BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
The Royal Government of Cambodia plans increased exports of 19 priority products that have the most potential on international markets. The promotion of these products will contribute to the nation’s economic development and reduce poverty.
Kem Sithan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, said that his government has formulated these economic plans with markets in Europe in mind.
The Secretary of State recently that these 19 locally produced commodities would include rice, corn, soy beans, sesame, potato, rubber and fish.
“In order to increase markets for our farmer’s products, the Ministry of Commerce is now identifying stable markets in European countries,” said Sithan. “We are also going to help our farmers strengthen the quality of their produce, as well as the quantity they can grow.”
Sithan said the plan for the 19 products relied on the support of international markets and that his government was doing all in its power to ensure this.
“Currently, the quality of our agricultural products needs some attention to nudge it up to meet international standards. This will be the first step in our mission to increase international demand for Cambodian goods,” he said.
He continued, “The other wing of our campaign concerns quantity. Currently, the demand is out there, but we do not yet have the capacity to meet it. Thus, we are going to tackle this challenge on two fronts, taking care of quality, but also training our farmers. We have to educate them and all relevant officers in the ways to make the most effective use of the land available.”
The Secretary of State also emphasized that these measures would be rolled out across the entire nation. He said his Ministry also planned to ease export procedures, making export licenses easier to obtain and speeding up the passage of Cambodian commodities across international checkpoints. He also promised meaningful reductions on export taxes.
Thong Sina, Director of the Commerce Office in Banteay Meanchey province, said that
Cambodian farmers were largely unaware of the demands of international markets. Their business plans and worldview were limited by local conditions and demands.
‘We believe that if our farmers are taught the basic economic principles concerning markets, supply and demand; if they are shown how to make the best use of their land, then they would be able to play a profitable role in the world’s trading centers,” he said.
Dr. Yang Saing Koma, President of the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), agreed with the government’s choice of 19 commodities. According to his observations, Cambodian exports have been increasing over the past eight years. He noted that hundreds of tons of Cambodian rice, beans and rubber resins made their way to markets in Japan as well as Europe.
Saing Koma observed that the quality of raw materials produced by Cambodia’s farmers was as good if not better than anything else produced in the region. The flow of exports was impeded however by the quality of packaging. Exported goods undertake an arduous journey and they need packaging protection if they are to arrive at the buyer’s door in pristine condition.
He also noted the discrepancy between quantities demanded and the ability of Cambodia’s small scale and uncoordinated farming operations to meet these demands.
Currently, CEDAC has been working with local farmers across the nation to introduce them to practices that promise both quality and quantity under a controlled policy that promotes sustainability.
He said that his organization has also been helping farmers to establish networks and marketing strategies. These drives will help farmers share valuable experience and enable them to get a fair deal for their produce.
He also said that his organization has promised to buy rice and other products from the farmers for milling and packaging. These products will then be marketed across the country and the world. Last year alone, CEDAC bought a total of 1,200 tones of rice from farmers in eight provinces, all of it processed, packaged and sold. He added that next year, CEDAC plans to buy around 3,000 tones from the 4,000 farmers covered by CEDAC’s economic policies.
Sok Chamroeun, Executive Director of the Khmer Farmers Association, a local association formed in 1994 and based in Kandal province, said that every harvesting season, huge quantities of Cambodian rice were bought by middlemen and exported to Vietnam and Thailand. He said that according to his findings, this was the very best quality rice and was more than capable of meeting international standards.
He continued “If Cambodian government can control the illegal export of rice to neighboring countries, we will have more rice for sale in more distant but more profitable markets.”
Mao Sok, 50, and a farmer living in Tram Kak district, Takeo province, said that he and his family had been in the trade for the last 30 years. He has seven children and four hectares of land with which to support them.
Sok said he could produce about 30 tones of rice per year and can earn up to 4 million riel a year when working with local businessmen.
Kong Sarom, 45, is another farmer from Baseth district in Kampong Speu province and he can look back on over 25 years experience in the trade. He has five children and six hectares of land, producing about 50 tones per year and earning roughly five million riels.
“I think that if there is a direction and guarantee from the government or sizeable private company, they are welcome to my produce for export abroad. I would be happy to cooperate with them and encouraged to work even harder,” he said.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Cambodia Hosts First Real Estate Expo 2008
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodia will host Her first Real Estate Exposition over two days from 21st to 23rd November 2008. Ly Sok, Chairman of the Whale Group, a company that organizes events such as these said the expo would take place in Phnom Penh.
Sok, a business leader, strategist and entrepreneur, with experience in marketing and logistics, said the Whale Group will be supported by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations.
The Chairman said that about 30 national and international companies form Korea, Malaysia and Singapore will take part in the exposition. Local exhibitors include Grand Phnom Penh International City, CamKO City, and Koh Pich, 7NG, IFC, Golden Tower 42, De Cassetle, Pharos Mekong, and Phnom Penh City Towers, 43 Apartment Developers and a further 9 Borey Developers in Cambodia.
“The Exposition which is a brand owned by Whale Event Management, is a new event that responds to the demand of real estate development,” he said. “It will become an annual exhibition, bringing together city developers, investors, governments, architects, designers, professionals and consumers involved in the real estate industry in Cambodia.”
“It is a new and relevant response to current property development trends in Cambodia,” said the Chairman when speaking to the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview. He added, “It really is a “must see” event for all involved in the real estate industry.”
He continued, “The main objective of the Real Estate Expo 2008 is to encourage and support growth in the residential and property markets nationwide. It is a place where leading developers, architects and relevant authorities can meet and get a better understanding of their common interests. They will find prospective partners to enhance and extend their businesses – it all promises to be a networking extravaganza”.
Chantrea L. Tra, the Sales and Marketing Manger for Whale Group, said the exhibitions will also have a major impact on local and foreign economies with increased spending predicted for local hotels, restaurants and transport. Overall, the profile of the city will be raised in the eyes of the world.
The Sales and Marketing Manager said that the exhibitions are a focus point for investment and will attract a broad cross-section of representatives from national and international real estate companies, trade associations and the media.
He continued that it is an opportunity to present the latest developments in the world of real estate to customers in a relaxed yet businesslike environment.
Around 40,000 local and foreign visitors will attend the Real Estate Expo 2008, according to the company’s estimates. The exhibition will make an early start at eight in the morning and continue until 9 pm. Entry is free for all.
Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce said his government is in full agreement with the aims of the Whale Group’s Real Estate Exposition because the exhibition will be able to help in promoting investment in Cambodia.
The Minister pointed out that as a prime investment target in South East Asia, Cambodia has many advantages including a mature agricultural industry, a developing agro-industrial sector, a functional processing industry, a wealth of tourist attractions, as well as mineral wealth.
“Cambodian competitive advantages include favorable conditions in terms of land, weather, natural resources, low-cost and a hard working labor force, historical heritage and beautiful scenery,” the Minister told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone.
According to a report of the Ministry of Commerce, there is strong demand for commercial, residential and hotel construction; this has been the case since 2005 and remains the case today.
Cambodia will host Her first Real Estate Exposition over two days from 21st to 23rd November 2008. Ly Sok, Chairman of the Whale Group, a company that organizes events such as these said the expo would take place in Phnom Penh.
Sok, a business leader, strategist and entrepreneur, with experience in marketing and logistics, said the Whale Group will be supported by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations.
The Chairman said that about 30 national and international companies form Korea, Malaysia and Singapore will take part in the exposition. Local exhibitors include Grand Phnom Penh International City, CamKO City, and Koh Pich, 7NG, IFC, Golden Tower 42, De Cassetle, Pharos Mekong, and Phnom Penh City Towers, 43 Apartment Developers and a further 9 Borey Developers in Cambodia.
“The Exposition which is a brand owned by Whale Event Management, is a new event that responds to the demand of real estate development,” he said. “It will become an annual exhibition, bringing together city developers, investors, governments, architects, designers, professionals and consumers involved in the real estate industry in Cambodia.”
“It is a new and relevant response to current property development trends in Cambodia,” said the Chairman when speaking to the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview. He added, “It really is a “must see” event for all involved in the real estate industry.”
He continued, “The main objective of the Real Estate Expo 2008 is to encourage and support growth in the residential and property markets nationwide. It is a place where leading developers, architects and relevant authorities can meet and get a better understanding of their common interests. They will find prospective partners to enhance and extend their businesses – it all promises to be a networking extravaganza”.
Chantrea L. Tra, the Sales and Marketing Manger for Whale Group, said the exhibitions will also have a major impact on local and foreign economies with increased spending predicted for local hotels, restaurants and transport. Overall, the profile of the city will be raised in the eyes of the world.
The Sales and Marketing Manager said that the exhibitions are a focus point for investment and will attract a broad cross-section of representatives from national and international real estate companies, trade associations and the media.
He continued that it is an opportunity to present the latest developments in the world of real estate to customers in a relaxed yet businesslike environment.
Around 40,000 local and foreign visitors will attend the Real Estate Expo 2008, according to the company’s estimates. The exhibition will make an early start at eight in the morning and continue until 9 pm. Entry is free for all.
Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce said his government is in full agreement with the aims of the Whale Group’s Real Estate Exposition because the exhibition will be able to help in promoting investment in Cambodia.
The Minister pointed out that as a prime investment target in South East Asia, Cambodia has many advantages including a mature agricultural industry, a developing agro-industrial sector, a functional processing industry, a wealth of tourist attractions, as well as mineral wealth.
“Cambodian competitive advantages include favorable conditions in terms of land, weather, natural resources, low-cost and a hard working labor force, historical heritage and beautiful scenery,” the Minister told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone.
According to a report of the Ministry of Commerce, there is strong demand for commercial, residential and hotel construction; this has been the case since 2005 and remains the case today.
Cambodia Requests Inclusion of More Temples on World Heritage List
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
The Royal Government of Cambodia has made a request to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, to include more temples and examples of traditional dances in the list of World Heritage Properties. Their inclusion will preserve these temples and other cultural artifacts for generations to come, said Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA).
The Minister said that his government recently requested UNESCO to insert Banteay Chhmar and Sambor Prey Kub temples in the list of World Heritage Properties, as well as Khmer traditional dances like Lakhaon Polsrey, Lakhaon Kol, Cheang Torng (Goldsmith) and Chapei Dangveng. These ancient expressions of Khmer culture encapsulate the pride, dignity and persistence of Cambodia and are thus worthy of inclusion in the list.
“We have asked UNESCO personnel to include the two Cambodian temples, traditional forms of theatre and dances in the Cultural Heritage List as we are certain that Humanity will agree these properties are worthy subjects to be preserved and protected against time,” the Minister told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on November 3.
The Minister continued, “We want people around the world to know that temples and a vast range of fine Khmer culture continue to exist in the Kingdom of Cambodia. If they wish to see these priceless temples, then Cambodia will welcome all such visitors with open arms.”
Som Sokun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that Cambodian culture is known and respected across the globe and stands as an archetype for cultural expression in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia can boast numberless landmarks and an admirable repertoire of intangible cultural heritage in the form of dance, music and theatre. This art is set amidst some of Nature’s most spectacular scenery – all of which contrives to make Cambodia one of Southeast Asia’s richest repositories of delight, he said.
To date, the Cambodian government has been successful in getting five of the Nation’s prioritized traditional dances and temple sites included on the world heritage list, according to Sokun. He said that UNESCO has already included Royal Ballet, Sbeik Thom, Tonle Sap Lake, Angkor Wat and its compound areas, and Preah Vihear Temple in the list.
To achieve more representation, Sokun said his Ministry had recently submitted a proposal through the Cambodian National Committee, which works in amicable partnership with UNESCO, to include the Prasat Banteay Chhmar and Prasat Prey Kub, as well as Lakhaon Khoal, Chapei Dang Veng and Cheang Torng.
“We believe with all our hearts in the necessity of inclusion for these classical Khmer dances and the temples in the list. We then can then take appropriate measures to ensure the conservation of these properties for generations to come,” he said.
The Secretary of State said that his ministry has been working hard to train new students, teachers and researchers to appreciate the vitality of Cambodia’s past, as expressed in outstanding works of art. They will then be capable of communicating this appreciation to scholars of Khmer culture across the world.
He said his ministry is now collaborating with involved ministries, institutions and other partners in Cambodia to build a library of documents to classify and describe the full range of surviving Khmer cultures and traditions.
