Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that Cambodia will not align itself with any politically motivated regional or global mechanisms, nor those which are opposed to any other country or bloc. Instead, under his leadership, the Kingdom will engage only with mechanisms that do not compromise its independence. While addressing a ceremony held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cambodia’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) on October 14, the prime minister explained that he had assigned Aun Pornmoniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance, the task of reviewing regional and global mechanisms to determine whether Cambodia should join or avoid…
Author: Niem Chheng
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and Ant International announced the official launch on cross-border payments between Bakong and Alipay+ on October 14. The agreement will extend seamless payments for millions of customers and merchants via the two mobile payment systems and their partners. Chea Serey, NBC governor, addressed the launch event, explaining that currently, visitors from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea and Malaysia can make payments via Bakong, to more than 3 million merchants in Cambodia. The new MoU with Alipay+ includes China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and more, through Bakong and Alipay+. “Following this launch, users of…
The committee overseeing a government campaign to expedite court case resolutions and address irregularities has continued to urge the public to file complaints, should they believe their cases involve irregularities or delays. The Ministry of Justice made the appeal in an October 11 press release, which provided an update on the results of the current campaign to accelerate case resolutions and address irregularities in courts. The campaign is being personally led by Minister of Justice Koeut Rith. The campaign began on January 9. As of October 9, courts across the country had resolved over 130,000 of 180,000 which were before…
Canada is planning to open an embassy in Phnom Penh in the near future, a move that analysts believe highlights the growing diplomatic relationship between the two countries, while reflecting Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its foreign diplomacy. The plan to establish diplomatic representation in Cambodia was confirmed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a working meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and related meetings on October 10. “Trudeau informed me that to strengthen diplomatic relations, Canada plans to open an embassy in Phnom Penh in the near…
The Chinese government has pledged over $42 million in aid to boost infrastructure development in the Kingdom, a contribution that analysts view as significant, especially as China experiences slower-than-hoped-for economic growth. The announcement of the 300 million yuan (over $42 million) aid was made during a bilateral meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Vientiane, Laos, where both attended the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings from October 9-11. “Regarding infrastructure development, the Chinese side continues to support Cambodia in its infrastructure development by providing an additional grant of 300 million yuan…
Representatives from banks and microfinance institutions have expressed their commitment to restructuring loans for customers facing financial difficulties, as the number and volume of such requests continue to rise. At an October 8 press conference, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) and the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), along with representatives from ABA Bank, ACLEDA Bank, LOLC and Maybank affirmed their willingness to continue restructuring loans to assist customers struggling due to declining incomes. These financial institutions emphasised that debt reorganisation does not affect customers’ credit history or harm their records with Credit Bureau…
Condolences are extended to the family of General Sem Sovanny, who was often involved in the dispatch of Cambodian soldiers for UN peacekeeping missions abroad. He passed away on October 8 at the age of 65. Sovanny was well known in the field of peacekeeping, serving as director general of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC). He played a key role in the deployment and welcoming of Cambodian peacekeeping forces involved in UN missions across 10 nations and regions. Sovanny was on duty on Monday, the day before his passing, which was…
Ly Thuch, president of the Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, better known as the Ottawa Convention, called for more world leaders to take part in the Ottawa Convention conference in Siem Reap next month as he reflected on global successes in mine action, in Cambodia in particular. Thuch, who serves as first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), addressed the General Debate of the First Committee on Disbarment and International Security at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the US, on October 9. He called for…
Cambodia defended its human rights record at the 41st meeting of the 57th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, where special rapporteur Vitit Muntarbhorn and several high-profile countries raised concerns, including the recent arrest of journalist Mech Dara. At the meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland on October 7, Muntarbhorn reported on the progress Cambodia has made in terms of humanitarian action, social protection measures and poverty reduction. However, he also went to great lengths to describe the country’s human rights issues, including what he referred to as the prosecution of activists and journalists reporting on human trafficking and…