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Cambodia Fully Supports Timor-Leste to Become ASEAN Member

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has expressed Cambodia’s full support to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Cambodian premier hoped that Timor-Leste will become the ASEAN 11th member this year or next year, H.E. Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation told reporters upon the meeting between Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting President of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta held here on Tuesday at the Peace Palace.

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen also explained that Cambodia’s support to Timor-Leste is regardless the country is poor or rich, small or big, but to reflect the equal rights of the countries in the region.

He further said that Cambodia is delighted to see Timor-Leste is in peace, stability and economic growth and he accepted the invitation to pay a visit to the country in an appropriate time this year, said Ieng Sophalet, assistant to the Cambodian prime minister.

For his part, President of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, told Samdech Techo Hun Sen of his country’s situation, indicating that Timor-Leste’s economic growth has reached ten percent since 2007 and the country now has no external debt, but money surplus deposited in the bank.

“Therefore, the Timor-Leste’s request to join ASEAN will not be a burden for any country,” he stressed, adding that Timor-Leste’s objective is to integrate into the region and to strengthen and expand the regional cooperation.

H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta arrived here yesterday morning for a three-day state visit. On the same day, he was received in a royal audience by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

According to the schedule, the president of Timor-Leste will pay courtesy calls on Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, and National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin on Mar. 30. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Cambodia Launches Latest Report on Progress of Millennium Development Goals

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Cambodia’s latest report on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals was officially launched today, drawing attention to the needs for greater interventions to address three goals in particular: tackling extreme poverty, reducing maternal death and protecting natural resources.

The Cambodia Millennium Development Goals (CMDGs) Update 2010 said the country’s progress towards its Millennium Development Goals has been substantial but varied. The greatest progress has been made in CMDG4 (Reduce child mortality) and CMDG6 (Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). There has been slow progress made in trying to achieve universal primary education (CMDG2), promote gender equality and empower women (CMDG3), and clear land mines and explosive remnants of war (CMDG9).

In remaining years leading up the 2015 target date, more attentions will be needed on CMDG1 (eradicating extreme poverty and hunger), CMDG5 (improve maternal health), and CMDG7 (ensuring environmental sustainability). Some aspects of the three goals are “worryingly off-track”, according to the report which was launched during a workshop in Siem Reap today.

“The new CMDG report shows us clearly what we can achieve by 2015 and what we might not achieve,” H.E. Chhay Than, Senior Minister and Minister of Planning, said at the launching ceremony.

“We need to put emphasis on the economic development aspect as it is the first and foremost means to achieve social development. For instance, we say we want to reduce poverty but how can we do so if we still have no food in the plate and no hospital for the sick,” he added.

The 2010 report was prepared by the Ministry of Planning with the technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is the fifth report on the achievements of CMDGs.

The new report pointed to rural-urban income gap, high maternal deaths and lack of access for women to emergency obstetric care, and high dependency on wood for fuel and issues surrounding land titling as among the factors behind the lack of progress in the CMDG1, 5 and 7.

“With less than five years left to the MDG 2015 target date, this report represents an important milestone for UNDP’s work in Cambodia,” Mr. Natharoun Ngo, assistant country director and team leader of the Poverty Reduction unit at UNDP Cambodia. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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Cambodia, UNDP Hold Talks on “Action Plan for 2011-2015”

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Cambodia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opened here on Mar. 29 the annual meeting on “Development Cooperation Financing Framework” under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Keat Chhon.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Chheang Yanara, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary General of Cambodian Development and Rehabilitation Committee, and Mrs. Elena Tischenko, UNDP Director to Cambodia as well as technical officials and experts.

According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), the meeting focused on “UNDP’s Country Programme Action Plan 2011-2015” and aimed to support UNDP’s key fields including poverty reduction, democratic governance, environmental and climate change management, etc. –AKP

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International Co-prosecutor Appeals for Increasing Sentence Against Duch

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – International co-prosecutor appealed the UN-backed Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia to increase the sentence for Khmer Rouge War Crime Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch from 35 to 45 years term in jail.

In a hearing process at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) held on Mar. 29, Mr. Andrew Cayley, international prosecutor, asked the court to stiffen the sentence against Duch from 35 to 45 years or to life in prison and not to be released in exchange for any conditions.

