Cambodia aimed to become one of the region’s main rubber producers over the next few years despite the industry’s low international recognition, officials said during the second Global Rubber Conference, held in Phnom Penh on Friday. To that end, the Kingdom had encouraged companies and investors <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/rubber-industry-growth-a-priority/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Panellists at the first “Permanent People’s Tribunal” on wages and conditions for Cambodian garment workers yesterday released their findings, declaring that a living wage for workers should be considered a “human right”. The hearing included two days of testimony by workers, labour experts and brand-name buyers. While <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/living-wage-a-human-right/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The contractor in charge of rebuilding Cambodia’s national railway has been cutting corners on the health and safety of its workers, according to a report published yesterday by the asian Development Bank. TSO-aS &amp; Nawarath, a French-Thai joint venture, was reportedly found to have grossly violated <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/railway-project-suffers-a-blow/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Authorities in KrAtie province yesterdAy demolished A dozen fAmily fArms deemed illegAl in Snuol district’s Khsoem commune. A villAger who requested Anonymity sAid thAt the demolition wAs conducted by provinciAl And district Authorities Along with police And militAry police officers. <A href='https://opendevelopmentcAmbodiA.net/news/A-dozen-krAtie-fArms-demolished/ ' clAss='cAmbodiA-color'>...A>

The National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) opened its two-day workshop on Wednesday, with attendees hailing its role in facilitating ongoing reforms in the way finances are administered and responsibilities carried out in Cambodia.​ <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/government-reform-policy-a-success/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) on Monday said ‘fake news’ has been polluting publications and sparking controversy in the Kingdom, especially on social media. The remarks were made on Monday at a roundtable discussion organised by CCJ in Phnom Penh. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/fake-news-a-serious-issue/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Government spending on social welfare and economic development could both see double-digit growth next year, according to a document summarizing expenditures in next year’s budget that will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen today. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/budget-for-a-rising-economy/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

A bAnking sector initiAtive lAunched yesterdAy Aims to Advise CAmbodiA’s finAnciAl sector on best prActices for sustAinAble lending while cApitAlising on the growing pool of internAtionAl funds thAt could flow into green And sociAlly responsible projects. The SustAinAble FinAnce InitiAtive will conduct two yeArs of <A href='https://opendevelopmentcAmbodiA.net/news/bAnking-with-A-positive-spin/ ' clAss='cAmbodiA-color'>...A>

The elders of Banteay Village have a favorite comparison when discussing the temple perched above a floodplain on the outskirts of town. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/a-kings-temple-remembered/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Experts warn that Cambodia’s imminent move up to lower-middle income status could lead to a drop in foreign aid and economic assistance. While the status upgrade would affirm Cambodia’s economic openness, higher wages and increasing foreign investment, it could also lead developed countries to scale <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/a-downside-to-economic-success/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The double-digit growth of consumer lending in Cambodia has created a need for a comprehensive and centralised database of individual credit histories. The Post’s Cam McGrath sat down with Pascal Ly, CEO of the Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC), to discuss the role of the Kingdom’s <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/a-clearer-picture-for-lenders/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The information minister announced yesterday that the government is one step closer to establishing an access to information law, in response to demands for a more transparent and responsive government. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/information-law-a-step-closer/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Phnom Penh Municipal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a prominent activist and former monk currently living in self-imposed exile who it says has been found guilty of forging public documents and wearing monks’ robes after being defrocked. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/activist-monk-a-wanted-man/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) yesterday sent the newly-drafted petroleum law to civil society organizations and other partner institutions working in the extractive sector for consultations before submitting it to the Council of Ministers for approval by the end of this year. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/petroleum-law-a-step-closer/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The integration of technology into Cambodia’s agricultural sector is vital to increase the competitiveness and overall performance of the Kingdom’s harvest, but efforts to push for widespread adoption of innovative solutions has been slow to take off, industry experts and stakeholders said at a forum <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/innovation-for-a-fruitful-harvest/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday called on banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to suspend loan repayments by borrowers affected by this year’s drought, or either make the loans interest free or cut the rates. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/give-farmers-a-break-pm/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

According to A 2013 United NAtions EnvironmentAl Protection report, A wAter hyAcinth plAnt releAses more thAn 3,000 seeds every yeAr And, becAuse its roots Are floAting, it does not need to be in shAllow wAter to survive. WAter hyAcinth hAs moved rApidly Across South AmericA, <A href='https://opendevelopmentcAmbodiA.net/news/A-wAtery-problem-And-solution/ ' clAss='cAmbodiA-color'>...A>

The plague of army worms that were eating crops in a dozen provinces last week is now under control, the Minister of agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has reported, with the soybean crops recording the most damage. <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/army-worms-beating-a-retreat/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

The government yesterday unveiled its financial sector development strategy for 2016 to 2025, which provides stakeholders with a document to evaluate the last decade of growth while outlining an action plan for the next decade. Chea Serey, director-general of the NBC, said the content of <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/a-roadmap-for-financial-growth/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>

Sihanoukville officials are scrambling to figure out how they will collect rubbish throughout the city &ndash; one of the top tourism destinations in the country &ndash; if waste management firm Cintri makes good on a recent threat to halt services on September 14, raising concerns <a href='https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/news/sihanoukville-facing-a-trash-crisis/ ' class='cambodia-color'>...a>