Commerce Minister Urges Reform of Business Environment as Defense against Recession

By Soy Sophea

Cham Prasidh, Cambodia’s Commerce Minister has urged all governmental institutions and provincial governors to take active measures to improve the business environment, warning

that the worst of the global economic downturn was yet to hit the country. When it does arrive, it will require the concerted effort of every stakeholder to ride out the storm, according to the Minister.

The Minister stressed at the launch of a World Bank Business Report said it would demand the complete commitment of government officials to improve public services, increase transparency, promote effectives and encourage value for money.

The Minister said when doing business with developing countries, investors will go straight to those that can claim a stable society free of riots and demonstration

s. “If we can improve our current business environment, it means that we secure our country and our local enterprises,” he said.

“I urge you all [provincial governors and rep

resentatives of government institutions] to strengthen your efforts to implement the report’s findings. Think of them as a compass to help you negotiate the uncertain economic times ahead,” he added.

To cope with the global economic crisis, Cambodia urgently needs to improve its business environment at both the national and local levels, according to studies jointly released on May 25, 2009 at the Cambodiana Hotel by the World Bank (WB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asia Foundation.

Making it easier, cheaper and less confusing to start a new businesses could help Cambodia compete in both the international and domestic markets. This is according to the World Bank/IFC Second Investment Climate Assessment and the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES), published by IFC and The Asia Foundation.

The Minister Prasidh praised the two studies for offering a wide range of information about factors which help and hinder the development of Cambodia’s private sector.

“As these two publications show, Cambodia has made great economic progress in just a few short years, but we still face important challenges,” he said. “Private companies, and especially small and medium enterprises, need better access to finance, information on regulations and procedures, export opportunities, reliable dispute resolution and efficient and transparent government services.”

Qimiao Fan, World Bank Country Manager stressed the importance of addressing chronic business environment problems. “Cambodia’s dynamic private sector has enormous potential to create jobs, improve income, and help reduce poverty,” Fan said. “But business environment problems are holding entrepreneurs back seem as serious as they do now.”

He added, “But now with the global economic crisis impacting Cambodia in significant ways, continued problems in the business environment may force firms to go out of business and investors may choose to postpone investment or move to more business friendly countries.”

Julia Brickell, IFC’s Resident Representative in Cambodia, noted that both the PBES and ICA studies show that reform efforts succeed.

“The ICA discusses how government, private sector and donor collaboration has cut processing times for imports almost in half from 6.5 days in 2003 to 3.7 days in 2007. Automating customs procedures is expected to further reduce import/export times and costs in Cambodia,” Brickell said.

She also stated that giving provincial authorities comprehensive information on entrepreneur perceptions of the business environment is a strong motivator for reform. “For example, Siem Reap Province, with technical assistance from IFC, reduced the time required to register a business and obtain necessary licenses,” she added.

Veronique Salze-Lozac’h, Regional Director of Economic Programs for the Asia Foundation also stressed the importance of regularly surveying business owners about their challenges.

“Widely-publicizing PBES results help government officials identify where they should concentrate their efforts to help businesses thrive. Over the next two months, when PBES results are presented in a number of provinces, entrepreneurs will be able to compare their province with others and engage government on reform,” she said.

The 2009 PBES, which surveyed business owners in the capitals of all 24 provinces and selected urban areas, shows that Kampong Cham Province has a better business environment than other provinces, as was the case in the 2006 PBES. Also both Sihanoukville and Siem Reap moved up from near the bottom in 2006, to the higher ranks on the 2009 PBES, by making significant advances in four out of the ten areas.

According to Gavin Tritt, Country Representative-Designate for the Asia Foundation, “Nationwide, indicators showing the most improvement described those related to the cost of starting a business. Another area of distinct improvement related to the time spent complying with government regulations and tax administration.

Indicators which deteriorated in the 2009 PBES, in comparison with 2006 related to property rights, informal charges, transparency and dispute resolution.” Julia Brickell said, “Overall, PBES 2009 results show that firms are more likely to expand their businesses if provincial administrators reduce informal charges, prevent crime more effectively, make it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses, and also make it easier for business owners to pay their taxes.”