In the court hearing held a day before yesterday, Dutch’s defense lawyer Mr. Kar Savuth asked the court to release his client, arguing that the tribunal does not have jurisdiction to convict his client, it means that Duch is not the one who is responsible for the guilty that the court found.

He insisted that Duch was obliged to carry out orders as other prison chiefs did in the regime.

All the suggestions made by Duch’s defense lawyer were opposed by national prosecutor.

As planned, the hearing lasts for three days and is expected to finish today.

Last year, the tribunal found the chief of infamous S-21 torture center during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) Duch guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 35 years of imprisonment. –AKP

By THOU Peou

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Cambodia Fully Supports Timor-Leste to Become ASEAN Member

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has expressed Cambodia’s full support to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Cambodian premier hoped that Timor-Leste will become the ASEAN 11th member this year or next year, H.E. Koy Kuong, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation told reporters upon the meeting between Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting President of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta held here on Tuesday at the Peace Palace.

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen also explained that Cambodia’s support to Timor-Leste is regardless the country is poor or rich, small or big, but to reflect the equal rights of the countries in the region.

He further said that Cambodia is delighted to see Timor-Leste is in peace, stability and economic growth and he accepted the invitation to pay a visit to the country in an appropriate time this year, said Ieng Sophalet, assistant to the Cambodian prime minister.

For his part, President of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, told Samdech Techo Hun Sen of his country’s situation, indicating that Timor-Leste’s economic growth has reached ten percent since 2007 and the country now has no external debt, but money surplus deposited in the bank.

“Therefore, the Timor-Leste’s request to join ASEAN will not be a burden for any country,” he stressed, adding that Timor-Leste’s objective is to integrate into the region and to strengthen and expand the regional cooperation.

H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta arrived here yesterday morning for a three-day state visit. On the same day, he was received in a royal audience by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

According to the schedule, the president of Timor-Leste will pay courtesy calls on Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, and National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin on Mar. 30. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Senior Officials of China, ASEAN To Consult in East China

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Senior officials of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold their 17th annual consultations in east China city of Hangzhou on Mar. 30-31.

Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying that Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue and senior officials of the ASEAN countries will attend the meeting to discuss China-ASEAN relations as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

The meeting, hosted by China and the ASEAN countries alternatively every year, is considered an important mechanism for the two sides, said the press release.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. –AKP

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Cambodia-VN Friendship To Develop Firmly

Phnom Penh, March 30, 2011 AKP – Vietnamese Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan has expressed her belief that with efforts by states and people, the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia would develop firmly.

The Vietnamese vice state president expressed her aspiration while receiving a visiting Cambodian delegation headed by Khun Chhy, former Cambodian Transport Minister, in Hanoi on Mar. 29, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Stressing the traditional friendship and mutual assistance during the past struggle for national liberation and the current national construction, Doan confirmed that the fine relations between the two countries resulted from the efforts and devotion of generations of Vietnamese and Cambodians and there was a responsibility in educating young people to continue these precious traditions.

Khun Chhy appreciated assistance from the Vietnamese people to help the Cambodian people escape from genocide and said Cambodia would never forget the help and devotion of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in the past.

He informed the hosts that during the visit the delegation met Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts, who stood side by side with the Cambodian people during their past difficulties.

The same day, the Cambodian delegation was received by Vu Xuan Hong, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, who expressed his hope that the visit would contribute to boosting the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

The Cambodian delegation also paid a tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. –AKP

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U.S. Thanks Cambodia for Supporting the U.S. Search for American Soldiers’ Remains

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – Mrs. Ann Mills Griffith, executive director of U.S. National League of Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action (POW/MIA) Families profoundly thanked the Cambodian government and people for their active support in searching the remains of the American soldiers missing in Cambodia during the war time.

Cambodia has been recognized by its efforts and high standard in this issue, Mrs. Ann Mills Griffith said here today during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

Mrs. Griffith also would like to have a joint meeting between Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the U.S. to cooperate in searching the remains of the American soldiers who lost their lives during the Indochina war, Ieng Sophalet, assistant to the Cambodian premier told reporters after the meeting.