Meas Sarun, Technical Secretary General of MoCFA, said that according to report, there were up to 4,500 traditional dances and 256 different styles of music in Cambodia. He also said that because of the turbulent past, 102 traditional dances and 31 theatrical styles were now lost forever. Of the remainder the Ministry had managed to codify and preserve 72 traditional dances and 27 traditional theatre styles and these were now enjoying a renaissance in Cambodia.
He added that to date, MoCFA, in collaboration with others, was working very hard to research and hopefully find material on those art forms that fell victim to the dark years of the ‘70’s.
Teruo Jinnai, representative of UNESCO in Cambodia, is fully aware of the value and extent of Cambodian culture, and believes the nation is one of the richest in terms of artistic wealth in the entire region.
Jinnai recently said at the opening session of a Workshop on the Basics of Royal Ballet, held at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, that Royal Ballet is considered to be a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. The dance style gained this reputation on November 7, 2003, whilst Sbeik Thom was included in the list on 25 May 2005.
“From this point on, Cambodians assumed supreme proprietorship over these Masterpieces, but they became the possessions of the whole world. Being involved in this process was a pure pleasure and I will remember those days as the most exciting of my time here in Cambodia,” he said. “It is a pleasure to see that recently many Cambodians are coming to cultural events, and enjoying music, films and performing arts. We are ready to support the MoCFA in further efforts to promote public awareness of Cambodian intangible heritage. We can turn these performances into annual events, both for the provinces and urban areas.”
He continued, “We are happily committed to continue to work with masters, artists, and the Ministry to safeguard, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Cambodia.”
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The Royal Government of Cambodia has made a request to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, to include more temples and examples of traditional dances in the list of World Heritage Properties. Their inclusion will preserve these temples and other cultural artifacts for generations to come, said Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA).
The Minister said that his government recently requested UNESCO to insert Banteay Chhmar and Sambor Prey Kub temples in the list of World Heritage Properties, as well as Khmer traditional dances like Lakhaon Polsrey, Lakhaon Kol, Cheang Torng (Goldsmith) and Chapei Dangveng. These ancient expressions of Khmer culture encapsulate the pride, dignity and persistence of Cambodia and are thus worthy of inclusion in the list.
“We have asked UNESCO personnel to include the two Cambodian temples, traditional forms of theatre and dances in the Cultural Heritage List as we are certain that Humanity will agree these properties are worthy subjects to be preserved and protected against time,” the Minister told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on November 3.
The Minister continued, “We want people around the world to know that temples and a vast range of fine Khmer culture continue to exist in the Kingdom of Cambodia. If they wish to see these priceless temples, then Cambodia will welcome all such visitors with open arms.”
Som Sokun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that Cambodian culture is known and respected across the globe and stands as an archetype for cultural expression in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia can boast numberless landmarks and an admirable repertoire of intangible cultural heritage in the form of dance, music and theatre. This art is set amidst some of Nature’s most spectacular scenery – all of which contrives to make Cambodia one of Southeast Asia’s richest repositories of delight, he said.
To date, the Cambodian government has been successful in getting five of the Nation’s prioritized traditional dances and temple sites included on the world heritage list, according to Sokun. He said that UNESCO has already included Royal Ballet, Sbeik Thom, Tonle Sap Lake, Angkor Wat and its compound areas, and Preah Vihear Temple in the list.
To achieve more representation, Sokun said his Ministry had recently submitted a proposal through the Cambodian National Committee, which works in amicable partnership with UNESCO, to include the Prasat Banteay Chhmar and Prasat Prey Kub, as well as Lakhaon Khoal, Chapei Dang Veng and Cheang Torng.
“We believe with all our hearts in the necessity of inclusion for these classical Khmer dances and the temples in the list. We then can then take appropriate measures to ensure the conservation of these properties for generations to come,” he said.
The Secretary of State said that his ministry has been working hard to train new students, teachers and researchers to appreciate the vitality of Cambodia’s past, as expressed in outstanding works of art. They will then be capable of communicating this appreciation to scholars of Khmer culture across the world.
He said his ministry is now collaborating with involved ministries, institutions and other partners in Cambodia to build a library of documents to classify and describe the full range of surviving Khmer cultures and traditions.
Meas Sarun, Technical Secretary General of MoCFA, said that according to report, there were up to 4,500 traditional dances and 256 different styles of music in Cambodia. He also said that because of the turbulent past, 102 traditional dances and 31 theatrical styles were now lost forever. Of the remainder the Ministry had managed to codify and preserve 72 traditional dances and 27 traditional theatre styles and these were now enjoying a renaissance in Cambodia.
He added that to date, MoCFA, in collaboration with others, was working very hard to research and hopefully find material on those art forms that fell victim to the dark years of the ‘70’s.
Teruo Jinnai, representative of UNESCO in Cambodia, is fully aware of the value and extent of Cambodian culture, and believes the nation is one of the richest in terms of artistic wealth in the entire region.
Jinnai recently said at the opening session of a Workshop on the Basics of Royal Ballet, held at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, that Royal Ballet is considered to be a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. The dance style gained this reputation on November 7, 2003, whilst Sbeik Thom was included in the list on 25 May 2005.
“From this point on, Cambodians assumed supreme proprietorship over these Masterpieces, but they became the possessions of the whole world. Being involved in this process was a pure pleasure and I will remember those days as the most exciting of my time here in Cambodia,” he said. “It is a pleasure to see that recently many Cambodians are coming to cultural events, and enjoying music, films and performing arts. We are ready to support the MoCFA in further efforts to promote public awareness of Cambodian intangible heritage. We can turn these performances into annual events, both for the provinces and urban areas.”
He continued, “We are happily committed to continue to work with masters, artists, and the Ministry to safeguard, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Cambodia.”
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Saturday, November 8, 2008
Cambodia and Thailand Prepare for Border Talks on November 10-12
BY SOY SOPHEA AND REAKSMEY KONG KEA
The next round of border talks will be conducted over two days in Siem Reap province, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He said the meeting later in the week will hopefully produce a fruitful outcome as these are the intentions of the Cambodian delegates, headed by the optimistic Under Secretary of State and it is to be assumed, of his Thai counterparts.
The boundary negotiators from the both sides have fixed a two-day period for the meeting in Siem Reap, November 10 - 11 with a Foreign Ministerial meeting to be held on November 12 in Siem Reap in a bid to end a months-long military standoff, according to Koy Kuong.
Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of National Defense, said that he is now holding a meeting with all members of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes (NCRBD) at the Ministry of National Defense in Phnom Penh.
“The meeting has been called to discuss technical aspects and solutions in detail among NCRBD members, prior to leaving for Siem Reap and the Cambodia-Thai Border Talks,” he told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on November 7.
Shortly after a round of talks failed last month, troops from the two countries clashed in a border firefight on October 15 on disputed land near Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear temple, at Veal Intry.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his counterpart Somchai Wongsawat recently discussed the border issue and agreed in principle to a conceptual solution to the issue during bilateral talks that took place quietly on the sidelines of a 43-nation Asian-European submit in China’s capital, Beijing.
Two rounds of emergency talks after the October clashes made little progress, with both sides only agreeing not to fire on each other again, thus maintaining an uneasy truce.
The most recent tensions began in July when the 11th Century Preah Vihear was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over ownership of the surrounding land.
The next round of border talks will be conducted over two days in Siem Reap province, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He said the meeting later in the week will hopefully produce a fruitful outcome as these are the intentions of the Cambodian delegates, headed by the optimistic Under Secretary of State and it is to be assumed, of his Thai counterparts.
The boundary negotiators from the both sides have fixed a two-day period for the meeting in Siem Reap, November 10 - 11 with a Foreign Ministerial meeting to be held on November 12 in Siem Reap in a bid to end a months-long military standoff, according to Koy Kuong.
Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of National Defense, said that he is now holding a meeting with all members of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes (NCRBD) at the Ministry of National Defense in Phnom Penh.
“The meeting has been called to discuss technical aspects and solutions in detail among NCRBD members, prior to leaving for Siem Reap and the Cambodia-Thai Border Talks,” he told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on November 7.
Shortly after a round of talks failed last month, troops from the two countries clashed in a border firefight on October 15 on disputed land near Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear temple, at Veal Intry.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his counterpart Somchai Wongsawat recently discussed the border issue and agreed in principle to a conceptual solution to the issue during bilateral talks that took place quietly on the sidelines of a 43-nation Asian-European submit in China’s capital, Beijing.
Two rounds of emergency talks after the October clashes made little progress, with both sides only agreeing not to fire on each other again, thus maintaining an uneasy truce.
The most recent tensions began in July when the 11th Century Preah Vihear was awarded United Nations World Heritage status, rekindling a long-running disagreement over ownership of the surrounding land.
Malaysia-Cambodian Healthcare Business Opportunities held in Phnom Penh
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
A seminar on Malaysia-Cambodian Healthcare Business Opportunities has been conducted at the Intercontinental Hotel, in Phnom Penh, on November 6, 2008.
The event included an Exhibition, the opportunity to hold one-on-one Individual Business Meetings with Malaysian companies and Healthcare Talks on Neurology and Cardiology by speakers from Malaysia.
Mohamad Kamarudin Hassan, Deputy Chief Officer of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), said that the event was jointly organized by MATRADE and the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Further support was provided by the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM).
Kamarudin Hassan said that about 15 delegates including Malaysian government officials, APHM delegates, healthcare professionals and a range of other health service providers attended the seminar.
He said, “It is the first time that MATRADE has organized this important event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The main objective of the Malaysian mission is to explore business opportunities and areas for collaboration between Malaysia and Cambodian companies in the healthcare and related services sector as well as medical products and devices.”
He continued, “We hope to establish useful business contacts and network with local importers, healthcare service providers, medical practitioners, insurance companies, tour operators, banks, multinational companies and government agencies and associations related to the health sector. We will also strengthen the existing business linkages between Malaysia and Cambodia,” he added.
Thea Kruy, Undersecretary of Sate in Ministry of Health, welcomed the Malaysia-Cambodian Healthcare Business Opportunities Forum to Phnom Penh. He said that the forum would bring new healthcare services and advanced medical care from Malaysia in order to enhance the quality of healthcare services and medical treatment in Cambodia.
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A seminar on Malaysia-Cambodian Healthcare Business Opportunities has been conducted at the Intercontinental Hotel, in Phnom Penh, on November 6, 2008.
The event included an Exhibition, the opportunity to hold one-on-one Individual Business Meetings with Malaysian companies and Healthcare Talks on Neurology and Cardiology by speakers from Malaysia.
Mohamad Kamarudin Hassan, Deputy Chief Officer of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), said that the event was jointly organized by MATRADE and the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Further support was provided by the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM).
Kamarudin Hassan said that about 15 delegates including Malaysian government officials, APHM delegates, healthcare professionals and a range of other health service providers attended the seminar.
He said, “It is the first time that MATRADE has organized this important event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The main objective of the Malaysian mission is to explore business opportunities and areas for collaboration between Malaysia and Cambodian companies in the healthcare and related services sector as well as medical products and devices.”
He continued, “We hope to establish useful business contacts and network with local importers, healthcare service providers, medical practitioners, insurance companies, tour operators, banks, multinational companies and government agencies and associations related to the health sector. We will also strengthen the existing business linkages between Malaysia and Cambodia,” he added.
Thea Kruy, Undersecretary of Sate in Ministry of Health, welcomed the Malaysia-Cambodian Healthcare Business Opportunities Forum to Phnom Penh. He said that the forum would bring new healthcare services and advanced medical care from Malaysia in order to enhance the quality of healthcare services and medical treatment in Cambodia.
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Top Music Show 2008 being held in Phnom Penh
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Reaksmey Hang Meas Video, a private company in Cambodia has planned to host a musical extravaganza, a one day celebration of Cambodia’s musical talent to be held under the banner of Reaksmey Hang Meas Top Music Show 2008”. The event has been scheduled for November 9 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Oeng Sokly, Events Director of Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company, said that this will be the second celebration, following the success of last year’s event held at the Chenla Theater in Phnom Penh. That event drew in a 20,000 strong audience and organizers hope to attract a similar number this year.
“The Top Music 2008 will be a celebratory event in honor of the 55th Anniversary of National Independence Day, which is always an important date in any Cambodian’s calendar,” he said. “We also hope to energize the tourism sector and improve the ability and skills of the singers and musicians. This will be an international event and we know that the artistes are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
The Events Director continued that the Top Music Show 2008” was organized by Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company in cooperation with the Hello 015, 016 Company, the Malaysian Tourism Council and the Anchor Beer Company in Cambodia.
