News
China pledges funding for Cambodian railway upgrade
China has pledged to provide Yuan 300m ($US 44m) to Cambodia to support the project to upgrade the Phnom Penh – Poipet railway to a 160km/h standard-gauge electrified line. ...
Kevin Smith
https://www.railjournal.com/regions/asia/china-pledges-funding-for-cambodian-railway-upgrade/
Cambodia working towards independent foreign policy
Taking the baton for the third time as the ASEAN chair in 2022, Cambodia’s diplomatic tenacity was tested by the war in Ukraine, Myanmar’s political upheaval, cross-Strait tensions, COVID-19 and US–China competition. Despite this precarity, Cambodia steered ASEAN through geopolitically choppy waters. The outlook for 2023 ...
Chansambath Bong
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/02/14/cambodia-working-towards-independent-foreign-policy/
Cambodian leader orders shutdown of independent media outlet
There were tears at Cambodia’s Voice of Democracy on Monday as journalist Khan Leakhena reacted to the sudden order to close the news website. ...
Sun Narin
https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodian-leader-orders-shutdown-of-independent-media-outlet/6960214.html
Grave concerns raised over VOD closure
International embassies and other organisations in Cambodia have raised grave concerns about the government’s snap decision to shutter independent media Voice of Democracy (VOD) after revoking its license. ...
Marissa Carruthers, Chhorn Raksmey
https://kiripost.com/stories/cambodia-grave-concerns-raised-over-vod-closure
Shutdown of VOD undermines press freedom, embassies and civil society groups warn
After the government shuttered independent media Voice of Democracy (VOD) on Monday, dozens of civil society groups decried the decision and numerous embassies warned the loss of the publication seriously damaged Cambodia’s dwindling press freedom in the run-up to the July national election. ...
Khuon Narim and Jack Brook
https://cambojanews.com/shutdown-of-vod-undermines-press-freedom-embassies-and-civil-society-groups-warn/
Preah Sihanouk administration welcomes development plans
The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration welcomed a joint statement by China and Cambodia that said they will examine the feasibility of developing an “Industrial and Technological Corridor” to achieve the development vision of the province as a “Model Multi-Purpose Special Economic Zone” (SEZ). ...
Van Socheata
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/preah-sihanouk-administration-welcomes-development-plans
Cambodian Red Cross donates $100,000 to quake-hit Turkiye
The Cambodian Red Cross has donated $100,000 to Turkiye, after an earthquake on February 6, in order to promote cooperation, solidarity and a culture of mutual assistance. ...
Hang Punreay
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501238098/cambodian-red-cross-donates-100000-to-quake-hit-turkiye/
Cambodia, Laos to ink action plan for strategic partnership
Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone are set to sign a 2023-2027 action plan for a comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership between the two countries during the former’s February 13-14 visit. ...
Ry Sochan
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national-politics/cambodia-laos-ink-action-plan-strategic-partnership
Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen collaboration in border protection, management
Leaders of the Border Guard High Command under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Cambodian Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Immigration held talks in Ho Chi Minh City on February 12, discussing measures to enhance coordination in border protection and management. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501238375/vietnam-cambodia-strengthen-collaboration-in-border-protection-management/
Protected area communities report forest crimes via app
On average, communities trained by the REDD+ project submit 50 formal reports about forest crimes per month to authorities based upon data captured through the SMART 7 application, according to the USAID Greening Prey Lang (GPL) Project. ...
Khouth Sophak Chakrya
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/protected-area-communities-report-forest-crimes-app
Cambodia, Laos step up cooperation
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on February 13 started an official visit to neighbouring Laos. Sry Thamarong, minister attached to the prime minister, said that PM Hun Sen held bilateral talks with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral ties ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501238347/cambodia-laos-step-up-cooperation/
UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor for the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance programme describes how a remote Cambodian village became a beacon for sustainable energy solutions in the Mekong
On a visit to Koh Kantheay in Cambodia’s north, I hear residents talk about their expectations from the new solar micro-grid being installed in the village. ...
Kampot-Kep Salt’s GI listing to be marked with Apr event
The Ministry of Commerce has tentatively set April 26 for the “launch” of “Kampot-Kep Salt” as a geographical indication (GI) product, in a formal recognition of its inclusion in the Cambodian registry and the accompanying protections. ...
Hin Pisei
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/kampot-kep-salts-gi-listing-be-marked-apr-event
Cambodia-China action plan expected to boost FTA benefits
The newly-signed Action Plan on Trade and Economic Cooperation 2023-2024 is expected to promote the utilisation of the preferential arrangements that are granted by free trade agreements (FTA) and similar regional treaties, to boost trade and investment between Cambodia and China. ...
May Kunmakara
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-china-action-plan-expected-boost-fta-benefits
Concern over Cambodia’s climbing debt
The program manager of an NGO has raised concerns about the government’s revenue spending management, claiming national debt remains huge and has not been repaid as new debt continues to climb. ...
Seng Mengheng
https://kiripost.com/stories/concern-over-cambodias-climbing-debt
Social security week to tackle efficiency and transparency
Cambodia is gearing up to host the second annual Social Protection Week, with the aim of strengthening social security efficiency and transparency. ...
Marissa Carruthers
https://kiripost.com/stories/cambodia-social-security-week-to-tackle-efficiency-and-transparency
Cambodia’s exports to EU surge 25 percent to $4 billion in 2022
Cambodia’s exports to the European Union (EU) last year were worth $4 billion, up 25% compared to the 2021’s figure, according to the country’s ministry of commerce. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501236859/cambodias-exports-to-eu-surge-25-percent-to-4-billion-in-2022/
Cambodia’s export to US tops $12B last year
Cambodia’s export to the United States remained strong last year, despite the US generalised special preference (GSP) scheme remaining to less developed countries (LDCs) including Cambodia. ...
Chea Vanyuth
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501237385/cambodias-export-to-us-tops-12b-last-year/
Chinese major companies to boost investment in Cambodia
Three Chinese major companies presented multiple investment projects worth millions of dollars to Prime Minister Hun Sen during a meeting in Beijing, a release said today. The companies also plan to invest on water transportation, hospital, sewage treatment, high-speed rail, etc. ...
Hong Sovannary
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501236857/chinese-major-companies-to-boost-investment-in-cambodia/
NEC reiterates its independence
The National Election Committee (NEC) has reiterated its independent stand towards organising elections in the Kingdom while blaming some politicians for acting in violation of the law ahead of July’s National Election. ...
Ben Sokhean
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501237384/nec-reiterates-its-independence/
UK Ambassador meets NEC to discuss National Election
The UK Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams hopes that Cambodia’s National Election would be held in a peaceful, free, and fair environment, with space for differing political views to be expressed. ...
So Cheata
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501237094/uk-ambassador-meets-nec-to-discuss-national-election/
$13.2 million from China for demining
In contributing to attain the goal of Cambodia mine-free by 2025, China has donated $13.2 million for demining in vulnerable areas to bring peace and happiness to Cambodian people. The donation came during the official visit of Prime Minister Hun Sen to China. ...
Chhun Sunly
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/1237391/13-2-million-from-china-for-demining/
Experts conduct water quality check of Tonle Sap
The Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute with the staff of the Wonders of the Mekong, is conducting a water quality study in the Tonle Sap. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501237003/experts-conductwater-quality-checkof-tonle-sap/
Candlelight party congress unveils platform ahead of national elections
An estimated 8,000 supporters of opposition Candlelight Party convened Saturday for an Extraordinary General Assembly to lay out the party’s policy platform and messaging for the July 23 national elections. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/candlelight-party-congress-unveils-platform-ahead-of-national-elections/