Cambodian, Russia Further Bilateral Trade

By Soy Sophea

Cambodia and Russia reached a bilateral trade, up from US$21.2 million in 2008 and US$3 million in 2003, according to Russian diplomat officers, speaking during a meeting with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Hor Namhong, Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on April 22 in Phnom Penh.

Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said he considered progress in the bilateral relationship to be a positive step
Kuong said Russia’s major exports to Cambodia include paper, machinery, spare parts of vehicles and airplanes while Cambodia exports about US$1 million worth of clothing to Russia per year.

He continued to say that Cambodia would try its best to support Russia to get candidacy to attend ASEM (ASEAN EU Meeting), as Cambodia had played the role of co-coordinator for ASEM.

Namhong also pledged his support of Russia joining the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). And Hor Namhong also thanked Russia for being train hundred of Cambodian students during the 1980s when Cambodia was blocked economically and politically after the deliberation of Khmer Rouge regime.

Kuong quoted the two leaders of Cambodia and Russia as saying that they have enjoyed their fundamental relationship in past years and promised to support each other on the international stage in the future. Russian Ambassador Valery Tereshchenko also thanked Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce for supporting Russia to be a membership of World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007.

Tereshchenko, who will finish his term in Cambodia soon, said Kuong, adding that Namhong invited the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Cambodia at any convenient time.
Namhong urged the Russian government to continue its assistance to Cambodia in human resources, Kuong added. Russian investors have invested more than US$500 million in Cambodia’s island Koh Pous (Snake Island) in Sihanouk province, said Kuong.

International Peace Foundation Introduces the Bridges Dialogue Program

By Soy Sophea

The International Peace Foundation has launched the third Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event series “Bridges-Dialogues: Towards a Culture of Peace” starting in Cambodia in November 2009. The launching ceremony was held at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh on April 28, under the presidency of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Minister of Council of Ministers. The series events will be attended by 21 Nobel Prize Laureates, in cooperation with national and international partners.
His Serene Highness Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein — Chairman of the Advisory Board of the International Peace Foundation, said during opening remarks that Cambodia has opened a new chapter, adding that its people are hungry for education; that everyone wants to learn English and wants to study at universities, despite the painful past.

“I think that Cambodia provides a regional success story,” King Alfred said.
Uwe Morawetz, Founding Chairman of the International Peace Foundation, said that the forthcoming schedule contains up to 50 events, with participation by Nobel Laureates from all fields. Each Nobel Laureate who visits Cambodia will stay for at least 4 to 6 days.

He added that the Bridge would encourage Cambodian participation in Nobel Laureates for economics, physics, chemistry, history and medicine. He said the events would involve public lectures, seminars, workshops and dialogues to strengthen international understanding and to build relationships with Cambodian institutions. These understandings may lead to common research projects and other long-lasting forms of cooperation.

“This is why Bridge is not designed as a onetime event, but as a continuing process of synergies to make the events a sustainable success for Cambodia and the ASEAN region as a whole,” he said.

He added the aim of the Bridge is to facilitate and strengthen communication between societies in South East Asia with to promote understanding and trust.

To build further bridges towards peace and international understanding the foundation has been invited by the government of other ASEAN countries to expand “Bridge” programs in the region. In 2009 /2010, Cambodia will host the events- jointly chaired by His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. They will stimulate intellectual, scientific and cultural exchange in the ASEAN region and enhance its further development.

He thanked Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Advisor to the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen; President and Founder, International Foundation for Arts and Culture in Tokyo, Japan; and the Chancellor
of The University of Cambodia for his generous support for the program.

The non-political, non-religious International Peace Foundation with headquarters in Vienna and its Asian office in Bangkok has previously organized more than 700 events with 600 keynote speakers in Europe.

