Cambodia Morning News For February 16

Activists risk their lives to protect Cambodia’s environment
Political opponents have been jailed or driven into exile, the media is muzzled and the voices of civil society are barely heard these days.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Cambodia business costs under fire
PRIVATE-sector representatives in Cambodia are deeply concerned by the government’s inability to reduce the cost of doing business in the country, and they warn that the country would start to lose investors if the situation did not improve.
— The Nation

Cambodian property is an attractive investment for wealthy Chinese buyers
There is a new sign opposite the Cambodian National Assembly in the centre of Phnom Penh.
— Asean Today

EPO members allowed to file patents in Kingdom
Cambodia will soon become a validation state in the European patent system, allowing the 38 members of the European Patent Organisation to apply to validate their patents within the Kingdom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian rail line to Thai border ready for test
The section of the western railway line linking Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province to Battambang is now ready to be tested after the train stations were connected on Tuesday, with trial runs likely to happen before Khmer New Year, according to the Cambodian transport minister.
— Bangkok Post

Poipet casino operator won’t post net profits
Donaco Casino International, operator of Poipet’s Star Vegas Resort casino in Poipet, has announced it will not post a statutory net profit for the second half of 2017 or all of 2018, according to regional gaming news site GGR Asia.
— The Phnom Penh Post

‘At Some Point, You Owe a Country So Much That They Own You’
Economist Ear Sophal discusses Cambodia’s changing international relations with VOA Khmer’s reporter Sok Khemara.
— VOA

Cambodian journalists start petition to free ex-RFA reporters charged with espionage
Cambodian journalists this week started a petition seeking the release of two former Radio Free Asia journalists who were arrested on accusations of “espionage” during a crackdown on the political opposition and independent media outlets.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Bringing home the bacon: Pork sales surge for Chinese New Year
Unlike many of Phnom Penh’s residents, Korn Mao doesn’t take time off during Chinese New Year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Lion dance performed in Cambodia to greet Chinese New Year
Lion dance was performed in Cambodia on Thursday to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, which will fall on Friday.
— Xinhua

Feature photo Michael Coghlan

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.