Kratie province – Cambodia’s transformation from war-torn basket-case to one of Asia’s most promising emerging economies is being overshadowed by a backwards lurch in human rights and land policies that critics say are entrenching poverty. Next week’s visit by Barack Obama, the fist by a U.S. ...

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s land-titling scheme announced in June originally included a directive for granting collective property titles to indigenous communities, but this part of the program was scrapped weeks later as it was deemed too costly and time-consuming, documents obtained yesterday show. For “indigenous ...

Mobile money transfer service WING is preparing to launch a mobile wallet service later this year, and ACLEDA Unity is preparing to expand its own mobile services, enabling people to quickly pay for things just by touching their phone to a point-of-sale terminal. Near-field communications (NFC) ...

About 300 villagers living inside a social land concession in Preah Vihear province’s Kulen district protested at Phnom Penh’s Wat Botum yesterday, requesting that Prime Minister Hun Sen stop provincial authorities from clearing their farmland in preparation for the area to be used to house ...

Almost 500 Tropicana Casino staff from gambling hub Poipet have threatened to strike on Saturday if the casino’s Thai owner does not reinstate their union leader, Sath Ser, sacked by the company for supporting another terminated employee, workers said yesterday. A staff member who did not ...

Environmental protection group Global Witness has added its voice to the growing criticism of the Koh Kong Provincial Court’s decision to end its investigation int the murder of environmental activist Chut Wutty. The decision to drop the case “can only be described by as the latest ...

Tens of thousands of garment workers will enjoy an early start to the Pchum Ben holiday today as they trek back to their homeland. Their excitement, however, is not shared by their bosses, who will Be left to rue a week-long halt in production. Enterprise and establishment ...

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday lashed out at critics of the Mam Sonando verdict, saying outsiders shouldn’t be seeking the release of a prisoner. Speaking to hundreds of villagers at a land title ceremony held in Chhuok district of Kampot province, Hun Sen defended the guilty verdict handed ...

Government officials met with more than 200 Phnom Penh families on Friday to lay out the state’s case for ownership of their land and the compensation they can expect when they are evicted from their homes situated along the city’s railway tracks. The $142 million project ...

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday agreed to delay today’s scheduled questioning of well-known rights investigator Chan Soveth, who has been charged with aiding an unnamed perpetrator in an unnamed crime. Local human rights group Adhoc requested a delay of the court appearance on the grounds that Mr. Soveth is ...

One week after the shooting deaths of forestry activist Chut Wutty and military police officer In Rattana, a suspect was sent to the Koh Kong Provincial Court for questioning late yesterday evening before being remanded to military police custody, a court official said. “The prosecutor hasn’t ...

Although costs can be high for borrowing and it can be difficult to pay regularly every month, the trend of borrowing from banks by Cambodian people to buy property is still steadily increasing, according to experts. Keuk Narin, vice president of Asia Real Estate Cambodia, said ...

The government on Monday re­quested that manufacturers look at raising the minimum wage for garment workers, but only after divided trade unions agree on what that wage should be. “After discussions, those present at the meeting agree in principle to discuss raising the minimum wage ...

The legitimacy of a lawsuit filed by prominent businesswoman Chhin Sokountheary, also known as “Crocodile Grandmother”, accusing Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema of abusing his power by stealing some 34 hectares of privately owned land is being called into question by the Phnom Penh Municipal ...

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday handed over country-specific roadmap to Pakistan ambassadors to Thailand, Uzbekistan and Cambodia that would help strengthen liaison, increase bilateral trade and promote economic cooperation. The Ambassador to Thailand Sohail Khan, Ambassador to Uzbekistan Riaz Hussain Bukhari ...

National insurance broking firm MGA Insurance Brokers is opening a new office in the developing market of Cambodia. The Cambodian operation was being set up as a joint venture with two local brokers, Chantol Seng and Sophat Meas, who had extensive international experience. “Cambodia has a ...

Proper accounting and auditing help promote business opportunity and development, finance experts say. Socheat Chum, a senior associate auditor for KPMG, a professional accounting service, told “New Voices” on Monday that companies with “solid” financial statements will “attract more business partners and be able to borrow ...

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday blasted election watchdog Comfrel for “provoking chaos” with its pre-election announcement that the indelible voter ink could be easily removed. Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Hun Sen said the NGO deserved a share of moral responsibility for some ...

Defence Minister Tea Banh yesterday said the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are ready to protect the Kingdom’s constitution should the opposition’s threatened general strike fall on the wrong side of the law. “A nationwide general strike or mass demonstration must be held under the framework of ...

Cambodia and Japan agreed to grant visa exemption to diplomatic and official passport holders, aiming at further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation, said a press statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. The statement said the two countries have agreed to provide visa ...