About 10 well-known and popular singers in Cambodia will be presented at the Top Music Show, including Mr. Preap Sowath, Mr. Sampoun Midada, Mr. Nob Payarith, Chhorn Sovannareach, Ms. Pich Sophea and Ms. Ork Sokunkahna amongst others.
According to plan, Top Music will not be available on live TV, but the whole of the concert will be recorded, with VCDs and DVDs available for sale to an international market at a later date.
The Events Director said that to date, at least 10,000 people had bought tickets for the show, which will start at 6:00PM and go on until midnight on November 9, 2008 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
He said that the tickets range from 20,000 riel ($5) to 30,000 riel ($7.3) per person and are available at his Company office and its branches in Phnom Penh.
Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company was established in 1993, and now has branch offices in 23 cities and provinces throughout the country, according to Sokly. He said that his company is a leader in the world of professional media post production, covering professional filmmaking, advertising spots, and Karaoke productions for the Cambodian market.
So far, the company has produced a thousand volumes of VCDs and DVDs, covering classical dance, folk dance, music shows and karaoke hits. He said the company has also produced a film and will continue to produce more films and concerts in future.
Reaksmey Hang Meas Video, a private company in Cambodia has planned to host a musical extravaganza, a one day celebration of Cambodia’s musical talent to be held under the banner of Reaksmey Hang Meas Top Music Show 2008”. The event has been scheduled for November 9 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Oeng Sokly, Events Director of Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company, said that this will be the second celebration, following the success of last year’s event held at the Chenla Theater in Phnom Penh. That event drew in a 20,000 strong audience and organizers hope to attract a similar number this year.
“The Top Music 2008 will be a celebratory event in honor of the 55th Anniversary of National Independence Day, which is always an important date in any Cambodian’s calendar,” he said. “We also hope to energize the tourism sector and improve the ability and skills of the singers and musicians. This will be an international event and we know that the artistes are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
The Events Director continued that the Top Music Show 2008” was organized by Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company in cooperation with the Hello 015, 016 Company, the Malaysian Tourism Council and the Anchor Beer Company in Cambodia.
About 10 well-known and popular singers in Cambodia will be presented at the Top Music Show, including Mr. Preap Sowath, Mr. Sampoun Midada, Mr. Nob Payarith, Chhorn Sovannareach, Ms. Pich Sophea and Ms. Ork Sokunkahna amongst others.
According to plan, Top Music will not be available on live TV, but the whole of the concert will be recorded, with VCDs and DVDs available for sale to an international market at a later date.
The Events Director said that to date, at least 10,000 people had bought tickets for the show, which will start at 6:00PM and go on until midnight on November 9, 2008 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
He said that the tickets range from 20,000 riel ($5) to 30,000 riel ($7.3) per person and are available at his Company office and its branches in Phnom Penh.
Reaksmey Hang Meas Video Company was established in 1993, and now has branch offices in 23 cities and provinces throughout the country, according to Sokly. He said that his company is a leader in the world of professional media post production, covering professional filmmaking, advertising spots, and Karaoke productions for the Cambodian market.
So far, the company has produced a thousand volumes of VCDs and DVDs, covering classical dance, folk dance, music shows and karaoke hits. He said the company has also produced a film and will continue to produce more films and concerts in future.
Cambodia Selects National Archers for International Competition
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
The Cambodian Archery Federation has conducted a National Archery Competition in preparation for international competition. All told, there were 109 toxophilites, including 15 female competitors from eight of the nation’s Archery clubs and other associations in Phnom Penh.
The competition was scheduled to run over five days from 3-7 November at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. It was organized by the Cambodian Archery Federation (CAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Kong Diep, Deputy Secretary General of CAF, said that this is the 9th competition to be held this year and the goal is to select the most steady-handed, steely-eyed archer to go forward and represent the nation in international competition. Quite apart from this, the crowd of informed and enthusiastic spectators thrilled to the sight of Cambodian athletes as they combined strength in exploiting the flexibility of the bow with an understanding of the aerodynamics of the straight arrow, to produce accuracy.
He said the main purpose of the competition was to select outstanding archers from across the country for entry into Cambodia’s further National Championships this Year. He added that the objective of competitions is to select the new Cambodian archers and prepare them to compete at the SEA Games in 2009, which will be held in Vientiane, Laos.
Such a high-profile competition will also help to promote the noble art of Archery. As readers of the “Rajamanak” or “Ream Ker Story” will remember, Cambodia has a long and rich tradition in archery and this competition also aims to preserve interest in the sport, he said.
The competition is divided into two categories; the first category is for male competitors who will compete over ranges of 30, 50 and 60 meters. The second category is for female competitors who will test their accuracy over 30 and 50 meter ranges.
He continued that the archers who fill the first places will receive gold medals, along with other valuable prizes, with silver and bronze awards for the brave runners-up. The prizes have been provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, generous as ever in supporting and developing the nation’s contenders.
Diep said the CAF will send the names of the gold medalists forward to attend international competition in the SEA games to be held in Laos, next year. He also noted that these competitors will be supported by MoEYS throughout the course of their training.
He said that those who win the gold, silver and bronze medals would be supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for their livings and trainings at National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh in preparation for future international competitions.
Uy Kea, Technical Archery Coach and Executive Member of CAF, said that his Federation was established in 1999 by Khieu Kanarith, Minister of Information. He said the CAF’s objectives aimed at developing and promoting Cambodian Archery in preparation for future international competitions.
Since 2000, the federation has recruited and trained 16 champions for entry into National Championships in Cambodia, Kea told the Cambodia Weekly during a personal interview on November 5.
“I have observed from year to year, Cambodian archery has developed and our archers have improved with increased exposure to competition,” he said. “I hope that through these competitions and hard training, Cambodian archers will gain more experience and become competitors to be feared and respected by all-comers at international level.”
Em Vany, 34 and an enthusiastic archer from the Thou Sar Association in Phnom Penh, said that it marked the first time for her to attend competition in Phnom Penh. She said that she had been attracted to the sport for as long as she could remember and she was lucky to have the opportunity to train with her friends since 2007. She said that she had been training hard and was focused on bringing home a medal for the honor of her club and family.
“I am completely focused because this is my only wish. It is a graceful, elegant and in my opinion, a lady-like sport involving skill, strength and the archer’s ability to view the arrow as an extension of the self. I have found friendship with like-minded ladies at the club and I would recommend it to anyone.”
She continued “The act of loosing off an arrow appears to be a matter of little thought. However, I find it a meditative art, similar to the process involved in making a big decision. One marshals one’s strength, bending it towards making intelligent use of the tools at hand and calculating the likely trajectory of the intention. Then, there is a moment of release, when the power of concentration is transformed in an instant into the awful power of a potentially lethal projectile in flight,” she said.
Vann Tina, 22, another archer from the Kann Meanchey Club in Phnom Penh, said that he had blooded himself in five competitions to date.
“I am delighted to be invited to attend the archery competitions again this year. This is the fifth time I have fought for the honour of my Club in these competitions. I won a gold medal last year and now I hope to win again; I’m confident of doing so, given my experience,” he said.
He continued that he used to win gold medals in National Archery Competitions in Phnom Penh over the last four years. He added that he also attended competitions in Thailand and Vietnam but he had found success elusive in these competitions.
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The Cambodian Archery Federation has conducted a National Archery Competition in preparation for international competition. All told, there were 109 toxophilites, including 15 female competitors from eight of the nation’s Archery clubs and other associations in Phnom Penh.
The competition was scheduled to run over five days from 3-7 November at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. It was organized by the Cambodian Archery Federation (CAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Kong Diep, Deputy Secretary General of CAF, said that this is the 9th competition to be held this year and the goal is to select the most steady-handed, steely-eyed archer to go forward and represent the nation in international competition. Quite apart from this, the crowd of informed and enthusiastic spectators thrilled to the sight of Cambodian athletes as they combined strength in exploiting the flexibility of the bow with an understanding of the aerodynamics of the straight arrow, to produce accuracy.
He said the main purpose of the competition was to select outstanding archers from across the country for entry into Cambodia’s further National Championships this Year. He added that the objective of competitions is to select the new Cambodian archers and prepare them to compete at the SEA Games in 2009, which will be held in Vientiane, Laos.
Such a high-profile competition will also help to promote the noble art of Archery. As readers of the “Rajamanak” or “Ream Ker Story” will remember, Cambodia has a long and rich tradition in archery and this competition also aims to preserve interest in the sport, he said.
The competition is divided into two categories; the first category is for male competitors who will compete over ranges of 30, 50 and 60 meters. The second category is for female competitors who will test their accuracy over 30 and 50 meter ranges.
He continued that the archers who fill the first places will receive gold medals, along with other valuable prizes, with silver and bronze awards for the brave runners-up. The prizes have been provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, generous as ever in supporting and developing the nation’s contenders.
Diep said the CAF will send the names of the gold medalists forward to attend international competition in the SEA games to be held in Laos, next year. He also noted that these competitors will be supported by MoEYS throughout the course of their training.
He said that those who win the gold, silver and bronze medals would be supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for their livings and trainings at National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh in preparation for future international competitions.
Uy Kea, Technical Archery Coach and Executive Member of CAF, said that his Federation was established in 1999 by Khieu Kanarith, Minister of Information. He said the CAF’s objectives aimed at developing and promoting Cambodian Archery in preparation for future international competitions.
Since 2000, the federation has recruited and trained 16 champions for entry into National Championships in Cambodia, Kea told the Cambodia Weekly during a personal interview on November 5.
“I have observed from year to year, Cambodian archery has developed and our archers have improved with increased exposure to competition,” he said. “I hope that through these competitions and hard training, Cambodian archers will gain more experience and become competitors to be feared and respected by all-comers at international level.”
Em Vany, 34 and an enthusiastic archer from the Thou Sar Association in Phnom Penh, said that it marked the first time for her to attend competition in Phnom Penh. She said that she had been attracted to the sport for as long as she could remember and she was lucky to have the opportunity to train with her friends since 2007. She said that she had been training hard and was focused on bringing home a medal for the honor of her club and family.
“I am completely focused because this is my only wish. It is a graceful, elegant and in my opinion, a lady-like sport involving skill, strength and the archer’s ability to view the arrow as an extension of the self. I have found friendship with like-minded ladies at the club and I would recommend it to anyone.”
She continued “The act of loosing off an arrow appears to be a matter of little thought. However, I find it a meditative art, similar to the process involved in making a big decision. One marshals one’s strength, bending it towards making intelligent use of the tools at hand and calculating the likely trajectory of the intention. Then, there is a moment of release, when the power of concentration is transformed in an instant into the awful power of a potentially lethal projectile in flight,” she said.
Vann Tina, 22, another archer from the Kann Meanchey Club in Phnom Penh, said that he had blooded himself in five competitions to date.
“I am delighted to be invited to attend the archery competitions again this year. This is the fifth time I have fought for the honour of my Club in these competitions. I won a gold medal last year and now I hope to win again; I’m confident of doing so, given my experience,” he said.
He continued that he used to win gold medals in National Archery Competitions in Phnom Penh over the last four years. He added that he also attended competitions in Thailand and Vietnam but he had found success elusive in these competitions.
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Cambodia-UNESCO Examine Preah Vihear Temple
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has examined the status of the Preah Vihear temple in a tour of the area that took place on November 7. They inspected damage caused by grenades during clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops, said Phay Siphan, Secretary of State at the Council of Ministers.
The Secretary of State said the move followed claims made by the Cambodian National Committee, in partnership with UNESCO officials that the statuary and staircase of the 11th century monument had been damaged by Thai grenades during clashes.
Siphan said that UNESCO will attempt to get a clear idea of the facts and to take action to prevent further damage in future. He said the damage had been caused by Thai rockets launched during the clashes on October 15.
“We will not press for financial recompense from the Thais because Preah Vihear temple is now World Heritage Property. But we want Thailand, who is also a member of UNESCO to cooperate with all parties to protect the priceless temple,” he said.
In order to create a protected zone around the World Heritage site, three signs that announce the site’s World Heritage status, under the protection of UNESCO and the international community have been posted. The precedent for these measures was set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1953, said Siphan. He added that the new signs will demarcate the newly created protection zone to deter any future conflict in the area.