Information Minister Advises Magazines not to Publish Pornography

By Soy Sophea

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has advised publishers and editors of local magazines in Cambodia not to print pornography as it contradicts Cambodia’s culture.
Khieu Kanharith told a meeting of editorial groups at the Ministry of Information on April 30 that extreme pornography affects Cambodian traditions and culture and provokes sex crimes.

“I do not mean that slightly sexy images cannot be published,” he said. “But avoid pornography at all costs.”

However, Kanharith admired Cambodian magazine editors for their efforts to print colorful, well-illustrated reading material.

“Overall, you have done well for Cambodian society,” he said. “Your magazines can push the younger generation to be interested in journalism and photography as well.”

The Minister urged all Cambodian magazine publishers to establish an association. He said that the balance needs redressing as there are 18 associations covering newspapers. “I want to see the establishment of a Cambodia’s magazine association as it will help to improve their work and quality,” Kanharith said.

Puy Kea, a Board Member at the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), said the Minister’s initiative is very good as Cambodia has many press associations and associations for TV and radio.

“A variety of specific associations will help to promote freedom of the press in Cambodia.” Kea said.

Puy Kea, who is also a correspondent for Kyodo news, a Japanese news wire, urged the establishment of a dedicated magazine association. This will set it apart from the CCJ – an organization that represents every other form of media in the country, including TV, radio and newswires.

Cheth Saroeurn, Editor of Preah Chan Khmer Language magazine, agreed with the minister’s advice when referring to pornography. He said magazines should not publish nudity and he was rather cool on the idea of unnecessarily alluring images as well. However, he saw their value from a business point of view.

“If we don’t have sexy images, our magazine will not sell,” Saroeurn said. “Men will not read it.”
He said that he was also in broad agreement with the call for a magazine publisher’s association.

Cambodian NGO Officers Train in Climate Change Advocacy

By Soy Sophea

About 20 NGO officers gathered in a four-day workshop on climate change advocacy, which was conducted and sponsored by DanChurchAid (DCA) and Christian Aid (CA). The workshop took place April 21-24 at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Jeff Rutherford, a trainer in the workshop, said that the workshop is very important for Cambodian NGO officers to understand more about the issues surrounding climate change. He said that through the workshop, they learned advocacy skills that will equip them to influence policy makers and share information with local and international media on Cambodia’s climate change. Rutherford said the issue is very important for people living in developing nations like Cambodia.

“This workshop introduces trainees to advocacy strategies on climate change,” he said.
The first day of the seminar focused on the relevance of climate change, focusing on an overview of the science behind the issue, how humans are responding to it and what it means to the trainees’ work. The second day focused on institutions and the ways states, businesses, civil society and communities are addressing climate change, with an emphasis on the UN negotiation process. During the third day, participants talked about potential of climate change initiatives by discussing what people are doing different scales to mitigate or adapt to climate change and what else people can do. On the last day they discussed about taking action and revealed details for the development of concrete action plans for organizations to deal with climate change.

Overall, the workshop aimed to build the officer’s background knowledge and understanding of climate change in order to advocate and lobby the government to take more action, said Sam Pagna, DCA’s program assistant.

“I believe they will have more capacity to deal with the government’s policy,” she said.
Hep Sokhannaro, a trainee and researcher from the NGO Forum on Cambodia, said climate change is something beyond his understanding. It is related to justice and human rights as Cambodia produces less carbon than more powerful countries because Cambodia is in a developing countries group and not destroyed climate as China and United States of America.
He promised to share the knowledge he gained from the seminar with the Cambodian community to give them more detailed explanations on the issue.

“I want Cambodian people to get involved in climate changes because it is a global concern,” Sokhannaro said. “At the very least, we can ask them to reduce their chemical fertilizers in cultivation and not to have further forest clearance.”

Khim Sarin, trainee and program manager at Development and Partnership in Action, works with Cambodian farmers and said they lack education about agriculture technology. Although the farmers know about normal weather changes, such as the rainy and dry seasons, they are not informed about climate change. He said that NGO officers will take the opportunity to raise these concerns to ordinary people as it is related to their daily farming activities.

“I think that we need more time to educate people to get to know and be involved with global concerns,” Sarin said.

