The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced free training courses in traditional craft skills, as part of the new government’s plans to offer vocational training to 1.5 million youth, especially those from poor or vulnerable families. In an announcement video posted by the ministry – and shared by Prime Minister Hun Manet – the ministry explained that the skills on offer will include Khmok-Smach (a traditional type of weaving used to make ceremonial face masks, as well as baskets), silver, bronze and stone sculpting, leatherwork, silk weaving, pottery, traditional musical instrument construction and painting. Applicants who hold IDpoor…
Author: Niem Chheng
Prime Minister Hun Manet met with French Senate president Gérard Larcher for talks and invited him to pay an official visit to Cambodia. During the January 18 meeting, Larcher highlighted the excellent relations between Cambodia and France, particularly the cooperation between the senates of the two countries since 1999, according to a social media post by Manet. Manet briefed Larcher on his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which focused on development cooperation in various sectors of mutual interests to both countries, such as politics, the economy, culture, and language, among others. “During the meeting, the prime minister invited the…
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Cambodia’s position on Ukraine and its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, while also pledging €200 million ($217 million) in development assistance. Macron noted the two countries long historic relations, and committed to deepening their ties. Macron met with Prime Minister Hun Manet on January 18 in Paris, during Manet’s first European visit since taking office in August last year. At a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris, Macron welcomed Manet to France. He said that since 1991, France has supported Cambodia’s development, and noted that Manet’s visit provides an excellent opportunity for…
USAID head Samantha Power has expressed her appreciation for Cambodia’s efforts to reduce communicable disease statistics, as well as maternal deaths and those of babies and children under five. Power met with Prime Minister Hun Manet on January 17, on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. A social media post by Manet said that Power also confirmed USAID’s continued cooperation on existing projects and said the US development agency will provide further aid in the fields of the environment, education, biodiversity and ecology protection, as well as promotion of community livelihoods. Manet spoke highly of USAID’s…
Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the interest of Swiss company Bühler Group in introducing new technology into the Kingdom’s agriculture sector. The sector has been prioritized by Manet’s seventh-mandate government. Manet met for talks with Bühler Group’s quality control and cereal supply director Mary Akinyi Olwal in Davos, Switzerland on January 17, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. “She expressed her interest in expanding her company’s investment by bringing leading technology for agriculture development into Cambodia. Bühler Group’s technology can be employed from the seedling stage to harvesting, processing and exporting products abroad,” said Manet, via social media.…
Prime Minister Hun Manet met for talks with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17. Blair, currently the executive director of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, expressed his keen interest in Cambodia’s development goals and priorities, particularly in the sectors of energy, the environment, agriculture and industry. He said his institute is currently cooperating with many developing countries, including several in the ASEAN region. Manet briefed Blair on his government’s Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, which focuses on human resources development, maintaining growth, digital advancements and job…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has issued a sub-decree naming the Run Ta Ek development areas as “Run Ta Ek Techo Sen Town”. The new town encompasses Run Ta Ek commune in Banteay Srei district and Balaing commune in Prasat Bakong district. The January 11 sub-decree – released on the afternoon of January 16 – stated that the establishment of this town will be effective from the date of the next provincial and district council elections, slated to take place on May 26. Currently, Run Ta Ek is located in Siem Reap province’s Banteay Srei district. It is the location chosen…
Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomes plans by a French wind power company to expand their operations into Cambodia. The new investment comes as the Kingdom looks to increase its clean energy generation, as part of efforts to combat climate change. Manet took to social media to announce this following his meeting with Olivier Duguet, chairman and CEO of Blue Circle, in Paris on January 15. During the meeting, Duguet briefed the prime minister on current investments by his company in Cambodia, as well as their expansion plans. Duguet explained that his company focuses on reviewable energy, specifically wind power. Through…
Puy Du Fou, a French theme park operator, has expressed interest in launching a groundbreaking “Immersive Angkor” 3D museum in Cambodia. Geoffroy Ladet, the CEO of Puy Du Fou Asia, announced the project during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Paris on January 15, as per a statement posted to Manet’s social media. Ladet briefed Manet on his company’s advancements in Cambodia and outlined the “Immersive Angkor” initiative, employing 3D scanning to showcase Khmer culture to visitors. The project, introduced as a complementary addition to the tourism sector, aims to enhance the experience beyond visiting ancient temples and…
Cambodia’s foreign ministry has reiterated the country’s stance on the One China policy following Taiwan’s general election that saw vice president Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secure victory on January 13. The victory of the DPP was seen as a setback for China’s influence over Taiwan. Although the party advocates strongly for self-governance, it has not demonstrated any intentions to declare independence from China. Meanwhile, Beijing persists in its quest for “peaceful reunification”. “In light of recent developments in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterates Cambodia’s resolute adherence to the One China policy, recognising the…