"We hope that after the World Heritage signs are posted at the Preah Vihear Temple, there will be no further shooting on the temple or in the protection zone,"
Hang Soth, Director General of Preah Vihear Authority, said he sent a report about the shooting to UNESCO on October 17. The report also included a request for protection of the temple. He noted that the temples dignity has been outraged with the addition of over 100 pockmarks where bullets and rocket rounds impacted the venerable site.
Teruo Jinnai, Representative of UNSECO in Cambodia, told the Cambodia Weekly that to preserve and protect Preah Vihear temple against damage in future, the Cambodian government should prepare a master plan detailing the temple project and send this document to UNESCO’s office in Cambodia. This will then be sent on for further consideration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where it will be reviewed prior to approval and financial support.
He said that UNESCO has funded many projects for the Cambodian government, such as repairing Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Prasat Banteay Srey and Traprumh temples in Siem Reap province.
According to Cambodian historical documents, Preah Vihear Temple is situated at the Cambodian-Thai border, atop the 625 meter-high Preah Vihear Mountain in Svay Chhrum village, Kantuot commune, Choam Ksan district. This is 108 kilometers north of Tbaeng Meanchey, the capital of Preah Vihear province. The temple is 800 meters long and 400 meters wide.
The temple is one of the most striking to have been built during the 600-year-long Khmer empire. It was mainly built over a 100-150 year period during the reigns of kings Suryavarman (1002-1050) and Suryavarman II (1113-1150). Its main architectural features are Khmer in origin but signs of earlier influences, particularly the Bantery Srei style are noticeable in the earlier buildings.
The Preah Vihear temple includes some superb carved friezes; one is of particular interest as it shows King Suryavarman II going about his devotions and presenting gifts of white parasols, gold bowls and elephants to his spiritual leader. This carved frieze is just one example of the outstanding carvings to be found at the temple.
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has examined the status of the Preah Vihear temple in a tour of the area that took place on November 7. They inspected damage caused by grenades during clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops, said Phay Siphan, Secretary of State at the Council of Ministers.
The Secretary of State said the move followed claims made by the Cambodian National Committee, in partnership with UNESCO officials that the statuary and staircase of the 11th century monument had been damaged by Thai grenades during clashes.
Siphan said that UNESCO will attempt to get a clear idea of the facts and to take action to prevent further damage in future. He said the damage had been caused by Thai rockets launched during the clashes on October 15.
“We will not press for financial recompense from the Thais because Preah Vihear temple is now World Heritage Property. But we want Thailand, who is also a member of UNESCO to cooperate with all parties to protect the priceless temple,” he said.
In order to create a protected zone around the World Heritage site, three signs that announce the site’s World Heritage status, under the protection of UNESCO and the international community have been posted. The precedent for these measures was set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1953, said Siphan. He added that the new signs will demarcate the newly created protection zone to deter any future conflict in the area.
"We hope that after the World Heritage signs are posted at the Preah Vihear Temple, there will be no further shooting on the temple or in the protection zone,"
Hang Soth, Director General of Preah Vihear Authority, said he sent a report about the shooting to UNESCO on October 17. The report also included a request for protection of the temple. He noted that the temples dignity has been outraged with the addition of over 100 pockmarks where bullets and rocket rounds impacted the venerable site.
Teruo Jinnai, Representative of UNSECO in Cambodia, told the Cambodia Weekly that to preserve and protect Preah Vihear temple against damage in future, the Cambodian government should prepare a master plan detailing the temple project and send this document to UNESCO’s office in Cambodia. This will then be sent on for further consideration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where it will be reviewed prior to approval and financial support.
He said that UNESCO has funded many projects for the Cambodian government, such as repairing Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Prasat Banteay Srey and Traprumh temples in Siem Reap province.
According to Cambodian historical documents, Preah Vihear Temple is situated at the Cambodian-Thai border, atop the 625 meter-high Preah Vihear Mountain in Svay Chhrum village, Kantuot commune, Choam Ksan district. This is 108 kilometers north of Tbaeng Meanchey, the capital of Preah Vihear province. The temple is 800 meters long and 400 meters wide.
The temple is one of the most striking to have been built during the 600-year-long Khmer empire. It was mainly built over a 100-150 year period during the reigns of kings Suryavarman (1002-1050) and Suryavarman II (1113-1150). Its main architectural features are Khmer in origin but signs of earlier influences, particularly the Bantery Srei style are noticeable in the earlier buildings.
The Preah Vihear temple includes some superb carved friezes; one is of particular interest as it shows King Suryavarman II going about his devotions and presenting gifts of white parasols, gold bowls and elephants to his spiritual leader. This carved frieze is just one example of the outstanding carvings to be found at the temple.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Cambodia Needs More Lawyers
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodia faces a shortage of lawyers with the qualifications and experience necessary to uphold the Rule of Law, according to Ang Vong Wathana, Minister of Justice.
The Minister told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 27 that his ministry will continue to cooperate closely with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia to train new lawyers to respond to the needs of people in Cambodia.
Due to progress, human resource development and increasing foreign investment, Cambodia currently needs more than 1,000 qualified lawyers, if the entire population is to have access to impartial justice, said the Minister.
Ky Tech, President of the Cambodian Bar Association, agreed with these figures, and the necessity to redress the imbalance.
Ky Tech, who has been practicing the law since 1998, has served the Cambodian Bar Association as President over two mandates. He said that currently there are 616 lawyers operating in Cambodia.
“Looking at Cambodian population statistics, the current number of lawyers is insufficient to meet the needs of our country. We are short of about 1,000 lawyers.” he said. He went on to say that the number of lawyers would probably suffice, given that currently recourse to the law is not seen as an effective way to settle disputes. However, this situation would change as development and investment assumed greater importance.
He also noted that each new generation of lawyers would conform to international standards in terms of training and qualification.
“Now, our Cambodian lawyers are stepping ahead and reaching international standards. They are very skillful, talented and can offer the same services as those of developed nations,” he told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on October 28.
The President added, “I hope that they will perform their duties well to help the people and to strengthen the ‘Rule of Law’ in the Kingdom of Cambodia.”
Ang Eng Thong, Director of the Center for Legal Training and Professional Development said that since the establishment of the center in 2002, 280 lawyers have been trained, including 100 female lawyers. The Director said that for this study year, a total of 34 lawyers have graduated and will apply for further study with the establishment.
To enhance the qualifications of Cambodian lawyers, the lawyer center has invited visiting professors well-known in the United Sates, Canada, France and Japan for teaching said Eng Thong. He noted that the majority of the law courses were conducted in English so as to improve not only their legal knowledge but also their language abilities. His graduates are now working and serving as high officials in ministries, the National Assembly and the Senate of Cambodia.
Other lawyers have also found employment as law consultants for Non-Government Organization (NGOs), International Organizations (IOs), local and international companies in the Kingdom of Cambodia, according to Eng Thong.
Peung Yokheap, Executive Director of Legal Aid Cambodia (LAC), a local NGO established in 1995 that works to defend human rights, said that Cambodia really needs more lawyers to help the poorer sectors of the community.
“I have noted that most lawyers prefer to work with private companies in Phnom Penh and other developing areas because they can make good money for their families. Thus, we lack lawyers to help those who can’t afford legal fees,” she said.
Yokheap continued, “I think that to help disadvantaged people, the Bar Association should train more Cambodian lawyers to help them in future.”
She said that currently, LAC is working in ten provinces across the country, and has employed a total of 33 lawyers.
Khuon Son Muchhim, Attorney-At-Law with the Khmer Law Office & Associates, said he has been working as lawyer since 2002, working on more than 18 cases involving civil and criminal issues.
He said that most of his clients were business people, representatives from national and international NGOs who hire him to examine contractual issues or real estate documents to check and verify their legality.
“I think that the law is good work for me. It is busy work but I like it because I can earn more income for my family,” he told the Cambodia Weekly. He hinted that he could earn around $1,500 to $ 2,000 per month from his legal consultancy and services.
Cambodia faces a shortage of lawyers with the qualifications and experience necessary to uphold the Rule of Law, according to Ang Vong Wathana, Minister of Justice.
The Minister told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 27 that his ministry will continue to cooperate closely with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia to train new lawyers to respond to the needs of people in Cambodia.
Due to progress, human resource development and increasing foreign investment, Cambodia currently needs more than 1,000 qualified lawyers, if the entire population is to have access to impartial justice, said the Minister.
Ky Tech, President of the Cambodian Bar Association, agreed with these figures, and the necessity to redress the imbalance.
Ky Tech, who has been practicing the law since 1998, has served the Cambodian Bar Association as President over two mandates. He said that currently there are 616 lawyers operating in Cambodia.
“Looking at Cambodian population statistics, the current number of lawyers is insufficient to meet the needs of our country. We are short of about 1,000 lawyers.” he said. He went on to say that the number of lawyers would probably suffice, given that currently recourse to the law is not seen as an effective way to settle disputes. However, this situation would change as development and investment assumed greater importance.
He also noted that each new generation of lawyers would conform to international standards in terms of training and qualification.
“Now, our Cambodian lawyers are stepping ahead and reaching international standards. They are very skillful, talented and can offer the same services as those of developed nations,” he told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on October 28.
The President added, “I hope that they will perform their duties well to help the people and to strengthen the ‘Rule of Law’ in the Kingdom of Cambodia.”
Ang Eng Thong, Director of the Center for Legal Training and Professional Development said that since the establishment of the center in 2002, 280 lawyers have been trained, including 100 female lawyers. The Director said that for this study year, a total of 34 lawyers have graduated and will apply for further study with the establishment.
To enhance the qualifications of Cambodian lawyers, the lawyer center has invited visiting professors well-known in the United Sates, Canada, France and Japan for teaching said Eng Thong. He noted that the majority of the law courses were conducted in English so as to improve not only their legal knowledge but also their language abilities. His graduates are now working and serving as high officials in ministries, the National Assembly and the Senate of Cambodia.
Other lawyers have also found employment as law consultants for Non-Government Organization (NGOs), International Organizations (IOs), local and international companies in the Kingdom of Cambodia, according to Eng Thong.
Peung Yokheap, Executive Director of Legal Aid Cambodia (LAC), a local NGO established in 1995 that works to defend human rights, said that Cambodia really needs more lawyers to help the poorer sectors of the community.
“I have noted that most lawyers prefer to work with private companies in Phnom Penh and other developing areas because they can make good money for their families. Thus, we lack lawyers to help those who can’t afford legal fees,” she said.
Yokheap continued, “I think that to help disadvantaged people, the Bar Association should train more Cambodian lawyers to help them in future.”
She said that currently, LAC is working in ten provinces across the country, and has employed a total of 33 lawyers.
Khuon Son Muchhim, Attorney-At-Law with the Khmer Law Office & Associates, said he has been working as lawyer since 2002, working on more than 18 cases involving civil and criminal issues.
He said that most of his clients were business people, representatives from national and international NGOs who hire him to examine contractual issues or real estate documents to check and verify their legality.
“I think that the law is good work for me. It is busy work but I like it because I can earn more income for my family,” he told the Cambodia Weekly. He hinted that he could earn around $1,500 to $ 2,000 per month from his legal consultancy and services.
Cambodia Thailand Plan Border Talks for November 10
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodian and Thai officials will conduct another meeting to discuss the border conflict in order to avoid armed confrontation, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Kuong said the five-day official meeting would be arranged for 10-14 November. The Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation of the Land Boundary will continue to discuss measures to resolve the dispute.
“The meeting will be arranged by the Thai side, and will be held in Thailand,” Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 30. He continued, “I think that it marks a new phase of negotiations that will discuss solutions to both immediate and long-term problems. I hope that the upcoming meeting in Thailand will provide a positive result for both countries.”
Kuong said that for the Cambodian side, the meeting would be led by His Excellency Var Kimhong, Chairman of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes in the Council of Ministers.
Phay Siphan, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, as it demonstrated commitment to solve the border issue between the two sides.
“We welcome the official participation of the Thai side in the upcoming meeting. Our Cambodian side has made no changes to the position as indicated by the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2000.”
He said that the meeting would focus on a border survey and demarcation based on the 2000 MoU and set up a temporary coordination working group to consider the disputed border areas. He added that the results of the assessment would be forwarded to a session of the Joint Border Commission.
Siphan said relations between Cambodia and Thailand had experienced difficulties since July when Preah Vihear was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
He said that several rounds of bilateral talks between the two countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. He added that the military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied Keo Sikha Kirisvara pagoda located near the Preah Vihear temple, in Preah Vihear Province.