ASEAN Membership for Cambodia a National Success Story

By Soy Sophea

April 29, 2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of Cambodia’s membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Cambodia Weekly commemorates this important anniversary with an exclusive interview with His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Q: Could you describe the benefits Cambodia has received over the past decade in being an ASEAN member nation?

A: The past 10 years have been a period of remarkable and overwhelmingly positive change, not only for Cambodia but also for the ASEAN group as a whole.

It is certain that both sides have benefited from 10 years of Cambodian membership. Some of the benefits are clear for all to see, some of them not so immediately self evident. Take the matter of security for example. Cambodia now plays a regional role in ensuring the territorial integrity of the grouping and Her voice is heard as it contributes to the creation of consensus amongst the 27 participating member states.

Cambodia’s position at the ASEAN table placed the nation in Her rightful role and enabled dialogue to occur between archetypes of regional leadership and development partners. This results in progressive, rational and sustainable reform for all members. He added that membership of ASEAN amplified Cambodia’s diplomatic voice across the globe, as the framework enabled engagement with countries that are part of ASEAN and countries in the wider world that may have no consular representation in Cambodia but who are trade partners with ASEAN nations. Having established a high profile corner for ourselves in ASEAN, we are now able to interact with a world of friendly nations including the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and the EU for example.

In terms of the economy, we will be able to take advantage of the Free Trade Area that ASEAN has been negotiating with other ASEAN partners. The vast markets of China and India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Newzerland and of course with the European Union (EU) – all of these nations are open to Cambodian exports. Other areas of benefit include promotion of investment opportunities and tourism. I will continue to work closely with our friends and expand these areas of cooperation.

Turning to the subject of social and human resource development, Dr. Kao said that We have been working with a number of very useful themes. This gives us access to a fund supported by the Asian Economic Powerhouses and all ASEAN members have benefited from this fund in one way or another. I think of ASEAN as an open door that leads to a world of exciting possibilities.
That Cambodia is viewed as a vital member of this grouping is also illustrated by our work in creating the ASEAN Charter. Given my presence at the Charter’s inception, the entire grouping progresses according to directives created with a distinct Cambodian imprint.

Q: Can you explain ASEAN policy with regard to reducing the gaps between mature ASEAN members and newer arrivals such as Laos PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar – not to mention Cambodia?

A: We have been aware of these concerns for some time now and in a grouping of equals, we do not want to see such gaps. We have responded with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). This mechanism allows older ASEAN members and their dialogue partners to pool resources and then distribute them across a diverse range of programs and projects, all of them created to bridge the gap between the old and the new.

The integration ASEAN is a priority for us and we will continue in these efforts with other member nations and partners until we have created a group of proud, independent nations unified by economic parity and shared financial objectives.

Q: Can you say -how long will it take to minimize the gap?

A: That is hard to say, but we are working towards a date of 2015, by which time we hope to have reduced the gaps to the point of insignificance. We have already created a blueprint to help s achieve this goal. I will not go into details now, as they would fill many volumes. However, I remain convinced that the gaps will have ceased to exist, half way through the next decade.

Q: Cambodia is to host all ASEAN meetings and conferences throughout 2012, following Vietnam in 2010 and Brunei in 2011. Can you confirm that Cambodia will host as many meetings as Vietnam and Brunei? Cambodia Hosted the ASEAN Summit in November 2002. How has the situation changed between then and now?

A: First, ASEAN is governed by a Charter and has been since before December 15, 2008. Once the Charter has had time to settle in it will usher the member states into a rule-based environment with a clearly defined legal personality. Most importantly, under the ASEAN Charter, Cambodia has to operate under a Single ASEAN Chairmanship. This means that by 2012, assuming everything goes according to schedule, Myanmar will formalize her membership and thus her right to assume the Chair for a one-year period. Cambodia will assume the ASEAN Chair, hosting all key ASEAN meetings including ASEAN Summits, meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and ASEAN Council Minister’s Meetings. Now, the calendar starts in July, through to the following July. Cambodia will enjoy the benefit of conducting these meetings under the ASEAN Charter – a great change for the better in my opinion. Secondly, Cambodia has gained a wealth of experience since 2002 and this will be amply demonstrated in our conduct throughout 2012.

