The EU-Switch Garment project has come to an end after four years of working to promote sustainable energy practices in the Cambodian garment sector. Pledges for the support of a green transformation in the industry continue. Launched in 2020, the project promoted competitiveness in the garment industry and decreased the industry’s environmental impact through the adoption of sustainable energy practices and facilitation of investment in clean energy technology. According to a joint press release, the project mobilised $2.6 million of investment from the factories for the implementation of sustainable energy tech. It conducted 50 energy audits, helped 22 member factories…
Author: Niem Chheng
The Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU) has refuted claims made by Transparency International Australia (TIA) which questioned the sources of money used by Cambodians to purchase residential properties in Australia. The NGO suggested that some of the purchases may have been a form of money laundering. “The unfounded claims in the report are prejudiced against Cambodia and undermine its continuous efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” said CAFIU, in response to an inquiry by The Post. Last week, a joint report by advisory firm KordaMentha and Transparency International Australia, titled “Stopping Dirty Money in Australia and…
A Banteay Meanchey province man was instantly killed outside his home on May 12 when a DK75 rocket propelled grenade round exploded. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) explained in a same-day social media post that the victim was identified as Prang Pis, a 47-year-old villager living in Phnom Srok district’s Trang village, in Phnom Dey commune. The authority said Pis had attempted to break the munition open with an axe, causing it to explode. CMAA reiterated calls for the public, especially those living in former battlefields, to not attempt to interfere with landmines, unexploded ordnance or…
Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that his government will support the private sector and that regulatory compliance is not a cat-and-mouse game, where the authorities wait for private sector entities to make a mistake. While addressing the May 9 official launch of the Cambodia Confederation of Investors Association (CCIA), Manet said the government will support all private companies doing business in Cambodia, and called for more investment from local and overseas firms. However, he wanted to see close cooperation between the two sectors with respect to compliance. “Strengthening compliance means following principles, plans, procedures, laws, regulations and contracts. What are…
An apparent war of words has broken out over the use of the word “condemn”, a term which has led to the Ministry of Justice issuing a warning to the Nation Power party. Following the arrest of the party’s leader Sun Chanthy on incitement charges, his party issued a statement saying it “absolutely condemned” the arrest. Chanthy was taken into custody over comments he made about the distribution of ID Poor cards, while addressing a conference in Japan. The use of “condemn” drew an instant reaction from the justice ministry, who warned the party that their use of the word…
The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) sent two teachers and an official from the Ministry of Planning to Phnom Penh municipal court on May 9 for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent state employment scheme. A May 9 Ministry of Justice social media post said the three suspects had worked together to collect money from members of the public who were seeking employment as state teachers, or jobs at other state institutions. It identified the three as Nong Run, 38, a teacher at Sok An Prey Sandek High School in Takeo province’s Treang district, and Sun Pich Somaly, 43, a teacher at…
As Australia initiates reforms to its anti-money laundering mechanisms to counter laundering and the financing of terrorism, the Pacific nation’s media and an anti-corruption NGO have raised suspicions about real estate investments in Australia, in an attempt to shine a spotlight on Cambodian financial sources. A joint report between advisory firm KordaMentha and Transparency International Australia released on May 6 suggests that a total of 118 properties worth at least AUD$110 million ($72 million) were purchased in Australia by “Cambodian foreign persons” from 2019 to 2023. The report, titled “Stopping dirty money in Australia and Cambodia”, said that more than…
Cambodia and China are set to hold the “Golden Dragon 2024” joint military exercises from next week. Analysts have noted the positive benefits of the Kingdom engaging in such drills with foreign nations, calling for more defence cooperation, albeit as long as Cambodia’s sovereignty and independence are protected. The theme for this year’s training is “Joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief”. “This is the sixth China-Cambodia “Golden Dragon” joint military exercise. It is conducive to further consolidating the iron-clad friendship between the two countries, enhancing strategic coordination between the two militaries and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability,” said the…
Three ministries have pledged to work together to resolve issues which are specific to the agriculture, rural development and water resources sectors. The new initiative was lauded by an agriculture NGO official, who believed that it would relieve the hardships of the Kingdom’s farmers. The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology held their first meeting as part of the new initiative on May 6, according to a joint press release. Agriculture minister Dith Tina explained that the meeting was an important opportunity for the…