The Chairman said that the border talks would be based on the convention created between Siam and France in 1907 and on Siamese and Cambodian-held Indochina maps. He added that on October 29, Thai lawmakers had approved negotiations over the disputed borders at the root of the military standoff.
Approval of negotiations will pave the way for the next meeting, scheduled for November 10 between the two countries, said Kimhong.
Cambodian and Thai officials will conduct another meeting to discuss the border conflict in order to avoid armed confrontation, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Kuong said the five-day official meeting would be arranged for 10-14 November. The Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation of the Land Boundary will continue to discuss measures to resolve the dispute.
“The meeting will be arranged by the Thai side, and will be held in Thailand,” Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 30. He continued, “I think that it marks a new phase of negotiations that will discuss solutions to both immediate and long-term problems. I hope that the upcoming meeting in Thailand will provide a positive result for both countries.”
Kuong said that for the Cambodian side, the meeting would be led by His Excellency Var Kimhong, Chairman of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes in the Council of Ministers.
Phay Siphan, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, as it demonstrated commitment to solve the border issue between the two sides.
“We welcome the official participation of the Thai side in the upcoming meeting. Our Cambodian side has made no changes to the position as indicated by the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2000.”
He said that the meeting would focus on a border survey and demarcation based on the 2000 MoU and set up a temporary coordination working group to consider the disputed border areas. He added that the results of the assessment would be forwarded to a session of the Joint Border Commission.
Siphan said relations between Cambodia and Thailand had experienced difficulties since July when Preah Vihear was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
He said that several rounds of bilateral talks between the two countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. He added that the military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied Keo Sikha Kirisvara pagoda located near the Preah Vihear temple, in Preah Vihear Province.
The Chairman said that the border talks would be based on the convention created between Siam and France in 1907 and on Siamese and Cambodian-held Indochina maps. He added that on October 29, Thai lawmakers had approved negotiations over the disputed borders at the root of the military standoff.
Approval of negotiations will pave the way for the next meeting, scheduled for November 10 between the two countries, said Kimhong.
Cambodia Thailand Plan Border Talks for November 10
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodian and Thai officials will conduct another meeting to discuss the border conflict in order to avoid armed confrontation, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Kuong said the five-day official meeting would be arranged for 10-14 November. The Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation of the Land Boundary will continue to discuss measures to resolve the dispute.
“The meeting will be arranged by the Thai side, and will be held in Thailand,” Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 30. He continued, “I think that it marks a new phase of negotiations that will discuss solutions to both immediate and long-term problems. I hope that the upcoming meeting in Thailand will provide a positive result for both countries.”
Kuong said that for the Cambodian side, the meeting would be led by His Excellency Var Kimhong, Chairman of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes in the Council of Ministers.
Phay Siphan, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, as it demonstrated commitment to solve the border issue between the two sides.
“We welcome the official participation of the Thai side in the upcoming meeting. Our Cambodian side has made no changes to the position as indicated by the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2000.”
He said that the meeting would focus on a border survey and demarcation based on the 2000 MoU and set up a temporary coordination working group to consider the disputed border areas. He added that the results of the assessment would be forwarded to a session of the Joint Border Commission.
Siphan said relations between Cambodia and Thailand had experienced difficulties since July when Preah Vihear was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
He said that several rounds of bilateral talks between the two countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. He added that the military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied Keo Sikha Kirisvara pagoda located near the Preah Vihear temple, in Preah Vihear Province.
The Chairman said that the border talks would be based on the convention created between Siam and France in 1907 and on Siamese and Cambodian-held Indochina maps. He added that on October 29, Thai lawmakers had approved negotiations over the disputed borders at the root of the military standoff.
Approval of negotiations will pave the way for the next meeting, scheduled for November 10 between the two countries, said Kimhong.
Cambodian and Thai officials will conduct another meeting to discuss the border conflict in order to avoid armed confrontation, according to Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Kuong said the five-day official meeting would be arranged for 10-14 November. The Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation of the Land Boundary will continue to discuss measures to resolve the dispute.
“The meeting will be arranged by the Thai side, and will be held in Thailand,” Kuong told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 30. He continued, “I think that it marks a new phase of negotiations that will discuss solutions to both immediate and long-term problems. I hope that the upcoming meeting in Thailand will provide a positive result for both countries.”
Kuong said that for the Cambodian side, the meeting would be led by His Excellency Var Kimhong, Chairman of the National Committee for the Resolution of Border Disputes in the Council of Ministers.
Phay Siphan, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Council of Ministers, welcomed the go-ahead, as it demonstrated commitment to solve the border issue between the two sides.
“We welcome the official participation of the Thai side in the upcoming meeting. Our Cambodian side has made no changes to the position as indicated by the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2000.”
He said that the meeting would focus on a border survey and demarcation based on the 2000 MoU and set up a temporary coordination working group to consider the disputed border areas. He added that the results of the assessment would be forwarded to a session of the Joint Border Commission.
Siphan said relations between Cambodia and Thailand had experienced difficulties since July when Preah Vihear was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
He said that several rounds of bilateral talks between the two countries have failed to bring a full withdrawal of troops from their positions on the border. He added that the military standoff began July 15, when Thai troops occupied Keo Sikha Kirisvara pagoda located near the Preah Vihear temple, in Preah Vihear Province.
The Chairman said that the border talks would be based on the convention created between Siam and France in 1907 and on Siamese and Cambodian-held Indochina maps. He added that on October 29, Thai lawmakers had approved negotiations over the disputed borders at the root of the military standoff.
Approval of negotiations will pave the way for the next meeting, scheduled for November 10 between the two countries, said Kimhong.
The NED Conference being held in Phnom Penh
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Over 200 researchers, professors, lecturers and students from 10 universities and institutes in Cambodia have attended the National Education Development Conference (NED Conference) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh II.
The Conference was organized by the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and was jointly supported by the Council of Ministers of Cambodia and UNESCO in Cambodia.
Dr. Sorn Samnang, President of RAC, said that this marks the third occasion that RAC has organized this important conference in Cambodia.
Dr. Samnang said that the main purpose of the NED Conference was to gather Cambodian researchers, lecturers, professors and students together to discuss issues related to the quality of basic education and the development of a sustainable education policy for Cambodia.
The NED Conference is organized to coordinate the establishment of networks, relations and to discuss changes and reintegration among partners. The Conference will also examine ways to meet development goals through the improvement of teaching and basic education, according to Samnang.
The President emphasized that according to research for conducted earlier this year, higher education remains an engine for economic development, nation–building, human capital development and individual advancement.
He said that the governments in many countries are funding public university systems while encouraging the development of private higher education establishments to meet growing demand.
Neak Sary, a Researcher, said that to promote “Sustainable Education Development” in Cambodia, there must be four areas of focus - social development, environmental development, cultural development and economic development.
He continued that to ensure sustainable development in higher education, they also have to focus on improvement of overall quality, improvement of research facilities, and establishing University-Industry Collaboration and Partnership programs with the private sector.
“I think that now Cambodia has sufficient human resource capital to develop the country,” he said. “We are well on the way to building a sustainable society.”
Teruo Jinnai, UNESCO representative in Cambodia, said that UNESCO has been designed as a lead agency for the promotion of education. In this role, UNESCO is responsible for coordinating the efforts of governments and educators to integrate sustainable development into educational systems at all levels, both formal and informal.
He said that UNESCO is also responsible for developing partnerships with the private sector, civil society organizations and the media to promote sustainable development for the widest possible audience.
“The vision of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) encompasses a world where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from education and learn the values, behaviors, and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation,” he said.
He continued, “As this vision guides us in pursuing our goals, we are reminded of the vastness of the task ahead of us. Therefore, it is essential that we recognize the interrelation of human needs and protection for the natural environment. Our aims are not completely new although they have only recently been endorsed. We are building on the continuous efforts of decades past, with a view to creating a brighter future.”
He said, “We are delighted that Cambodia has moved towards building a sustainable society. However, we are also aware of the challenges ahead. We expect that with the establishment of the National Education for Sustainable Development (NESD) Steering committee, the vision and mission will become ever clearer in their inclusiveness.
Im Sethy, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), gave his full support to the NED conference.
The Minister said that MoEYS’s had been moving towards building a sustainable education development policy. He added that the conference would help the ministry further these intentions.
On 24th October 2008, the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC), a wing of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport evaluated 76 of Cambodia’s 104 higher education centers. Three of these failed to make the grade.
Over 200 researchers, professors, lecturers and students from 10 universities and institutes in Cambodia have attended the National Education Development Conference (NED Conference) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh II.
The Conference was organized by the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and was jointly supported by the Council of Ministers of Cambodia and UNESCO in Cambodia.
Dr. Sorn Samnang, President of RAC, said that this marks the third occasion that RAC has organized this important conference in Cambodia.
Dr. Samnang said that the main purpose of the NED Conference was to gather Cambodian researchers, lecturers, professors and students together to discuss issues related to the quality of basic education and the development of a sustainable education policy for Cambodia.
The NED Conference is organized to coordinate the establishment of networks, relations and to discuss changes and reintegration among partners. The Conference will also examine ways to meet development goals through the improvement of teaching and basic education, according to Samnang.
The President emphasized that according to research for conducted earlier this year, higher education remains an engine for economic development, nation–building, human capital development and individual advancement.
He said that the governments in many countries are funding public university systems while encouraging the development of private higher education establishments to meet growing demand.
Neak Sary, a Researcher, said that to promote “Sustainable Education Development” in Cambodia, there must be four areas of focus - social development, environmental development, cultural development and economic development.
He continued that to ensure sustainable development in higher education, they also have to focus on improvement of overall quality, improvement of research facilities, and establishing University-Industry Collaboration and Partnership programs with the private sector.
“I think that now Cambodia has sufficient human resource capital to develop the country,” he said. “We are well on the way to building a sustainable society.”
Teruo Jinnai, UNESCO representative in Cambodia, said that UNESCO has been designed as a lead agency for the promotion of education. In this role, UNESCO is responsible for coordinating the efforts of governments and educators to integrate sustainable development into educational systems at all levels, both formal and informal.
He said that UNESCO is also responsible for developing partnerships with the private sector, civil society organizations and the media to promote sustainable development for the widest possible audience.
“The vision of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) encompasses a world where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from education and learn the values, behaviors, and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation,” he said.
He continued, “As this vision guides us in pursuing our goals, we are reminded of the vastness of the task ahead of us. Therefore, it is essential that we recognize the interrelation of human needs and protection for the natural environment. Our aims are not completely new although they have only recently been endorsed. We are building on the continuous efforts of decades past, with a view to creating a brighter future.”
He said, “We are delighted that Cambodia has moved towards building a sustainable society. However, we are also aware of the challenges ahead. We expect that with the establishment of the National Education for Sustainable Development (NESD) Steering committee, the vision and mission will become ever clearer in their inclusiveness.
Im Sethy, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), gave his full support to the NED conference.
The Minister said that MoEYS’s had been moving towards building a sustainable education development policy. He added that the conference would help the ministry further these intentions.
On 24th October 2008, the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC), a wing of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport evaluated 76 of Cambodia’s 104 higher education centers. Three of these failed to make the grade.
Cambodia Selects Traditional Fighters in Preparation for International Competition
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
278 traditional boxers (this martial art is also known as “Boxkator”) including 15 female boxers from 11 of the nation’s Boxkator boxing clubs and associations have attended the Worldwide National Boxkator Competitions. These fights were held over five days- 27th to 31st October 2008 - at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh and were organized by the Cambodian Boxkator Federation (CBF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Hok Chheang Kim, Secretary General of CBF noted that this year’s competitions mark the third opportunity for the best of Cambodia’s fighters to demonstrate their prowess before an audience of informed enthusiasts.
Chheang Kim said the main purpose of the competition was to select outstanding Boxkator fighters from across the country for entry into Cambodia’s National Championships in the Year.
According to Chheang Kim, at interview with the Cambodia weekly October 28, such a high visibility competition will also help promote the noble art of “Boxkator” as a sport suitable for all and preserve it for future generations of prize-fighting Cambodians.
He said that there are a total of 18 subjects upon which to judge the performance of a fighter. These fall under two general headings, the first dealing with the fighter’s technical ability, the second giving points for displays of style and grace in combat. Those fighters who fill the first places will receive gold medals, along with other value prizes, with silver and bronze awards for the brave runners-up. The prizes have been generously provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
Sean Kimsan, President of CBF, said that there are more than 20 Boxkator clubs across the cities and provinces of Cambodia. He also noted that this year, some Boxkator associations located in remote provinces could not send fighters to represent them due to lack of funds.