We feel full confidence in our ability to host these meetings and Cambodia makes a perfect venue for them. Given the outstanding leadership skills displayed by our Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister, Hor Namhong, in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia will be perfectly positioned to assume the revolving chairmanship.

Q: Do you expect all Heads of State and Government to attend?

A: When we assume the Chair, we do expect full attendance at the Summit Meetings, as well as the ASEAN Plus 3 Submits, with additional delegates from Japan, China, South Korea and India. It will be a lot of work, but it will be good experience both for us and for the other members. I am looking forward to the challenge; and it will present countless opportunities for us to enhance relations with all our international friends within the scope of the Charter. I repeat, I am looking forward to a great year of diplomatic successes for Cambodia.

Q: Do you expect the US president to attend the Submit in 2012?

A: Well, that is a good question. Actually, there is no precedent for inviting U.S. representatives. In the past, we have discussed the possibility of convening a meeting between ASEAN and the U.S. but there has been no movement on this front yet. I do know that the U.S. Secretary of state has attended the ASEAN Regional Forum in the past and I would not be surprised to see the U.S. Secretary of State in Cambodia in 2012 – all things are possible. Right now, the U.S. is interested in extending trade links in South East Asia and this is one of the most important steps forward in terms of moving a particular country towards full cooperation with the ASEAN Summit.

Q: This is my final question Your Excellency and I thank you for your Patience. As you are acutely aware, Cambodia and Thailand have encountered disputes over border demarcations. What is ASEAN’s position in relation to this?

A: Well, It is a bilateral issue and both countries have agreed to resolve the matter sing a bilateral framework. Last year, when I was in Singapore, the chair country of ASEAN, we explored the possibility of engaging ASEAN as a moderator in this issue. I think the priority now must be to let the two parties work together within the framework of the ASEAN Charter and its dedicated dispute settlement mechanism. Right now, legal experts from both parties are working towards a resolution based firmly on the Rule of Law.

Thai Foreign Minister Apologizes to Prime Minister Hun Sen

By Soy Sophea

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has apologized to the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, following an incident in which the Thai minister referred to the Cambodian Premier in unflattering terms during a Thai parliamentary debate session.

“I have the honor to refer to recent news in which you were described as being concerned with the terms that I used to describe you during the parliamentary debate session in Thailand,” Kasit said in a letter dated on April 1. A copy of this letter was in the possession of The Cambodia Weekly a day later.

Kasit said in the Thai language the word “Nak Leng” which he used during the debate means a person who is lion-hearted, a courageous and magnanimous gentleman, and it is in this sense of the word that the Minister was referring to Samdech Hun Sen.

“Please do rest assured that nothing will be allowed to come in the way of making of our friendship warm, cordial, and mutually beneficial,” he said. “Do kindly accept my deep apology for such an unfortunate incident and let it not be a cause for intentional misunderstanding.

The apology was made after the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had called for the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s apology.

"He has insulted me and called me a gangster," Hun Sen said at the opening ceremony of the Industrial Zone in Sihanouk province on March 31. "What if I insult your king? What would you say if I insulted your prime minister and your ancestors? I'm not angry with you, but please use more dignified words," he added.

Prime Minister Hun Sen made this statement in the context of the border conflict and he warned Thai troops not to invade Cambodia's territory any more. However, Cambodian officials said recently some 100 Thai troops briefly entered areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear where border skirmish erupted in October 15 last year.

"I tell you first, if you enter [Cambodian territory] again, we will fight. The troops at the border have already received the order," Hun Sen said. "I am the leader of Cambodia who was elected by the will of the people, not by seizing power."

As Hun Sen called for the apology, he warned that he will not shake hands with the Thai Foreign Minister at the upcoming ASEAN Submit in Thailand this April without the apology first. Moreover, he would not shake hands when Kasit would accompany the Thai Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva during a one-day official visit to Cambodia on April 18.

