With a heartfelt and emotional message, Sok Siphana, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, launched his memoir, Destiny and Hope: Flashbacks from the Killing Fields of Cambodia. The publication of his tome – in both Khmer and English – marked a personal and historical milestone. The event, held on April 29, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Phnom Penh, commemorated 50 years since the Khmer Rouge regime’s fall, and reflected on both the horrors of the past and the enduring spirit of survival. Siphana, whose life story spans from his harrowing experiences in the Khmer Rouge killing fields to…
Author: Raksmey Hong
British ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams has highlighted the crucial role an effective taxation system will play in supporting Cambodia’s economic growth, particularly as the country looks ahead to its Vision 2050. He shared his views as he delivered his opening remarks to the April 29 UK-Cambodia Joint Trade & Investment Forum. Hosted by BritCham Cambodia, in collaboration with the British embassy and the UK Department for Business and Trade, the seminar was held at the Phnom Penh offices of KPMG Cambodia. The event provided a platform for discussions on how taxation can balance government investment needs with the growing…
Cambodia’s once-booming appeal as a destination for foreign investment appears to be facing growing turbulence as US trade pressure intensifies and tax compliance becomes a make-or-break issue for businesses, industry leaders warned this week. Casey Barnett, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AmCham), said that while Cambodia still offers “fantastic opportunities for investment” — including a “growing market” and “limited competition” — the environment is shifting fast. He shared his insights with the attendees of the “UK-Cambodia Joint Trade & Investment Forum Deep Dive Series”, organised by BritCham Cambodia and the British Embassy in Cambodia Department for…
Cambodia is making substantial progress toward its 2035 goal of a fully digital economy. It has completed one-third of its journey, as highlighted in a recent workshop on the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework. Held on April 25 at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the event marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive digital economy, with the finalised M&E framework poised to track and accelerate progress toward a digitally transformed society. Alissar Chaker, resident representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia, expressed…
In a move aimed at protecting Cambodia’s environmental future, Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has committed to eliminating all companies that cause widespread environmental destruction. Addressing pressing issues such as water pollution and industrial waste, the minister personally vowed to crack down on companies that violate environmental regulations, ensuring cleaner water sources and a healthier ecosystem for the nation. Sophalleth reiterated the government’s determination to protect Cambodia’s rivers, creeks and seas from industrial waste, which is causing severe damage to the country’s water sources. He highlighted a concerning rise in companies caught discharging harmful waste into clean water bodies, with…
Cambodia witnessed a rare and surprising weather phenomenon over the weekend, as hailstones hit several parts of the Kingdom during heavy storms. Social media platforms lit up on April 26, with posts from amazed Khmer sharing images and videos of the small ice pellets that blanketed their rooftops and fell into their hands. The event, particularly extraordinary given Cambodia’s tropical climate, generated widespread buzz, with many people amazed by the sight. One of the most memorable moments came from Siem Reap, where a Facebook user captured a video of the hailstorm near the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex. The sight…
Phnom Penh is bracing itself for the arrival of the fashion elite as the bi-annual Phnom Penh Designers Week prepares to stage a two-day sartorial extravaganza at the opulent Rosewood Phnom Penh. The upcoming showcase of talent and creativity was heralded during a chic press conference held at the Rosewood on April 22. Seven influential fashion brands are slated to unveil their latest collections on May 30 and 31, within the elegant confines of Salon One at the Rosewood Phnom Penh. Organisers are promising an event that will “pull out all the stops” to fete the fashionable attendees. This edition…
With global concerns around climate change intensifying, Cambodia’s approach reflects a commitment to addressing the climate crisis in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable for all, especially women. The Cambodian government, in collaboration with international partners, highlighted the crucial intersection of gender equality and climate action as the nation prepares its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, in an April 25 dialogue held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phnom Penh. The dialogue, aimed at integrating gender considerations into Cambodia’s climate action plans, included contributions from key government officials, as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is…
In the past five years, more than 6,000 farming households in Cambodia, nearly half of them led by women, have seen their incomes soar thanks to iDE Cambodia’s efforts. By adopting new farming technology and gaining better access to services, these farmers have boosted their profits from an average of just $830 a year to over $3,700. iDE celebrated this achievement at a closeout event for its Climate Smart Commercial Horticulture Cambodia (CSmart) project, which wrapped up in Siem Reap province on April 24. Launched in 2019 with a $5.4 million fund from the New Zealand government, the project helped…
The US proposal to impose a 49% “reciprocal” tariff on Cambodian exports has sparked concerns among industry insiders, as the economy faces the uncertainties they brings to the Kingdom’s key export industries. Speaking at the “Market Updates: Current Tax Hot Topics” forum, hosted by the International Business Chamber of Cambodia (IBC) at the KPMG Cambodia office on April 23, industry experts unpacked the implications of Washington’s latest move. The event included a special focus on the proposed US tariff measures and how they could impact Cambodia’s trade-dependent economy. The implementation of the proposed tariff rate, announced earlier this month by…