Kimsan said his Federation will examine ways to solve the problems by bringing in support from private companies or donor people for next year’s competitions.
“I have observed that traditional boxing has developed and our boxers have also improved,” Sean Kimsan continued. “I hope that through these competitions, Cambodian boxers will gain more fighting experience and can compete with other boxers at the SEA Games boxing competitions in future. In this way, we can be sure of a bright future for Khmer traditional sports for the next generation.”
Om Tharorth, 18, a female fighter from the Orussey Boxkator Club in Phnom Penh, said that she was happy and excited to attend this year’s competitions as these will mark her entry into a public fight arena. Her look of steely-eyed determination suggests she is well prepared to take on all challengers.
“I hope that with my hard training I will win a golden medal for my club,” she said. “I have beaten my opponents in the last three days of competition and now I am waiting for the final gold medal bout.”
Yong Rathana, 28, a fighter from Hang Meas Boxkator Association in Kandal province, said that he had put himself in the line of fire in previous competitions. He has been learning the art for the past two years and has the experience of 15 previous bouts to back him up.
“This is the second time I have fought for the honour of my Association in these competitions. Last year, I won a bronze medal and this year I strongly believe that with my experience, I’m on course for a gold medal. I’m looking forward to taking the spoils of “Boxkator” war back home to Kandal. From there, it would be the greatest honour for me to represent my country in international competition.” he said.
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278 traditional boxers (this martial art is also known as “Boxkator”) including 15 female boxers from 11 of the nation’s Boxkator boxing clubs and associations have attended the Worldwide National Boxkator Competitions. These fights were held over five days- 27th to 31st October 2008 - at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh and were organized by the Cambodian Boxkator Federation (CBF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Hok Chheang Kim, Secretary General of CBF noted that this year’s competitions mark the third opportunity for the best of Cambodia’s fighters to demonstrate their prowess before an audience of informed enthusiasts.
Chheang Kim said the main purpose of the competition was to select outstanding Boxkator fighters from across the country for entry into Cambodia’s National Championships in the Year.
According to Chheang Kim, at interview with the Cambodia weekly October 28, such a high visibility competition will also help promote the noble art of “Boxkator” as a sport suitable for all and preserve it for future generations of prize-fighting Cambodians.
He said that there are a total of 18 subjects upon which to judge the performance of a fighter. These fall under two general headings, the first dealing with the fighter’s technical ability, the second giving points for displays of style and grace in combat. Those fighters who fill the first places will receive gold medals, along with other value prizes, with silver and bronze awards for the brave runners-up. The prizes have been generously provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
Sean Kimsan, President of CBF, said that there are more than 20 Boxkator clubs across the cities and provinces of Cambodia. He also noted that this year, some Boxkator associations located in remote provinces could not send fighters to represent them due to lack of funds.
Kimsan said his Federation will examine ways to solve the problems by bringing in support from private companies or donor people for next year’s competitions.
“I have observed that traditional boxing has developed and our boxers have also improved,” Sean Kimsan continued. “I hope that through these competitions, Cambodian boxers will gain more fighting experience and can compete with other boxers at the SEA Games boxing competitions in future. In this way, we can be sure of a bright future for Khmer traditional sports for the next generation.”
Om Tharorth, 18, a female fighter from the Orussey Boxkator Club in Phnom Penh, said that she was happy and excited to attend this year’s competitions as these will mark her entry into a public fight arena. Her look of steely-eyed determination suggests she is well prepared to take on all challengers.
“I hope that with my hard training I will win a golden medal for my club,” she said. “I have beaten my opponents in the last three days of competition and now I am waiting for the final gold medal bout.”
Yong Rathana, 28, a fighter from Hang Meas Boxkator Association in Kandal province, said that he had put himself in the line of fire in previous competitions. He has been learning the art for the past two years and has the experience of 15 previous bouts to back him up.
“This is the second time I have fought for the honour of my Association in these competitions. Last year, I won a bronze medal and this year I strongly believe that with my experience, I’m on course for a gold medal. I’m looking forward to taking the spoils of “Boxkator” war back home to Kandal. From there, it would be the greatest honour for me to represent my country in international competition.” he said.
///
Friday, October 24, 2008
Villagers Return to Their Homes following Cambodia-Thai clashes
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodians living on the nation’s border with Thailand have started to return to their homes following clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops at the Veal Intry area near the Preah Vihear temple. This is the current situation according to Keo Sen, Governor of O’Chroeu district, Banteay Meanchey province.
The Governor said that approximately 80 percent of the region’s inhabitants have returned to Poipet commune and have resumed normal working duties at Rong Khloeu market in Ahranh Patheat district, Sras Keo province, just over the border in Thailand.
Keo Sen said that a number of Thai nationals had also been seen entering Cambodia to entertain themselves at a casino on the Cambodian side of the International Poipet checkpoint. He also revealed that approximately 70 percent of Thai visitors enter Cambodia to gamble at this casino.
The situation is now responding to calming influences, but the soldiers on each side remain on full alert and preparedness, according to one star general, Pen Voy, commander of 42 Company, a unit of the RCAF deployed around Phnom Dang Rek in Preah Vihear province.
“The situation for the 42nd and 43rd companies based around the Phnom Troap area, remains tense and we have the Thai forces continually in our sights,” the Commander said on October 22. “Our patrols are not penetrating too far into the disputed territory as we don’t want the Thais to misinterpret our activities.”
The Commander Pen Voy said that Thai soldiers and police had so far made no efforts to withdraw to the old boundaries and that Thai numbers had been increasing by around ten men-at-arms per day since October 20.
Remarkably, on October 16, a day after the fatal clashes, the Thai side occupying Region 2, asked for an urgent round of talks with the Cambodian military officials in Region 4. This meeting took place at the Red House (Phtas Krahoam), where they agreed to keep their armed forces within each station and if either side had business in the contested zones, they were to inform the opposition in advance.
The Commander reiterated that the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated clearly that Cambodia has no designs whatsoever on neighboring land, but was firm in his decision that no Cambodian territory be ceded to Thailand.
Paved Road to Preah Vihear Temple
Kheng Someath, Director of the Working Group, said that the construction of a properly paved road continues despite the clashes of October 15th. He said that the construction crews lost half a day’s work during the exchange of gunfire at Veal Intry, as workers naturally sought shelter from the bullets.
The Director told generals, Kun Kim, Chief of Staff of the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces and his Deputy Meas Sophea, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces that so far, over one-and-a half kilometers of road have been completed.
He said that the Royal Government of Cambodia requires the road to be over three-and-a-half kilometers long and seven meters wide. The budget for this project will be covered by US$1.6 million, supplied by the Bayon Foundation and collected by Hun Mana, General Director of Bayon TV-Radio station.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Kun Kim expressed his admiration for the patriotism of all construction workers who put themselves in harm’s way for their country following Samdech Hun Sen’s appeal. He also praised the workers for their ability to integrate their mighty efforts with those of the forces sent to protect Cambodia’s integrity.
Cambodians living on the nation’s border with Thailand have started to return to their homes following clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops at the Veal Intry area near the Preah Vihear temple. This is the current situation according to Keo Sen, Governor of O’Chroeu district, Banteay Meanchey province.
The Governor said that approximately 80 percent of the region’s inhabitants have returned to Poipet commune and have resumed normal working duties at Rong Khloeu market in Ahranh Patheat district, Sras Keo province, just over the border in Thailand.
Keo Sen said that a number of Thai nationals had also been seen entering Cambodia to entertain themselves at a casino on the Cambodian side of the International Poipet checkpoint. He also revealed that approximately 70 percent of Thai visitors enter Cambodia to gamble at this casino.
The situation is now responding to calming influences, but the soldiers on each side remain on full alert and preparedness, according to one star general, Pen Voy, commander of 42 Company, a unit of the RCAF deployed around Phnom Dang Rek in Preah Vihear province.
“The situation for the 42nd and 43rd companies based around the Phnom Troap area, remains tense and we have the Thai forces continually in our sights,” the Commander said on October 22. “Our patrols are not penetrating too far into the disputed territory as we don’t want the Thais to misinterpret our activities.”
The Commander Pen Voy said that Thai soldiers and police had so far made no efforts to withdraw to the old boundaries and that Thai numbers had been increasing by around ten men-at-arms per day since October 20.
Remarkably, on October 16, a day after the fatal clashes, the Thai side occupying Region 2, asked for an urgent round of talks with the Cambodian military officials in Region 4. This meeting took place at the Red House (Phtas Krahoam), where they agreed to keep their armed forces within each station and if either side had business in the contested zones, they were to inform the opposition in advance.
The Commander reiterated that the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated clearly that Cambodia has no designs whatsoever on neighboring land, but was firm in his decision that no Cambodian territory be ceded to Thailand.
Paved Road to Preah Vihear Temple
Kheng Someath, Director of the Working Group, said that the construction of a properly paved road continues despite the clashes of October 15th. He said that the construction crews lost half a day’s work during the exchange of gunfire at Veal Intry, as workers naturally sought shelter from the bullets.
The Director told generals, Kun Kim, Chief of Staff of the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces and his Deputy Meas Sophea, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces that so far, over one-and-a half kilometers of road have been completed.
He said that the Royal Government of Cambodia requires the road to be over three-and-a-half kilometers long and seven meters wide. The budget for this project will be covered by US$1.6 million, supplied by the Bayon Foundation and collected by Hun Mana, General Director of Bayon TV-Radio station.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Kun Kim expressed his admiration for the patriotism of all construction workers who put themselves in harm’s way for their country following Samdech Hun Sen’s appeal. He also praised the workers for their ability to integrate their mighty efforts with those of the forces sent to protect Cambodia’s integrity.
Many Cambodians Prefer to Have Blood Tests before Marriage
By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
In a sign of the times, many Cambodian brides and grooms-to-be insist their future partners take a health check, including blood tests to identify signs of HIV/AIDS.
Dr.Teng Kunthy, General Secretary of the National AIDS Authority (NAA), said that to his knowledge, every couple about to marry has taken advantage of the Voluntary Confidential Counseling Testing (VCCT) service offered by hospitals or health centers. Dr. Kunthy said this was a responsible reaction to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and illustrated the nation’s concern for personal health and the health of others.
He said, “I really appreciate our citizens who arrive voluntarily for VCCTs at the state hospitals, clinics and health centers prior to their marriages. The victory against HIV/AIDS depends upon the effective broadcast of vital information and the success of VCCTs demonstrates the effectiveness of our government’s policies in this respect.”
Dr. Phuong Viseth, VCCT Officer with the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) at the Ministry of Health, in Phnom Penh, said that numbers using the service had shown gratifying increases every year as news of the important tests spread.
Dr. Viseth said that the reason why they had presented themselves for voluntary testing was because they were all fully aware of their responsibilities, of the various disease vectors into the human system and of the dangers of failing to diagnose the disease.
She told The Cambodia Weekly on October 13, 2008 that according to her information, to date at least 100 people per day (that’s 50 couples secure in the knowledge of a healthy marriage and family) have come for blood checks per day.
This marks a favorable comparison to last year’s figures where only 40 people requested blood tests on any given day.
Dr. Puy Ly, Chief of the VCCT program at Sa-Ang Health Center, Kandal province said that according to her records, between 1995 and 2003, between 30 to 70 percent of people about to be married had presented themselves for VCCT in the district.
Dr. Ly said that those who had not come for a VCCT did not think the tests were necessary in their particular cases; and as the tests are not compulsory, they had decided not to take them.
Dr. Chutema Ping, Clinic Director with the Phnom Penh based Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC) said that recently, the number of people, including those contemplating marriage had increased.
She said that according to a recent RHAC report for 2008, 100,000 Cambodian people have come for HIV/AIDS counseling and blood testing at RHAC centers in districts and provinces across the country.
“I think it is good for Cambodians about to start a new life together to come to the health centers so that they can receive complete peace of mind prior to marriage. This shows that they all concerned to maintain their health and keen to accept responsibility.” she told The Cambodia Weekly by telephone.
Kasem Kolnary, Director of Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC), a local NGO in Phnom Penh, said that 90 percent of all adults living in her organization’s zone were aware of the basic facts concerning HIV/AIDS and its prevention. She was also pleased to report that all young couples had received the tests before marriage. She added that CHEC was established in 2001 and was currently working in five provinces including Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampot, Kandal and Prey Veng provinces.