Koy Kuong, spokesperson at Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told The Cambodia Weekly on April 2 that the Thai’s apology to the Cambodian Prime Minister was an act of high responsibility, as expected from a political leader of a neighboring country.

Kuong added that the Cambodian Prime Minister had sent a letter to the Thai Foreign Minister assuring him that he accepted the apology in a display of mutual understanding. He believed bilateral cooperation had been strengthened and improved.

He also said that during the upcoming official visit of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to Cambodia, both leaders would be committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in the case of the border dispute.

Thai Delegation to Visit Cambodia and Discuss Border

By Soy Sophea

Thai soldiers currently stationed in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear territory will withdraw, following the visit of Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to Cambodia. This is an illustration of greater political stability in Thailand, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

An optimistic Koy Kuong said that the Thai army will leave the area after the visit of the Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. He and his delegation will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen during the official visit.

The Thai delegation will also pay a courtesy call on His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during a two-day visit scheduled from January 25.

“I believe that there will be a positive step forward in tackling the disputed border and the Thai army will retreat as the current Thai government follows the French-Siem convention and treaty, and MoU of 2000,” Koy Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on January 23. “Everything seems to be clear as the new Thai government follows international law,” he added.

The spokesman said that officials including Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will talk with Kasit over the remaining documents generated during discussions with the previous Thai government and reach am agreement.

"We expect Kasit to be flexible and positive over the border issue," Koy Kuong said, adding that the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister had promised a peaceful solution in a call made to his Cambodian counterpart last month.

Phay Siphan, Spokesman to the Council of Ministers, has told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed the new Thai Foreign Affairs Minister will follow agreements hammered out between former Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornwiwat and the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister during border negotiations in November 2008 in Siem Reap province, Cambodia.

“I am optimistic that Kasit will follow previous agreements when he visits Cambodia,” Siphan said. “The current Thai government has demonstrated a polite and diplomatic attitude when discussing the border dispute,” he added. “Redeployment of Thai troops will take place upon or after the Thai Foreign Minister’s visit.”

Siphan said that the current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has demonstrated his willingness to find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute and behave like a good neighbor and member of the ASEAN family. “I note that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen have respect for each other and this is the best foundation for building peace.”The Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya was one of the most controversial appointments when the new Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva named his cabinet on December 20. He played a pivotal role in the protests that closed Bangkok's airports in November and December.

The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with land mines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.The most recent tensions began in July when the Khmer temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over the ownership of the surrounding land.

Senate Marks Its 10th Year Anniversary

By Soy Sophea

Marking the 10-year anniversary of the Cambodian Senate, Senate President Chea Sim gave a positive evaluation, noting its contribution to peace and political stability throughout the nation.

The remarks were made at a one-day seminar on “10-year Achievement, Challenges and Vision of the Senate” on March 20.

He said since the Senate’s establishment on March 25, 1999, it has walked an honorable path toward many achievements, including contributions to national development as
well as encouraging the integration of Cambodia into a regional and global framework during globalization era.

The Senate President said the Senate attained prestige in national and international arenas and contributed to strengthening peace, political stability and national reconciliation, which remain crucial to Cambodia’s future.

“The Senate has responded to all compulsory and long-term needs of the Royal Government as it has been working tremendously to encourage reforms in all spheres of state, social, and economic development. It hopes to accelerate the development with transparency, justice, fairness and responsible,” he said. “The quality and effectiveness of the state’s laws and the representation of all national interests, as well as the interests of commune councils across the country, is a main priority that the Senate has concentrated on and prepared for thoroughly through its work activities, particularly the representation function, legislation function and oversight function.”

He said that it also played a role in providing recommendations and guidelines in strengthening state leadership toward rule of law and good governance and made an invaluable contribution to the success of the commune councils. As a bridge between the people and the state, as well as a representative of the commune council, the senate has to push for the implementation of decentralized and deconcentrated policy and rural development with the aim of alleviating poverty.

