-turned-creative workspace on Saturday afternoon, three teams of entrepreneurial Cambodian youths waited on the edge of their seats to hear which of their startup ideas would win $10,000 in seed funding – a considerable prize that could see their fledgling business concepts take flight.
— Southeast Asia Globe

Indian textile mills heading to Ethiopia to take on Bangladesh, Cambodia
KPR Mills, one of the major factories in the textile town of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, said today that it has started a unit in Ethiopia to take advantage of lower labour cost, duty savings and shorter shipment time to the US and European markets.
— Business Standard

Sabre recruits Cambodia Airways
Sabre Corporation has inked a long-term distribution agreement with Cambodia Airways that will help it tap travel agency bookings.
— TTR Weekly

Embassy supports Vietnamese Cambodians in Tonle Sap Lake
A delegation of the Embassy of Vietnam in Cambodia led by Ambassador Vu Quang Minh visited Vietnamese Cambodians in Kampong Chhang province on January 21 ahead of Vietnam’s Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
— Vietnam+

Empty Forests in Virachey Park
The roar of the tiger has been replaced by the growl of the chain saw in Northeastern Cambodia’s Virachey National Park, along with the honking of great hornbills, which has been supplanted by the chirping of crickets.
— Cambodia News English

Facebook meets with cybercrime experts to fight ‘fake news’ spread
Facebook representatives met with the Kingdom’s anti-cybercrime department on Friday to foster cooperation in the fight against fake news.
— Phnom Penh Post

Chinese Police Vs. Online Gambling
Chinese police have recently cracked down on a group of online casinos, arresting a total of 160 suspects.
— Cambodia News English

City Hall bans politics from Chea Vichea ceremony
City Hall is allowing union members to mark the anniversary of the death of union leader Chea Vichea, who was gunned down in broad daylight, but it said that it will not permit the participation of any former opposition leaders who are banned from politics.
— Khmer Times

‘Action needed to stop road deaths doubling by next year’
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has expressed concern over the rate of traffic accidents, saying the death toll will double by 2020 if no effective preventive measures were put in place. At least five people on average are killed on Cambodian roads every day.
— Phnom Penh Post

Fake Condiment Factory Busted
Currently, some companies and factories are increasing the production of counterfeit products. Poor standards cause health problems to the lives of Khmer citizens. A medium-sized factory manufacturing ingredients, owned by a Chinese company, with 5 Chinese staff was raided after information of illegal production.
— Cambodia News English

Cambodia prepared for EU rice tariffs: Ministry
The government has downplayed the effects tariffs imposed by the European Union will have on the rice industry, arguing that it had been preparing for this scenario through a strategy to make the trade industry less dependent on the European bloc.
— Khmer Times

Authorities urge public over military ceremony
The Army Headquarters will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its establishment on Thursday in a private military ceremony. In conjunction with this, a government spokesperson urged the public to be aware of the movement of troops and armoured vehicles, as well as fabricated reports.
— Phnom Penh Post

Cooperative Agreement to Boost ICT at High Schools
Royal Government of Cambodia has entered an agreement with telecommunication service provider, branded as Viettel Cambodia, to promote ICT education in twenty high schools.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Asian Cultural Council formally launched in Cambodia
The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) was officially launched here on Tuesday, aiming at promoting cultural diversity and forging cooperation among countries in the region.
— Infosurhoy

Computer lab project announced
The government unveiled last week a new project supported by Viettel (Cambodia) that will see the construction of computer labs in 20 high schools nationwide.
— Khmer Times

Brink’s enters partnership with local logistics firm
WorldBridge Secure Logistics, a member of the WorldBridge Group, on Friday signed a joint-venture agreement with US security and protection company Brink’s.
— Khmer Times

Forte Insurance supports farmers
Insurance is a key player in ensuring financial security for farmers, which is crucial for an agriculture-based country such as Cambodia. One of the players in the insurance market, Forte Insurance, has been providing such policies, in a pilot project for the sector, since 2015.
— Phnom Penh Post

Casino staff arrested after ‘client collusion’
Five casino employees in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town are being detained in provincial prison for allegedly colluding with clients, according to family members.
— Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian PM Visits China’s 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up Expo
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, visited the Exhibition of the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up of China, at the National Museum of China in Beijing this morning.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Cambodian PM Meets Chairman of China’s Sinosteel Corporation
Chairman of China’s Sinosteel Corporation, Mr. Xu Siwei, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China this morning.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Cambodian PM Receives Lower Sesan 2 Hydro Power Operator
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen held talks in Beijing, China this morning with a delegation of Huaneng Group, the operator of Lower Sesan 2 hydropower plant in Cambodia, led by its Chairman Mr. Shu Yinbiao.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Feature photo Unicef/ Sokchanlina Lim

This week’s Cambodia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Education, January 24.

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.

Cambodia morning news for January 22 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on January 22, 2019
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.