Yang Sary, 26, a Motor-Taxi Driver in Phnom Penh, said that he and his girlfriend are going to be married in November 30, 2008.
Sary said, “I am very happy to be my fiancé’s intended. I am happier now that she knows my health is good. We have already had blood tests at a health centre in Phnom Penh. We are so pleased that we are clear of all disease. We know that we will live free from HIV/AIDS and in happiness”, he added.
Puth Darith, 43, a businessman living in Samrong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, said that he married in 2003. Darith, now the proud father of two, told the Cambodia Weekly that before his marriage, he and his wife had also taken VCCTs at a health center in Kampong Speu province.
He said that after the first blood test showed no signs of disease, he and his wife had continued to take the tests at a health center in Kampong Speu for the sake of mutual reassurance.
He said, “I think that to form a good married relationship and a happy family life, every one should go to meet the doctors and get their blood tested before marriage.”
According to recent Ministry of Health statistics, there are a total of 140 VCCT sites located in health centers and hospitals in all districts, cities and provinces across the Kingdom of Cambodia.
In a sign of the times, many Cambodian brides and grooms-to-be insist their future partners take a health check, including blood tests to identify signs of HIV/AIDS.
Dr.Teng Kunthy, General Secretary of the National AIDS Authority (NAA), said that to his knowledge, every couple about to marry has taken advantage of the Voluntary Confidential Counseling Testing (VCCT) service offered by hospitals or health centers. Dr. Kunthy said this was a responsible reaction to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and illustrated the nation’s concern for personal health and the health of others.
He said, “I really appreciate our citizens who arrive voluntarily for VCCTs at the state hospitals, clinics and health centers prior to their marriages. The victory against HIV/AIDS depends upon the effective broadcast of vital information and the success of VCCTs demonstrates the effectiveness of our government’s policies in this respect.”
Dr. Phuong Viseth, VCCT Officer with the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) at the Ministry of Health, in Phnom Penh, said that numbers using the service had shown gratifying increases every year as news of the important tests spread.
Dr. Viseth said that the reason why they had presented themselves for voluntary testing was because they were all fully aware of their responsibilities, of the various disease vectors into the human system and of the dangers of failing to diagnose the disease.
She told The Cambodia Weekly on October 13, 2008 that according to her information, to date at least 100 people per day (that’s 50 couples secure in the knowledge of a healthy marriage and family) have come for blood checks per day.
This marks a favorable comparison to last year’s figures where only 40 people requested blood tests on any given day.
Dr. Puy Ly, Chief of the VCCT program at Sa-Ang Health Center, Kandal province said that according to her records, between 1995 and 2003, between 30 to 70 percent of people about to be married had presented themselves for VCCT in the district.
Dr. Ly said that those who had not come for a VCCT did not think the tests were necessary in their particular cases; and as the tests are not compulsory, they had decided not to take them.
Dr. Chutema Ping, Clinic Director with the Phnom Penh based Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC) said that recently, the number of people, including those contemplating marriage had increased.
She said that according to a recent RHAC report for 2008, 100,000 Cambodian people have come for HIV/AIDS counseling and blood testing at RHAC centers in districts and provinces across the country.
“I think it is good for Cambodians about to start a new life together to come to the health centers so that they can receive complete peace of mind prior to marriage. This shows that they all concerned to maintain their health and keen to accept responsibility.” she told The Cambodia Weekly by telephone.
Kasem Kolnary, Director of Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC), a local NGO in Phnom Penh, said that 90 percent of all adults living in her organization’s zone were aware of the basic facts concerning HIV/AIDS and its prevention. She was also pleased to report that all young couples had received the tests before marriage. She added that CHEC was established in 2001 and was currently working in five provinces including Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampot, Kandal and Prey Veng provinces.
Yang Sary, 26, a Motor-Taxi Driver in Phnom Penh, said that he and his girlfriend are going to be married in November 30, 2008.
Sary said, “I am very happy to be my fiancé’s intended. I am happier now that she knows my health is good. We have already had blood tests at a health centre in Phnom Penh. We are so pleased that we are clear of all disease. We know that we will live free from HIV/AIDS and in happiness”, he added.
Puth Darith, 43, a businessman living in Samrong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, said that he married in 2003. Darith, now the proud father of two, told the Cambodia Weekly that before his marriage, he and his wife had also taken VCCTs at a health center in Kampong Speu province.
He said that after the first blood test showed no signs of disease, he and his wife had continued to take the tests at a health center in Kampong Speu for the sake of mutual reassurance.
He said, “I think that to form a good married relationship and a happy family life, every one should go to meet the doctors and get their blood tested before marriage.”
According to recent Ministry of Health statistics, there are a total of 140 VCCT sites located in health centers and hospitals in all districts, cities and provinces across the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Cambodia Prepares Boat Races for this year’s Water Festival
BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
About 450 boats have been prepared for entry into the three-day competition to celebrate the Water Festivals. They will be held on November 11-13, 2008 at the riverside, in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, according to a government official in charge of National and International Festivals Committee.
Chea Kean, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals (NCONIF), said that in 2007, a total of 434 boats participated in the races and 409 boats in 2006.
Kean said, “I noted that the number of crews registering for the Water Festival has increased every year. This is a result of peace, progress and political stability in Cambodia.”
Kean continued, “Every year, the competition aims to select the best boat racers from different provinces across the country to win the title Cambodia’s National Champions for the year. It is also to promote and conserve the boat race which is a traditional event and a reminder of our brave soldiers who used the boats in conflicts of the past.”
“I hope that with these racing events, our boat racers will gain more experience in rowing at international competition level. Finally, we can develop and conserve our traditional culture for future generations,” he said.
He told the Cambodia Weekly on October 23, that this year, the Water Festival would be graced by the presence of Preah Koruna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia.
He said that the Water Festival would also include fireworks, 23 decorative light boats and night time concerts.
He also said that the boat races would be featured live on TVK (Television of Kampuchea) and other private TV channels so that enthusiasts further a-field who cannot make the events in person can catch all the action as it happens.
He said that at least one million Cambodians are expected to crowd the Waterfront to witness the spectacle.
Mann Chhoeun, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh Municipality, said that to attract more foreign tourists to the festival, there were plans to decorate sites of historic interest, as well as organizing other entertainments including traditional theatre, displays of classical dance, music and concerts.
Chhoeun said that the Phnom Penh Municipality would also work with local and international companies to organize trade fairs and other business activities during the Water Festival.
He told The Cambodia Weekly by telephone that the authority would also prepare rubbish bags and toilets for visitors to keep the festival environment clean and hygienic.
“I hope that with these activities, we can attract hundreds of thousands of people, united in their enjoyment of this year’s Water Festival”, he said.
Last year, approximately two million people watched the races and other entertainments organized in Phnom Penh.
Brigadier General Touch Naruth, Phnom Penh Police Commissariat Chief, said that to provide security for spectators during the Water Festival, the Police Commissariat planned to deploy a total of 5,449 armed officers from both the civilian and military police forces.
General Naruth said that the Authority will also prepare a total of three motor launches to rescue crews who may find themselves in difficulties as the races progress.
He pointed out that these forces would be deployed at all important checkpoints and crowded streets in Phnom Penh to help travelers beat traffic jams and avoid other problems.
According to Cambodian documents and history, the Water Festival in Cambodia takes place each year in October or November, at the time of the full moon, and is the most extravagant and exuberant festival in the Khmer calendar, outdoing even the new year celebrations.
The festival marks the changing of the flow of the Tonle Sap River and is also seen as thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land and abundant fish. It is at this time when the river flow reverts to its normal down-stream direction. In a remarkable phenomenon, the Tonle Sap River earlier reverses its course as the rainy season progresses, with the river flowing "upstream" to Tonle Sap Lake. When the rainy season tapers off, the river changes direction once again and the swollen Tonle Sap Lake begins to empty back into the Mekong River. Vast quantities of fish are revealed as a result of this change in flow.
About 450 boats have been prepared for entry into the three-day competition to celebrate the Water Festivals. They will be held on November 11-13, 2008 at the riverside, in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, according to a government official in charge of National and International Festivals Committee.
Chea Kean, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals (NCONIF), said that in 2007, a total of 434 boats participated in the races and 409 boats in 2006.
Kean said, “I noted that the number of crews registering for the Water Festival has increased every year. This is a result of peace, progress and political stability in Cambodia.”
Kean continued, “Every year, the competition aims to select the best boat racers from different provinces across the country to win the title Cambodia’s National Champions for the year. It is also to promote and conserve the boat race which is a traditional event and a reminder of our brave soldiers who used the boats in conflicts of the past.”
“I hope that with these racing events, our boat racers will gain more experience in rowing at international competition level. Finally, we can develop and conserve our traditional culture for future generations,” he said.
He told the Cambodia Weekly on October 23, that this year, the Water Festival would be graced by the presence of Preah Koruna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia.
He said that the Water Festival would also include fireworks, 23 decorative light boats and night time concerts.
He also said that the boat races would be featured live on TVK (Television of Kampuchea) and other private TV channels so that enthusiasts further a-field who cannot make the events in person can catch all the action as it happens.
He said that at least one million Cambodians are expected to crowd the Waterfront to witness the spectacle.
Mann Chhoeun, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh Municipality, said that to attract more foreign tourists to the festival, there were plans to decorate sites of historic interest, as well as organizing other entertainments including traditional theatre, displays of classical dance, music and concerts.
Chhoeun said that the Phnom Penh Municipality would also work with local and international companies to organize trade fairs and other business activities during the Water Festival.
He told The Cambodia Weekly by telephone that the authority would also prepare rubbish bags and toilets for visitors to keep the festival environment clean and hygienic.
“I hope that with these activities, we can attract hundreds of thousands of people, united in their enjoyment of this year’s Water Festival”, he said.
Last year, approximately two million people watched the races and other entertainments organized in Phnom Penh.
Brigadier General Touch Naruth, Phnom Penh Police Commissariat Chief, said that to provide security for spectators during the Water Festival, the Police Commissariat planned to deploy a total of 5,449 armed officers from both the civilian and military police forces.
General Naruth said that the Authority will also prepare a total of three motor launches to rescue crews who may find themselves in difficulties as the races progress.
He pointed out that these forces would be deployed at all important checkpoints and crowded streets in Phnom Penh to help travelers beat traffic jams and avoid other problems.
According to Cambodian documents and history, the Water Festival in Cambodia takes place each year in October or November, at the time of the full moon, and is the most extravagant and exuberant festival in the Khmer calendar, outdoing even the new year celebrations.
The festival marks the changing of the flow of the Tonle Sap River and is also seen as thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land and abundant fish. It is at this time when the river flow reverts to its normal down-stream direction. In a remarkable phenomenon, the Tonle Sap River earlier reverses its course as the rainy season progresses, with the river flowing "upstream" to Tonle Sap Lake. When the rainy season tapers off, the river changes direction once again and the swollen Tonle Sap Lake begins to empty back into the Mekong River. Vast quantities of fish are revealed as a result of this change in flow.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Cambodian Workers Return to Cambodia from Thailand
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Roughly 500 Khmer workers have returned to Cambodia per day following Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent appealed to come back for work in Cambodia. The call was made after the internal crisis in Thailand, according to Som Sam An, Senior Officer in charge of Cambodian-Thai Border Relationships at the International Poipet Checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey Province.
So far, about 3,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand through the Poi Pet Checkpoint during recent weeks, according to the Senior Officer, speaking to the Cambodia Weekly on October 13.
Som Sam An said a further 100 people who worked illegally in Thailand recently also returned to Cambodia through different Cambodian checkpoints.
He said that Cambodian workers returned to their country for work because they were worried about their safety and security since the border conflict between the two countries flared up on July 15, 2008. He added that they returned home in obedience to the Cambodian Prime Minister’s appeal.
Bun Mom, 43, a Khmer worker who had recently returned from Bangkok in Thailand, said that he and his friends had worked for about two years in Thailand.
Mom, a married man living in Svay Rieng province, said that he and his friends decided to return because they were worried about personal safety and security since the internal crisis in Thailand.
“I am happy because my friends and I are safe and working back home in Phnom Penh. I think that we will find work in our country, rather than fleeing to a neighboring country to find work,” he said.
Veng Sao, 36, recently returned from Thailand with his friends last week and he now works with his family in Takeo province as a construction worker. He said that he decided to return to Cambodia because he has concerned about his safety and job security in Thailand.
