Cambodia Morning News For February 26

Cambodia ruling party wins all senate seats: election committee
Cambodia’s ruling party won all the Senate seats at stake in an election Sunday, according to the National Election Committee, further consolidating the party’s lock on power in one of Southeast Asia’s economically fastest growing but most authoritarian nations.
— Bangkok Post

Industrial sector grows, but still reliant on garment factories
The government released a summary of the country’s industrial sector over the past five years, showing a marked increase in growth across a wide variety of indicators.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian Rice Organization Facing Own Problems
In a report last month, the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) warned the country’s market for exports could be destroyed by secret or unlawful sales of rice.
— VOA

Business Insider: Rubber firm expands processing power
Europe-based international rubber firm Socfin is nearing completion on its first rubber processing factory in Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia a sweet option for investors
CAMBODIA offers potential for Thai investors seeking to expand their portfolios at a time when their purchasing power is increasing, Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, has told The Nation after he met with Thailand’s Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong.
— The Nation

Cambodia touts plan to slash electricity fees for businesses
Cambodia seeks to lower electricity fees for companies in the country to set off an increase of labor costs due to a higher minimum wage, says a Cambodian minister in charge of foreign direct investment.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Four New Factories to Be Established in Cambodia
Four new factories have been licensed by Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) to be established in Cambodia in early February 2018, with a capital of approximately $60 million, creating about 3,458 jobs, according to CDC’s official Facebook post on Sunday.
— Fresh News

Inthanin Coffee to expand in Cambodia
CAMBODIA-BASED RCG Retail (Cambodia) Co Ltd has plans to open over 100 stores selling Thailand’s Inthanin brand of coffee in Cambodia from next month until the year 2022, after last week signing a memorandum of understanding with Thailand-based Bangchak Retail Co Ltd.
— The Nation

Media under threat: report
Media outlets in Cambodia have came under increasing threat over the past year, according to a new report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), though the Ministry of Information, responding to a similar recent report, has insisted freedom of expression and the press is guaranteed in the Kingdom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

With CARI Act, US Senators Hope to Fight Chinese Influence in Cambodia
The bill would mark the most severe sanctions on Cambodia since 1997 when the United States cut off aid after Hun Sen ousted his co-Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh in a bloody coup.
— VOA

Japan Continues to Support Cambodia amid Former Opposition Party’s Request
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced his strong commitment to assisting Cambodia, according to Japanese premier’s letter sent to Prime Minister Hun Sen on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Japan-Cambodia relations dated February 2018.
— Fresh News

GDP’s new party model a boon, burden
Before a crowd of about 70 of his peers on Saturday, Khath Sothy walked up to the podium and started to list his resume.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Chinese state councilor meets Cambodian king, queen mother
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, on Sunday in Beijing.
— Xinhua

Feature photo Maite Elorza

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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.