Cambodia Morning News For March 29

Foreign Direct Investment in Cambodia Reaches $2.5 Billion by 2017
Senior officials of the Ministry of Economy and Finance said that foreign direct investment in Cambodia reached $ 2.5 billion by 2017, and will increase to approximately $3 billion by 2018.
— Fresh News

UN data show nearly half of Kingdom’s rice exports undocumented
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is forecasting that 44 percent of Cambodia’s total rice exports will be smuggled out of the country through informal channels this year, a persistent problem that weighs down profits and threatens to cripple the industry.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian duo’s Eco-Plastic takes 2nd in startup challenge
A PAIR OF FEMALE Cambodian entrepreneurs placed second in a regional business competition on Saturday, beating out university teams from six countries with their startup idea – called Eco-Plastic – that could utilise Cambodia’s plastic waste to pave cheaper, more durable roads.
— The Nation

No political crisis, premier says
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday reaffirmed that no political crisis existed and the upcoming election would take place as scheduled.
— Khmer Times

PM predicts at least $250 per month for garment workers in 2023
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced yesterday that in 2023 garment and footwear industry workers can expect a minimum wage of at least $250 per month.
— Khmer Times

Ministry sees strong growth for Kingdom
Cambodia should continue to see steady economic growth at about 7 percent this year despite potential investor caution that could arise ahead of July’s national election, officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) said on Wednesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

PM Hun Sen Appeals Not to Increase Taxi Fee in Khmer New Year (Video inside)
Addressing to 14,000 garment workers from 23 factories in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey, Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed to all taxi drivers not to increase fees for traveling during the upcoming Khmer New Year which affects the expenditure of passengers, especially workers.
— Fresh News

Authorities call for increased surveillance of unions, NGOs
Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Chuon Sovann on Wednesday ordered authorities in Phnom Penh to tighten their grip on a broad cross-section of groups, including civil society organisations and communities with “opposition tendencies”, that attempt to cause “social instability” and “political turmoil”.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Germany-led meet seeks to get produce to China
Germany’s international development agency (GIZ) held a workshop on Tuesday that promoted Cambodian agricultural exports to China, focusing on the necessary export guidelines and the sanitation standards that are often lacking in the Kingdom’s agricultural value chains.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Former Cambodian opposition leader urges Canada to take action on election delay
Former deputy opposition leader Mu Sochua, testifying before the Canadian parliament’s subcommittee on International Human Rights, urged a delay of Cambodia’s July 29 national election to allow more time for opposition parties to contest the polls.
— The Nation

Singapore firm to integrate government’s permitting, licensing process
Singapore-based vCargo Cloud has secured a contract to integrate the online systems of several government ministries in order to facilitate license and permit issuing services.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Agriculture hits the doldrums
Agriculture plays a crucial contribution to economic growth, but a dramatically slowdown in the last five years has led to concern and the need for government and stakeholders to adopt policies to promote the sector.
— Khmer Times

Feature photo Michael Coghlan

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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.