Economy and commerce
Trade
Phnom Penh Port Shifts Focus to Cruise Boats
With a new Chinese-built container port on the Mekong River in Kandal province now operational, the existing port in Phnom Penh is undergoing renovations to shift its focus to the growing number of cruise ships docking in the capital, an official said yesterday. Eang Veng ...
Singapore investment up
Total fixed assets of Singaporean investment in Cambodia last year reached $82.7 million, a 500 per cent increase from $13.8 million in 2011, data from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) show. Singaporean entrepreneurs who have already entered the Cambodian market said they expect ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013022561574/Business/singapore-investment-up.html
Cambodian rice popular across Asia
Cambodian milled rice is becoming more popular throughout Asia, particularly in Malaysia, which is the number one importer of milled rice from the Kingdom. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Malaysia imported over 7,000 tonnes of a total 25,700 tonnes exported ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013022561575/Business/cambodian-rice-popular-across-asia.html
Rice shipments up 165 per cent
Exports of Cambodian milled rice rose sharply during the first four weeks of this year, and traders are optimistic about the demand in Asian markets, particularly China. Figures from the one-stop service office at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) show the Kingdom exported ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013022261557/Business/rice-shipments-up165-per-cent.html
Bangkok-Cambodia buses launched
The first buses directly connecting Thailand and Cambodia left Bangkok on Thursday, headed for Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with the launch of a regular service to bolster tourism and economic ties between the two countries. The first airconditioned bus from Bangkok to Phnom Penh left Mor ...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/337029/bus-service-to-cambodia-launched
Cambodia embraces intensive livestock production
Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country with 15 million inhabitants, has begun to embrace intensive livestock production despite numerous obstacles. The industry heavily relies on the import of genetics, soybean meal, fish meal, additives, medicines and vaccines. A major constraint preventing producers from taking up intensive ...
Cambodia's economy grows by 7.3% in 2012: PM
Cambodia achieved a GDP growth rate of 7.3 percent last year, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday, forecasting that the growth would be higher than 7 percent this year. Addressing a conference on 2013 Cambodia Outlook, he said the growth last year came from strong growth ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/business/2013-02/20/c_132180432.htm
Study set to streamline customs procedures in Cambodia
Customs procedures are being examined in a time-release study to identify issues that can affect Cambodia’s trade competitiveness. According to experts, the study is an important tool to improve the Kingdom’s investment climate. The study will be conducted and organised by the GDCE with support ...
Cambodia-US Bilateral Trade 2012 Increases Slightly
The bilateral trade between Cambodia and the United States in 2012 rose slightly, while Cambodia’s export decreased, according to a report of the United States Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. U.S. Department of Commerce. The Cambodia-US bilateral trade saw its increase 0. 61%, while ...
Local brokers still manipulate prices: farmers
Farmers have expressed concern over local brokers’ manipulation of the market during harvest season, reducing buying prices for farmers who have no access to actual market rates. While some farmers have already completed their harvests, others have left their fields barren, fearing brokers will reduce ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/Business/local-brokers-still-manipulate-prices-farmers.html
Less palm sugar due to production delay
Kampong Speu palm sugar production is projected to decrease slightly this year due to a late start, though prices are expected to rise thanks to the sugar’s growing popularity following its geographical indication certification. Despite the drop in production, Hong Hoeung, director of Kampong Speu Palm ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/Business/less-palm-sugar-due-to-production-delay.html
Oil prices hit all-time high in Cambodia
Oil prices in Cambodia hit the highest of all time on Friday, with a liter of premium gasoline going for 1.45 U.S. dollars at all petrol stations in the capital. The price is the highest ever if compared with the peak price of 1.41 U.S. dollars ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/business/2013-02/15/c_132169890.htm
Few S'pore-owned businesses in Cambodia: business owners
PHNOM PENH: There are about a hundred Singapore-owned businesses in Cambodia, mainly located in the capital, Phnom Penh. Many, who set up shop there, feel the numbers have stayed low because there is a perception that the country is not safe. In 2011, Singapore invested close ...
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/economicnews/view/1254251/1/.html
Cigarette smuggling from Cambodia to Vietnam abounds
A pair of cigarette brands distributed by two of the Kingdom’s most prominent businessmen are being smuggled from Cambodia to Vietnam at an estimated rate of more than 300 million packs a year, contributing to tobacco manufacturer losses of nearly $200 million annually, according to ...
Multiple Skills Needed To Compete in a Future Asean, Economist Says
Young Cambodians must develop diverse workplace skills if they are to compete in an integrated Asean, a leading economist and adviser to the government says. “We have to make sure we are able to do multiple things if others are able to do just one,” the ...
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/multiple-skills-needed-for-asean-competition/1603984.html
Optimism as Cashew Season Gets Under Way
As the cashew-harvesting season in Cambodia’s northeastern provinces begins, farmers are expecting a good crop due to favorable weather conditions last year, an official said yesterday. ...
MTZ to set up Belarus-Mekong joint venture in Cambodia
Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) will make a monetary contribution to the authorized capital of a private company Belarus-Mekong that is being set up in Cambodia. Upon the suggestion of the Industry Ministry of Belarus, the Belarusian company will transfer 32 million Cambodian riels (about ...
Food, beverage imports rise
Cambodia spent about $200 million on food and beverage imports to supply the domestic market last year – an increase of more than 10 per cent from the previous year, official data from the Ministry of Commerce show. Government officials and representatives of the private sector ...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013021361334/Business/food-beverage-imports-rise.html
Minimum wage may rise for Cambodian garment workers
The Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour has scheduled a meeting on February 26 with representatives of various unions to discuss the new minimum wage for garment workers in the country. However, the Ministry expects the various workers’ unions to agree on what the new wage should ...
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=120969
Lack of Redress For Farmers Contributes to H5N1 Spread
While the ministries of health and agriculture are taking measures to stem the spread of avian influenza – which claimed its fifth victim in just three weeks on Thursday – a lack of compensation for poultry owners affected by culling is limiting their effectiveness, officials ...
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/lack-of-redress-for-farmers-contributes-to-h5n1-spread-9854/
Greener Pastures
Market competition resulting from costly domestic rice remains a key factor driving Thai exporters to seek openings in neighbouring countries where the rice trade is more prosperous. Exporters say their performance was weak last year, mirroring the country’s overall decline in rice exports, which plunged ...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/335303/greener-pastures
Belarus eyes enhanced trade, investment ties with Cambodia
Belarus announced its firm stance to promote bilateral cooperation with Cambodia in trade, investment and tourism for mutual benefits, Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the Belarus Parliament, said Monday. He expressed Belarus’s desire to operate a direct flight to Cambodia. He suggested that the two countries ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-02/11/c_132164406.htm
News Analysis: Cambodia Viewed As "Best" Investment Venue For Thais
Cambodia is considered “the most promising country” in the ASEAN community where Thai business entrepreneurs could set up trade and investment projects, according to a noted Thai academic and economist. Roongrote Benjamasuthin, director of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce’s ASEAN Business & Economic Center, ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2013-02/09/c_132162078.htm
Philippines seeks closer ties with Cambodia
Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binay says Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen supports the signing of agreements between Manila and Phnom Penh in rice trading and in fighting transnational crime. Cambodian officials have also expressed interest in launching direct flights between Manila and Phnom Penh. ...