“We have been working to the concurrent progress of the democratization process within both the local and national levels in order to lead our society towards harmonization,”he said.

Oum Sarith, Secretary General of the Senate, said that from 1999 to 2005 was a period that the first legislature of the Senate kicked off its journey. Members of the Senate in the first legislature were appointed by the King at the request of the Senate President and the President of the National Assembly. He added that the mandate was postponed two times in the first legislature.

Since 2006, the second legislature of the Senate has been in office, Sarith added. It emerged through a non-universal election on January 22, 2006, with all incumbent members of the National Assembly and members of the commune councils from eight regions across the country taking part.

“This second step is considered as an evolution step of the Senate as it has a clear identity, especially the representation of the entire commune councils and the Khmer people as a whole,” he said.

One Village One Product Markets Need more time to open nationwide

By Soy Sophea

Cambodian officers have said that the concept of One Village One Product (OVOP) is under consideration and moves underway to educate villagers on branding their productions to serve as symbols for their villages.

Son Koun Thor, Secretary General of the Cambodian OVOP National Committee, told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone that the vision is to open OVOP nationwide, and the time is right to turn vision into reality.

However, the secretary general refused to say how long it would take. He did say that he wanted Cambodian people to understand the concept of the OVOP. He added that potential problems to confront in future include the lack of understanding of OVOP among Cambodians and the remoteness of many of the target villages.

Since the creation of the movement in 1979, this movement is now promoted globally in China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and the United States, he added. OVOP is seen as a viable option for Cambodia with products such as baskets, pottery, silk and food being manufactured in regional concentrations.

Sun Kuon Thor, said that the movement accords with general economic guidelines, so authorities are able to promote the movement as part of wider economic development drives, especially with regard to agricultural plantations, livestock feed and farm produce processing.

Under this framework, he said, the government would continue to push the OVOP movement to foster innovative ideas and strengthen the self-confidence of rural people based on four important principles.The principles are to "find the production method that is suitable to the village's conditions and meet the market demand; enable and encourage people to produce by improving market access, providing credit, transferring technology and supplying seeds; build management capacity and human resources; and enable the people to establish agricultural communities to ensure price stability of the product," Koun Thor added.

The Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Cambodia Weekly that he believed that if the OVOP markets are to be opened throughout the country, they can also attract foreign tourists who look forward to experiencing a variety of vacation activities.

“Now, we have launched and promoted many tourism programs to attract more tourists to visit Cambodia, for She is truly a wonderful country,” said Thong Khon. He added that the Cambodian tourism industry needs access to more and improved infrastructure facilities and trained and qualified hospitality workers.

Speaking by telephone to the Cambodia Weekly recently, Kep Chutema, Phnom Penh Municipality Governor said the main challenges facing the Municipality would be overcome during the fourth mandate of the Royal Cambodian Government. These activities will include One Village One Product market, rehabilitation work, environmental protection and traffic calming innovations.

“In the future, we plan to beautify many more gardens, make roads safer for all users, make night markets brighter and introduce new entertainment outlets to the city,” he said.

Chuktema added that recently, to attract tourists and promote progress in Phnom Penh, the Municipality had been paying attention to infrastructure development in Phnom Penh with support for OVOP programs as well as the introduction of improved roads, traffic lights and signs, gardens, supermarkets and tourist destinations.

Chhay Khoeun, Director of the Tourism Department in Kep city, said his office is also paying attention to the matter of improved hospitality, in line with government directives. Part of this includes establishing modern and exciting tourist destinations on the 12 islands off the province’s coast. Local people are expected to make an essential contribution to these plans.

He said that he wanted to see the establishment of an OVOP market in his city and he believed that more local and international tourists would thus be encouraged to visit the city.

To increase the number of visitors, which in 2007 stood at 150,000, his office is expected to bring in 200,000 tourists by 2009 and more than that if the OVOP project comes to fruition.

“We want our people to join us and gain all the benefits that an enlivened tourist industry can bring,” Khoeun said. “Without them we cannot achieve our goals.”