Cambodia Morning News For August 17

Over $6B exported in first half: Ministry of Commerce
The Kingdom’s total exports under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) during the first half of this year accounted $6.2 billion from $5.3 billion in the same period last year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Preferential Tariff Cut Does Not Concern the New Royal Government: CPP Spokesman (Video inside)
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman Suos Yara stated that the Royal Government of Cambodia of the 6th mandate, led by CPP, is not concerned by the threat of cutting preferential tariff by some countries fueled by unfortunate politicians, speaking on Thursday morning at the press conference in Phnom Penh.
— Fresh News

RDB to request an extra $50 million to beef up agriculture emergency fund
The Rural Development Bank (RDB), a state-own institution, plans to request an additional $50 million to beef up the government-led emergency fund for the agriculture sector, according to a bank representative.
— Khmer Times

Hun Sen calls on officials to update property tax scheme
Caretaker Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called on officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance to re-examine the duties on property transfers, saying the current fee system is outdated as it is three years old.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Overseas demand for local rice paper on the rise
Amru Rice, a major rice miller and exporter, said international demand for its organic rice paper is strong, with the company exporting more than 50 tonnes of the product in the last 12 months.
— Khmer Times

Director Peter Weir flies to the defence of accused spy and filmmaker James Ricketson in Cambodia
The trial of Australian filmmaker James Ricketson began in Cambodia on Thursday, with a panel of judges grilling a character witness over the accused spy’s finances and links to the Australian Government.
— ABC News

Group Lease downshifting in Cambodia, Indonesia
SET-listed Group Lease Plc (GL) will shift its focus to Thailand and Myanmar as Cambodian and Indonesian operations are downsized because of unresolved conflicts with J Trust Asia Pte Ltd (JTA), GL’s former.
— Bangkok Post

Tourist arrivals up by 12%
Cambodia welcomed more than three million foreign tourists in the first half this year, an increase of 12.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, official data from the Ministry of Tourism said.
— The Phnom Penh Post

CPP Spokesman: New Government to Put Policies into Actions for the Sakes of Nation and People (Video inside)
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman Sok Eysan said on Thursday that the new government, led by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, is committed to transform the party’s policies into a reality for the causes of the kingdom and the Cambodian people, speaking at a press conference of the CPP on the official election results at the Sofitel Phnom Penh on Thursday.
— Fresh News

The ubiquitous three-wheelers
While they may seem more at home in the heaving streets of Mumbai or Calcutta, three-wheel tuk tuks are making steady inroads in Cambodia.
— Khmer Times

Fintech association launched
In a move to support the development of innovative financial technologies and connect businesses in the industry, the Cambodia Fintech Association (CFA) launched Wednesday in a ceremony that was attended by main industry players as well as regulators.
— Khmer Times

US Expands Visa Restrictions for Cambodians Linked to Controversial Elections
The United States Department of State announced on Thursday it would be expanding visa restrictions against Cambodians linked to recent controversial elections in the country.
— LAHT

Freight forwarders urged to embrace e-commerce
The air freight sector should adopt paperless processes and embrace e-commerce to meet rising demand for air cargo services in the country, industry insiders said on Wednesday.
— Khmer Times

Ex-Funcinpec leader files over ‘conspiracy’
Former Funcinpec deputy secretary-general Suong Phally filed a complaint with the capital’s municipal court on Monday demanding one billion riel ($245,000) compensation from five party officials for conspiring to end his membership.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia and Hun Many Donate to Flood-Affected Families in Kampong Cham
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo and Member of Parliament Hun Many distributed donations to over 1,500 flood-affected families in Koh Sotin, Kampong Cham Province on Thursday morning.
— Fresh News

Health ministry warns of risk from illegal creams
The Ministry of Health warned the public not to buy the Glutaone 600 and Firmax 3 products as they were illegally distributed and could lead to serious health risks.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Huge timber busts in north
The Mondulkiri provincial authority on Wednesday refuted claims that it had turned a blind eye to illegal timber trafficking to neighbouring Vietnam.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Sihanoukville Police Launches Large-scale Drug Crackdown, Arrests 53
Sihanoukville police force, on early Thursday morning, launched a large scale crackdown on drug case at the “Skyline” entertainment club in Sihanoukville province.
— Fresh News

Carlsberg takes larger portion of Cambrew
DENMARK-based Carlsberg Group has expanded its ownership of the Kingdom’s beverage firm, Cambrew, to 75 per cent, it said on Monday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Feature photo Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi

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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.