The Senate has approved a draft law on waterway transport, as well as passed an amendment to the Marrakesh Agreement.
Both motions were passed with a unanimous vote of 57, during the 4th extraordinary session of the Senate on March 12.
The amendment to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Marrakesh accord includes a Fisheries Subsidy Agreement, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of marine resources.
The draft law on water transport is intended to pave the way for the development of the water transportation and navigation sector, said the Senate’s March 13 press release.
It explained that the protocols of the Marrakesh Agreement require each of the 123 state parties to cease conducting or sponsoring any activities that destroy global fishery stocks.
“This agreement demonstrates Cambodia’s willingness to cooperate with the international community to eliminate unreported or unregulated fishing and prevent overfishing, in accordance with the Kingdom’s marine fisheries management policy,” it said.
“It strengthens the conservation, protection and sustainable management of marine resources. It supports our ability to respond to the UN Sustainable Development Goal indicator 14.6 and means we are eligible to receive technical assistance and funding to strengthen our capacity to manage and conserve our marine fisheries resources,” it added.
Im Rachna, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, noted that the Marrakesh Agreement was established by the WTO in 1994.
“After more than 20 years of consultation, the agreement on fisheries subsidies was approved by the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO on June 17, 2022 in Switzerland, with an amendment to the existing Marrakesh agreement to include the subsidies agreement,” she said.
She added that once it was approved, the WTO urged all members to proceed with the ratification process and amend the agreement.
The draft law on water transport is designed to support the development of the sector, including ports, by ensuring the safety and security.
The Senate press release explained that the law will regulate the management of ships, crews, ports and waterway infrastructure, while providing employment opportunities for Cambodian sailors to work on foreign vessels.
It will also promote possible investment in the water transport section, such as through shipping companies, navigation services, maintenance services and crew training facilities.
Heang Sotheayuth, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the full approval of the Senate confirmed that the package of laws that the ministry has been working on were comprehensive, correct and served the national interest.
“This law will benefit the Kingdom’s socio-economic development, in accordance with the priorities set out in the first phase of the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy,” he added.
