Sathapana to become a commercial bank
Sathapana Microfinance Plc, one of the largest in Cambodia, will officially transform itself into a commercial bank late next month, a move in line with Japanese-owned Maruhan Bank acquiring a 95.1 percent stake in 2012. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/23125/sathapana-to-become-a-commercial-bank/
US supports TPP bid
The United States yesterday threw its support behind Cambodia becoming a member of the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to promote economic growth, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and the Pacific Rim countries. ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25980/us-supports-tpp-bid/
South Korea pledges $417 million in development loans to Cambodia
South Korea will hand out nearly $420 million in development loans to Cambodia this week, much of it for roads and other infrastructure, bringing its total assistance to more than $880 million since 2001. ...
Hannah Hawkins
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/business/south-korea-pledges-417m-in-development-loans-to-cambodia-124306/
Prison denies radio access to inmates
Inmates at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh will no longer be able to listen to the radio, according to a social media post by a jailed opposition member, which is an apparent violation of the law. ...
May Titthara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/35818/prison-denies-radio-access-to-inmates/
BigPhone dials into local market
Mobile World Investment Corp (MWG) – one of the largest mobile phone and electronic products distribution chains in Vietnam – will open its first store in Cambodia, operating under the name BigPhone.com, according to Vietnamese state media. ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/bigphone-dials-local-market
Tbong Khmum Election Committee probes possible CPP violation
The election committee of Tbong Khmum province is investigating a complaint that the ruling CPP violated electioneering rules by posting party signs on homes before the official campaign period kicks off for the June 4 commune elections. ...
Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/tbong-khmum-election-committee-probes-possible-cpp-violation-128218/
Renewables start to gain traction
Solar power is slowly gaining momentum in Cambodia as a viable source of electricity for the country’s growing energy needs, though stakeholders are anxious to see a real government commitment to establish a beneficial regulatory framework. ...
Matthieu de Gaudemar
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/renewables-start-gain-traction
After protest, farmers’ unrest spreads to neighboring districts
After about 500 protesting farmers blockaded a national road in Battambang province last week, local authorities in neighboring districts are now making efforts to placate hundreds of other farmers also restless over depressed corn and cassava prices. ...
Leng Len
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/protest-farmers-unrest-spreads-neighboring-districts-132586/
Kingdom sees drop in natural disaster deaths
An annual National Committee for Disaster Management report shows that natural disasters have killed at least 103 people, injured 120 people, and affected 2,000 families while also damaging thousands of houses, crops and infrastructure this year. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5098124/kingdom-sees-drop-natural-disaster-deaths/
Hunton & williams advises on commercial close for $1.8 billion Cambodian expressway project
Hunton & Williams LLP is pleased to announce its role as lead transaction counsel to China Road and Bridge Corporation in a $1.8 billion public-private partnership (PPP) development of a 190-kilometer expressway in Cambodia. ...
Business Wire
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180130005036/en/Hunton-Williams-Advises-Commercial-Close-1.8-Billion
CNRP to meet NEC over voter registration ‘problems’
The opposition party will meet with the National Election Committee this morning to discuss a number of “problems” with the voter registration process, highlighting that 2 million people could lose their right to vote at upcoming elections. ...
Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cnrp-meet-nec-over-voter-registration-problems
NGO calls out rangers
The director of an anti-logging NGO has called on the Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate seven government rangers for alleged involvement in forestry crimes in the Phnom Oral Wildlife Sanctuary from February to August this year. ...
Phak Seangly
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ngo-calls-out-rangers
Oranges struggle with disease
Orange farmer Say Samoeurth has been battling an invisible foe. He rarely sees his adversary, a tiny insect known as the Asian citrus psyllid, but wherever it goes this winged pest leaves behind a trail of destruction. ...
Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/oranges-struggle-disease
Human rights watch slams ‘neither free nor fair’ elections
Human Rights Watch (HRW), long one of the government’s harshest critics, on Tuesday condemned the June 4 commune elections as “neither free nor fair” and called for urgent reforms to safeguard next year’s national election. ...
Chhorn Phearun
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/human-rights-watch-slams-neither-free-nor-fair-elections-131317/
NEC backs down on plans for legal action against Facebook critics
The National Election Committee (NEC) on Monday said it would not pursue immediate legal action against Facebook page owners it accused of spreading “inciting” news about its work, but would take unspecified action if false accusations continued. ...
Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/nec-backs-plans-legal-action-facebook-critics-131534/
Embassy in Malaysia sheltering nationals amid crackdown
The Cambodian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has seen an influx of nationals seeking help securing work documents—along with food and shelter—amid a crackdown on unregistered workers in the country, an embassy official said on Thursday. ...
Zsombor Peter
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/embassy-malaysia-sheltering-nationals-amid-crackdown-132519/
New era looms for Kantha Bopha
During the first six months of this year, the hospitals recorded $7.7 million in private donations from Switzerland, compared to $7.4 million during the first six months in 2016, according to Laurent. ...
Yesenia Amaro and Kong Meta
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/new-era-looms-kantha-bopha
Tests verify parasite deaths
The Ministry of Health yesterday issued a warning for citizens not to eat raw or undercooked meat after tests confirmed that eight people who died from eating undercooked wild hog in Kampong Thom province had contracted trichinosis. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5083636/tests-verify-parasite-deaths/
Three activists charged for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for Ley funeral
Three prominent civil society members have been charged with “breach of trust” for allegedly misappropriating funds raised for slain political activist Kem Ley’s funeral, despite the fact that nobody in Ley’s family filed a complaint. ...
Andrew Nachemson and Niem Chheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/three-activists-charged-allegedly-misappropriating-funds-meant-ley-funeral
Swiss aid gives $4.6M for farmers
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) yesterday pledged $4.6 million over three years for phase two of an agriculture assistance program that is intended to help small-scale Cambodian farmers in four northern provinces. ...
Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/swiss-aid-gives-46m-farmers