In reply, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed Cambodia’s irreversible stance since 1994 to actively cooperate in this humanitarian work even though Cambodia and the U.S. have not yet reestablished their diplomatic relations at that time.

He further encouraged all sides to cooperate in looking for new information sources and urged the U.S to speed up the search because the people who have known this issue are getting very old now. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Cambodian PM Asks for Chinese Investment in Rice and Cassava Processing Facilities in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has asked Chinese ambassador to Cambodia to help encourage Chinese investors for the investment in rice and cassava processing facilities in Cambodia.

While presiding over a ceremony to break ground for the construction of Road 57B in Thmar Korl district of the northwestern province of Battambang, the Cambodian premier said this to boost Cambodia’s economy and to promote rice exportation to China and other countries.

He also presented huge potentials for agricultural development in the area, saying that the cultivated area in the region covers more than 25,000 hectares, as a big rice stockpile and agricultural centre of the country. As planned, he said, it will be an agro-industrial centre of the country in the future.

The Cambodian prime minister called on Cambodian laborers not to leave their home to work illegally in Thailand because they could face many risks happening to them.

He also expressed profound thanks to the government and people of China for their financial support for the road construction in Cambodia.

The road with a length of 176 kilometers is constructed with a fund of US$89.9 million financed by China’s soft loan. It will take 48 months to complete.

When completed, the road will provide huge economic benefit to the Cambodian people to truck their agricultural produce to markets and facilitate them in traveling easier and faster. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary

Article in English by THOU Peou

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Improving Rural Sanitation and Hygiene in Rural Cambodia

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Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – When the world community was celebrating the World Water Day, the Ministry of Rural Development and Plan International Cambodia on Mar. 22 launched the Cambodia Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Program funded by the Global Sanitation Fund at Cambodiana Hotel, Phnom Penh, under the chairmanship of H.E. Try Meng, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Rural Development.

The 5-year sanitation and hygiene improvement programme of US$5 million will expand the collaboration between Plan International Cambodia and the Ministry of Rural Development in a manner that will significantly contribute to addressing deprived basic sanitation among 200,000 rural Cambodian households.

“The living standard of our people has been remarkably improving with the decline of poverty rate from 35 percent in 2004 to 27.2 percent in 2010; however, the number of households who invests in their latrine remains low,” addressed H.E. Try Meng to approximately 100 participants in the launch, adding that to overcome this, there is a need to bring about positive behavior change among the rural Cambodian households. The change of people’s behavior to stop open defecation demands their personal commitment that will walk hand-in-hand with the collective effort by the Ministry of Rural Development, local authorities and partner organizations. In so doing, we will be able to achieve the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and the National Policy for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation by 2025.

“The lack and/or poor sanitation facilities and personal hygiene practices are major causes of diarrhoea death. Diarrhoea contributes to about 17 percent death for the Children U5 Mortality Rate. As a child centred organization, we are therefore concerned that children die before reaching their fifth birthday and even the first birthday. I am sure this is also a concern of many organizations and institutions as well as individuals in Cambodia. The Global Sanitation Fund programme is a fundamental force to bring about the realisation of the very basic children, especially the right to survival,” said Plan International Cambodia’s Country Director Supriyanto, continuing that the programme will be implemented in five provinces across Cambodia where basic sanitation is most challenging.

According to Barry Jackson, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council’s Programme Manager for the Global Sanitation Fund, Cambodia is a prime place for the GSF to add value. Recent work by the government and national and international non-governmental organizations, for example, have helped encourage some Cambodians to move from open defecation to consistent use of latrines. The GSF will build upon these successes by providing additional funding that supports efforts to raise awareness of sanitation and hygiene practices and to change individual behaviours. –AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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Cambodian PM Asks for Chinese Investment in Rice and Cassava Processing Facilities in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has asked Chinese ambassador to Cambodia to help encourage Chinese investors for the investment in rice and cassava processing facilities in Cambodia.

While presiding over a ceremony to break ground for the construction of Road 57B in Thmar Korl district of the northwestern province of Battambang, the Cambodian premier said this to boost Cambodia’s economy and to promote rice exportation to China and other countries.

He also presented huge potentials for agricultural development in the area, saying that the cultivated area in the region covers more than 25,000 hectares, as a big rice stockpile and agricultural centre of the country. As planned, he said, it will be an agro-industrial centre of the country in the future.

The Cambodian prime minister called on Cambodian laborers not to leave their home to work illegally in Thailand because they could face many risks happening to them.

He also expressed profound thanks to the government and people of China for their financial support for the road construction in Cambodia.

The road with a length of 176 kilometers is constructed with a fund of US$89.9 million financed by China’s soft loan. It will take 48 months to complete.

When completed, the road will provide huge economic benefit to the Cambodian people to truck their agricultural produce to markets and facilitate them in traveling easier and faster. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary

Article in English by THOU Peou

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Permanent DPM Asks Ministry of Labor to Further Enhance Work Conditions

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Mrs. Men Sam An has asked the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training to pay more attention to further enhance the work conditions of workers.

The deputy premier told the participants here on Mar. 22 while she was presiding over the opening ceremony of the ministry’s annual meeting to review the works of 2010 and set forth new goals for 2011.

According to the reports presented at the meeting, in 2010 there were some 77 new enterprise establishments with 22,776 workers while 51 enterprises with 17,141 workers were shut down and four others with 1,280 workers reportedly postponed their activities.

The report further pointed out that the royal government had permitted over 30 companies to arrange for Cambodian laborers to work in foreign countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Japan. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary

Article in English by LIM Nary

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Minister of Education: More Challenges Remain Despite Development in Education

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP – Cambodia’s education has been developing rapidly, but many challenges remain, especially the education quality from the basic to the higher level, said here yesterday Minister of Education, Youth and Sports H.E. Im Sethy.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the ministry’s annual meeting, the minister further stressed the priority and strategic actions such as improvement of education quality by strengthening teachers’ capacity, management, good governance, inspection, and by increasing equal opportunities for all children, youth and people.

According to the ministry’s report, over 3.5 million students are currently attending 4,114 kindergartens, 6,767 primary schools, 1,596 lower secondary schools, 407 higher secondary schools and 91 higher education institutions.

This figure shows that out of four Cambodians, one is in school, said H.E. Im Sethy.

Rafael Dochao Moreno, deputy head of Education Working Group and the chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to Cambodia, said 95.2 percent of Cambodian children attend primary schools.

This is a great achievement, he said, adding that this also shows the importance of continued attention to encourage the remaining 5 percent to go to school.

For her part, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Mrs. Men Sam An, who presided over the opening ceremony of the three-day meeting, focused on equitable access to education, improvement of education quality and efficiency in order to enhance the country’s educational field. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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New Information Director of Mondulkiri Province Appointed

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP –

The new director of Information Department of Mondulkiri province took office in a ceremony held there yesterday under the presidency of Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister asked the provincial information officials to improve their capacity in this technological era.

The minister said that the equipment together with the freshly-trained officials will help accelerate the news broadcasting in the province and the sending of news from the province to the National Television of Cambodia, the National Radio of Cambodia and the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP).

H.E. Khieu Kanharith also provided a video camera, a photo camera, a laptop and US$2,500 to the provincial information department.

For his part, the newly-appointed director of Provincial Information Department Mr. Son Saroeun told the participants in the ceremony that he will try his best to maintain a good cooperation and coordination with the government institutions and NGOs for the national and social interests. –AKP

By Théng

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Cambodia’s Real Estate Is Recovering

Phnom Penh, March 23, 2011 AKP –The price of lands and houses in Cambodia has started to rise after it bogged down to the bottom, but this takes time to be on the full recovery, according to the president of National Valuers Association of Cambodia Mr. Sung Bonna.

As compared with the price in 2009 and 2010, this year the price of lands and houses show a good sign of recovery although it is slow, Mr. Sung Bonna who is also President of the Bonna Realty Group and Vice-Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association, told a two-day training seminar on Real Estate Valuation held here last Friday.

Representatives from various real estate companies, banks and micro-financial establishments attended the seminar, the third of its kind. Mr. Sok Siphanna, economic adviser to the Royal Government of Cambodia was also present on the occasion.

The training seminar is very important for it can tell the evolution of the real estate in the world as well as in Cambodia and its evaluation, the obligation of property owners for both Cambodian and foreign citizens and the process of the request for ownership and its impacts, Mr. Sung Bonna said.

For his part, Mr. Sok Siphanna said the seminar is in line with the government’s policy to promote the progress in all fields for the sustainable national economic development. –AKP

By Noeu

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PM Hun Sen Welcomes MOU between Cambodian and South Korean Environment Institutions

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has welcomed the signing of MOU between Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and South Korean’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), saying that the country concentrated its hope on South Korea to assist in increasing the greenness.

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen was speaking while receiving South Korean President’s Special Envoy and GGGI’s Chairman Mr. Han Seung-soo in Phnom Penh last Friday.

He said that Cambodia was developing and despite the fact that the development was progressing with Cambodia’s own greenness, it had to be cautious as the greenness would reduce and would be replaced by dryness.

He informed the South Korean envoy that Cambodia had divided the areas into the projected zones, development zones and reforested zones to expand the natural areas and reforestation.

Speaking of the challenging issues, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that 95 percent of Cambodian people use firewood to cook food and to produce palm sugar. He added that the loggings were banned by the Royal Government of Cambodia since 1998 and the remaining loggings are just for local consumption.

For his part, Mr. Han Seung-soo said that South Korea is much interested in growing the green resources and GGGI, which was established two years ago, would like to share the experiences in green growth with Cambodia.

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the South Korean President for having extended to him the warm regards. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by Ravuth M.

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Cambodia To Host Gems and Jewelry Exhibition in June

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – Cambodia is going to host the third Gems and Jewelry Exhibition in June, an official of the Ministry of Commerce said.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place from June 16 to 19 at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center, Phnom Penh, he indicated.

Local jewelry and gem traders as well as those from Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand will be invited to join the four-day exhibition, he said.

The first Gems and Jewelry Exhibition was held in 2009 and in 2010, the second exhibition attracted 49 local companies and foreign businessmen from seven countries.

Gems and jewelry are one of the major potentials for the country’s development. In Cambodia, precious stones are mostly found in the provinces of Pailin, Takeo, Ratanakiri and Kampong Thom, etc. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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The International Drawing Competition on “Gender Equality” Launched

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – The 2011 Gender Equality Drawing Competition for Children was launched here on Mar. 11 at Preah Sisowath high school in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the International Women’s Day.

The launching ceremony was attended by Chargé d’affaires of the EU delegation to Cambodia Mr. Rafael Dochao Moreno and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports H.E. Pit Chamnan.

The director of Phnom Penh Education Department, the president of Mith Samlanh Organization (Friends), representatives from 60 schools in Phnom Penh and more than 100 students from Preah Sisowath high school and Daun Penh primary school were also present at the event.

With a top prize of 1,000 euros (about US$1,300), the competition, jointly organized by EU and Mith Samlanh Organization, is held this year under the theme “girls and boys, together can make the world a better place”, according to Mr. Rafael Dochao Moreno.

For his part, H.E. Pit Chamnan expressed his support to the competition, stressing that drawing is very important in building people’s intelligence and knowledge.

In 2010, over 1,800 Cambodian children participated in the competition with other 50,000 children aged from 8 to 10 from 61 countries. A Cambodian boy, 8, from Anuwath primary school in Siem Reap province was among other 14 children from different regions of the world who won the competition.

The International Drawing Competition on gender equality has been run by the European Commission since 2007 with great success. The competition aims to mobilize and raise the awareness of both children and adults around the issue of gender equality. –AKP

By LIM Nary

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Cambodian Tourism Delegation Leaves for Russia and Switzerland

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – To build up tourism network and seek high-level partners for Cambodian capacity building, Cambodian Tourism Minister H.E. Thong Khon on Mar. 11 led a delegation to Russia and Switzerland.

In the first country, Russia, the Cambodian delegation will sign the 2012-2014 joint action work plan on tourism cooperation with the Russian counterpart. In addition to mutual tourism promotion and experience sharing, the action work plan is supposed to re-enable direct flight from Russia to Cambodia, Mr.Tith Chantha, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before the departure of the delegation.

In Switzerland, he added, the Cambodian delegation will sign a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of Switzerland-supported cooking training center in Cambodia. Switzerland has been very famous internationally for its cooking skill and other services related to hotel and tourism.

As said by Mr. Tith Chantha, the international mission of the Cambodian tourism delegation contributes to preparing the capacity and quality of Cambodian tourism sector to welcome visitors projected to rise to 2.7 million in 2011, 3.1 million in 2012 and 7 million in 2020.

The delegation led by H.E. Thong Khon will return home on Mar. 17, 2011. –AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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A Means to Better Women’s and Children’s Health

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – A health centre, located in Svay Chek commune of Angkor Thom district, Siem Reap province, was inaugurated last Friday by Plan International Cambodia in the presence of H.E. Mao Vuthy, Personal Advisor to National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin and Vice Governor of Siem Reap province.

Funded by the GSK (GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd), the approximately US$100,000 worth Svay Chek health centre was constructed under the partnership among Plan International Cambodia, Siem Reap Operational District (OD), Siem Reap Provincial Health Department and respective community people in complete conformation with the National Health Centre Architectural Design Standard.

It cost the residents of Svay Chek commune, Angkor Thom district of Siem Reap province with an average of 30,000 riels [7.5$] and 3 hours to refer a sick family member to the most attainable treatment before the existence of this local health center.

Remarkably, the deprivation of health service attributes tremendously to the high rate of maternal and child mortality rate in Cambodia and Svay Chek commune is no exception.

According to Provincial Profile 2010, Siem Reap-wide, there were 151 mother deaths per 100,000 mothers having childbirth, 8 among 1,000 children died between 0 to 1 month old and 178 children died before their fifth birthday. In Angkor Thom district alone, 4 mothers and 10 children died in 0 to 1 month after the delivery and 14 children died before their fifth birthday.

“Children mostly suffer from preventable diseases like acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhea and dengue fever that stifle their quality enjoyment of their education and socialization and that worsen their family economy which is already low,” said Plan Cambodia’s Siem Reap Programme Unit Manager Pich Sophary, adding that the newly constructed health center is expected to benefit more than 5,575 population (2,887 females) in which 2,749 or 49 percent are children (1,411 or more than 50 percent of them are girls).

The participatory approach will tap the health centre’s lasting quality health care service provision – a means that well responds to the commitment of Cambodian First Lady, Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen, in her new title given by the United Nations as National Champion for the United Nations Secretary General’s Joint Plan of Action for Women’s and Children’s Health.

Svay Chek health centre is the second one of its kind supported by Plan International Cambodia. The first one is the June-2009 opened Prey health centre in Srei Snam district. It earned national recognition by the Ministry of Health as the first top among 60 health centres Siem Reap-wide for its user-friendly facilities, round-the-clock service and good moral staff.

Improving grassroots community health and practices is one of many programme interventions of Plan International Cambodia in its effort to end child poverty – an approach believed to effectively address the country’s poverty and build stronger next generations. –AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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Workshop to Promote Community Fish Breeding Held

Phnom Penh, March 14, 2011 AKP – The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in collaboration with the European Union Food Security Programme organized here last Friday a consultative workshop to promote fish hatchery development and community-pond fish breeding at the Ministry’s Agricultural Department.

Officially opened by Mr. Srun Lim Song, Deputy Director General of Fisheries Administration, the one-day workshop is expected to enable the compilation of a fish breeding guide book that will consequently increase community food supplies.

According to Mr. Pav Ratana, Communication Officer of EU Food Security Programme, the workshop is part of the European Union Programme to boost Cambodia’s agricultural sector, especially in response to the world’s tendency of increasing food price.

The two-year programme that will end within few months, he added, has invested US$15 million in physical infrastructure like building water waterway as well as other irrigation facilities. Some of the amount also goes to service provision, like providing fingerlings, rice and vegetable seeds and capacity building to households and concerned authorities.

The programme is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to rehabilitate and dig totally 86 community ponds to breed fish in nine provinces across Cambodia.

The fish breeding guide book produced by the workshop will thereby ensure the sustainability of fish breeding practice in both the existing and expanded community. –AKP

By MOM Chan Dara Soleil

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