Sao said that he had stayed as a construction worker for over one year in Thailand and he earned about 15,000 riels (about $3.65) per day. On these wages he was unable to save any money for his family because all his wages were spent on his own daily living costs.
“Now I am looking for work in Phnom Penh to make money for my family,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during a personal interview on October 14.
Oknha Mong Reththy, Director of Mong Reththy Group, said that recently, many local and foreign investors had faced problems with the pool of local laborers as many of them had left Cambodia for work abroad.
“I am happy now that workers are starting to return from Thailand. I think it is better for those people to work in Cambodia and stay with their families inside the country,” the Director told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 14.
He continued, “I think that the returning Cambodian workers will fill the shortage in the labor market in construction, agriculture and the industrial sector in Cambodia.”
He added that every year, his company lacked the input of around 200 workers when collecting palm fruits during the harvesting season.
Seng Phally, Operational Manager with the Cambodia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO), a local agricultural company in Kampong Cham province, said that he also wanted Cambodian people to come back for work in Cambodia.
Phally said that he planned to invest in a cassava and cashew plantation on about 40 hectares of land in Kampong Cham province. However, he said that due to the lack of local labor, he could not get the business to function profitably.
He hopes that with these returns, they will fill the gaps left in the labor market across all economic sectors in Cambodia.
Ly Hamhay, General Director of Hamhay Villas and Construction Company, a leading construction company in Phnom Penh, said that without an additional 500 skilled workers, he would be hard pressed to fulfill the orders of his clients. Hamhay said that today, his company employs a total of 1, 200 people in Phnom Penh and other provinces across the country. He added the basic salary for experienced workers in his company is between 10,000 ($2.50) and 40,000 riels (about $10) per day.
Yan Navuth, Executive Director of the Cambodia Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility (CARAM Cambodia), which is local non-government organization in Phnom Penh, said that he appreciated the arrival of returnees from Thailand.
He said, “I think that it is good for them in return, while political turmoil and border tensions are occurring. I am very happy to see them back home safe and sound.”
He told The Cambodia Weekly that according to a CARAM report, there are about 200,000 Cambodian workers working in Thailand.
He said that most of them had been employed in the construction, farming and fishing sectors of the Thai economy.
Oum Mean, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT), said that his government also appreciated the returnees.
He said that the government has also encouraged all Cambodian people who work illegally in neighboring countries to return for work in their country. This was an echo of a call made last month by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia who said that there was plenty of work in Cambodia for Cambodians to do.
.
He added that the average wage of 10,000 to 20,000 riel was the same as that in Thailand.
According to Um Mean, today there are millions of Cambodian people working with local and foreign companies in Cambodia. 600,000 of the nation’s workforce are employed in the industrial sector. Up to 350 000 are employed in garment factories. 300,000 people work with the tourist sector, with hundreds of thousands of people employed in agro-industrial companies (rubber and oil plantations), transportation and construction. NGO’s are another source of employment for Ca
Roughly 500 Khmer workers have returned to Cambodia per day following Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent appealed to come back for work in Cambodia. The call was made after the internal crisis in Thailand, according to Som Sam An, Senior Officer in charge of Cambodian-Thai Border Relationships at the International Poipet Checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey Province.
So far, about 3,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand through the Poi Pet Checkpoint during recent weeks, according to the Senior Officer, speaking to the Cambodia Weekly on October 13.
Som Sam An said a further 100 people who worked illegally in Thailand recently also returned to Cambodia through different Cambodian checkpoints.
He said that Cambodian workers returned to their country for work because they were worried about their safety and security since the border conflict between the two countries flared up on July 15, 2008. He added that they returned home in obedience to the Cambodian Prime Minister’s appeal.
Bun Mom, 43, a Khmer worker who had recently returned from Bangkok in Thailand, said that he and his friends had worked for about two years in Thailand.
Mom, a married man living in Svay Rieng province, said that he and his friends decided to return because they were worried about personal safety and security since the internal crisis in Thailand.
“I am happy because my friends and I are safe and working back home in Phnom Penh. I think that we will find work in our country, rather than fleeing to a neighboring country to find work,” he said.
Veng Sao, 36, recently returned from Thailand with his friends last week and he now works with his family in Takeo province as a construction worker. He said that he decided to return to Cambodia because he has concerned about his safety and job security in Thailand.
Sao said that he had stayed as a construction worker for over one year in Thailand and he earned about 15,000 riels (about $3.65) per day. On these wages he was unable to save any money for his family because all his wages were spent on his own daily living costs.
“Now I am looking for work in Phnom Penh to make money for my family,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during a personal interview on October 14.
Oknha Mong Reththy, Director of Mong Reththy Group, said that recently, many local and foreign investors had faced problems with the pool of local laborers as many of them had left Cambodia for work abroad.
“I am happy now that workers are starting to return from Thailand. I think it is better for those people to work in Cambodia and stay with their families inside the country,” the Director told the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on October 14.
He continued, “I think that the returning Cambodian workers will fill the shortage in the labor market in construction, agriculture and the industrial sector in Cambodia.”
He added that every year, his company lacked the input of around 200 workers when collecting palm fruits during the harvesting season.
Seng Phally, Operational Manager with the Cambodia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO), a local agricultural company in Kampong Cham province, said that he also wanted Cambodian people to come back for work in Cambodia.
Phally said that he planned to invest in a cassava and cashew plantation on about 40 hectares of land in Kampong Cham province. However, he said that due to the lack of local labor, he could not get the business to function profitably.
He hopes that with these returns, they will fill the gaps left in the labor market across all economic sectors in Cambodia.
Ly Hamhay, General Director of Hamhay Villas and Construction Company, a leading construction company in Phnom Penh, said that without an additional 500 skilled workers, he would be hard pressed to fulfill the orders of his clients. Hamhay said that today, his company employs a total of 1, 200 people in Phnom Penh and other provinces across the country. He added the basic salary for experienced workers in his company is between 10,000 ($2.50) and 40,000 riels (about $10) per day.
Yan Navuth, Executive Director of the Cambodia Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility (CARAM Cambodia), which is local non-government organization in Phnom Penh, said that he appreciated the arrival of returnees from Thailand.
He said, “I think that it is good for them in return, while political turmoil and border tensions are occurring. I am very happy to see them back home safe and sound.”
He told The Cambodia Weekly that according to a CARAM report, there are about 200,000 Cambodian workers working in Thailand.
He said that most of them had been employed in the construction, farming and fishing sectors of the Thai economy.
Oum Mean, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT), said that his government also appreciated the returnees.
He said that the government has also encouraged all Cambodian people who work illegally in neighboring countries to return for work in their country. This was an echo of a call made last month by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia who said that there was plenty of work in Cambodia for Cambodians to do.
.
He added that the average wage of 10,000 to 20,000 riel was the same as that in Thailand.
According to Um Mean, today there are millions of Cambodian people working with local and foreign companies in Cambodia. 600,000 of the nation’s workforce are employed in the industrial sector. Up to 350 000 are employed in garment factories. 300,000 people work with the tourist sector, with hundreds of thousands of people employed in agro-industrial companies (rubber and oil plantations), transportation and construction. NGO’s are another source of employment for Ca
Friday, October 3, 2008
People of Mondulkiri Benefit from Honey Association
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Cambodia’s rich patchwork of minority peoples including Phnong and Steang who live in Mondulkiri province are benefiting from a WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Honey Association Project, according to WWF project officers.
Bas Van Helvoot, program manager for the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia Country Program, said that currently at least 60 Phnong families who collected honey had been receiving benefits from WWF-funded local honey pilot projects in two communes in Mondulkiri province.
Bas Van Helvoot told the Cambodia Weekly that the two Mondulkiri honey projects, supported by funds in the region of US $50,000 included the Krung Raton Honey Group located in Krangties commune, Pichreada district and the Prey Radang Honey Group located in Pu Chrey commune, in Pichreada district.
According to Bas, these two groups are the first to receive funding from the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia Country Program, following its inauguration earlier this year. He said the main purpose of the program is to support minority peoples and perpetuate their harvesting traditions. These traditions are eco-friendly as their low-tech approach respects biodiversity and promotes an intimate relationship and harmony between the wilderness and the communities that nestle in it.
Amy Maling, Community Natural Resource Management Specialist and Community Extension Technical Advisor for the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia region, said the project would focus on the conservation of the Eastern Plains landscape of Cambodia. One of the most effective ways to ensure the preservation of this region’s austere beauty is to ensure the wellbeing of the human inhabitants who know the area best.
“Honey is one of the forest-based resources that have potential for generating income among the Phnong indigenous communities in Mondulkiri,” Amy said. “Honey collecting, when it is done in the right manner, is complementary to the conservation of other natural resources in the landscape.”
“Our project goal is also to keep the last wilderness of Cambodia intact and connected, helping people protect their wildlife and livelihoods simultaneously,” she added.
Amy said that in general the Eastern Plains Landscape Project is working in a geographical area covering 800,000 hectares in Mondulkiri. “We work in 16 villages scattered across this landscape, covering three districts and eight communes. Specifically, for the honey project we are working with two communes including Krangties and Pu Chrey in Pichreada district.”
Sin Tha, a member of the Phnong community and a honey harvester with many years experience in Pichreada district in Mondulkiri province, said that under previous conditions, his group could collect honey only once per year from any given bee’s nest in the forest. Now however, his group is able to collect the sweetest of Mother Nature’s products up to three times per season within a year—from March to May.
Yen Bunthoeun, a honey collector from Steang, said that his 10 strong families were also collecting honey in the forests surrounding Pu Chrey commune in Mondulkiri.
Bunthoeun said that they could collect between 30 to 50 liters per season. This results in daily earnings of around 40,000 riel (about $10) per day from collecting honey.
However, since the Honey Association’s project was introduced to his community, he said more people were aware of the importance of sustainable methods when harvesting honey and the healthy environment that this way of behaving supports.
Amy said that the association’s members were currently mapping the collection areas to establish an inventory that will enable them to have a better overview of the available bee nests in the forest. Importantly, this map of nests will also help define a truly sustainable volume that collectors can harvest without damaging the bee colonies.
In addition, she said the members of the honey collectors groups were approaching the task much more intelligently. For instance, they now wait for the hone combs to mature before harvesting; and then, only the honey-baring part of the comb is harvested, leaving behind the bee larvae to form the next generation of honeybee workers. The forest and its undergrowth are also preserved to allow the bees to benefit from the many wild flowers that thrive there.
To find buyers and markets for the honey, especially that collected by the Honey Enterprise Project, she said the association plans to expand its membership, register the honey product with the Ministry of Commerce and then sell the produce in supermarkets in Phnom Penh and the provinces.
Dr. Kong Bunly, director of Bunly Pharmacies Import and Export Co., Ltd, said that natural, un-Pasteurized honey is a natural antibiotic and therefore beneficial to health. Honey also forms the main ingredient in traditional beauty treatments for both women and men.
Cambodia’s rich patchwork of minority peoples including Phnong and Steang who live in Mondulkiri province are benefiting from a WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Honey Association Project, according to WWF project officers.
Bas Van Helvoot, program manager for the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia Country Program, said that currently at least 60 Phnong families who collected honey had been receiving benefits from WWF-funded local honey pilot projects in two communes in Mondulkiri province.
Bas Van Helvoot told the Cambodia Weekly that the two Mondulkiri honey projects, supported by funds in the region of US $50,000 included the Krung Raton Honey Group located in Krangties commune, Pichreada district and the Prey Radang Honey Group located in Pu Chrey commune, in Pichreada district.
According to Bas, these two groups are the first to receive funding from the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia Country Program, following its inauguration earlier this year. He said the main purpose of the program is to support minority peoples and perpetuate their harvesting traditions. These traditions are eco-friendly as their low-tech approach respects biodiversity and promotes an intimate relationship and harmony between the wilderness and the communities that nestle in it.
Amy Maling, Community Natural Resource Management Specialist and Community Extension Technical Advisor for the WWF Greater Mekong/Cambodia region, said the project would focus on the conservation of the Eastern Plains landscape of Cambodia. One of the most effective ways to ensure the preservation of this region’s austere beauty is to ensure the wellbeing of the human inhabitants who know the area best.
“Honey is one of the forest-based resources that have potential for generating income among the Phnong indigenous communities in Mondulkiri,” Amy said. “Honey collecting, when it is done in the right manner, is complementary to the conservation of other natural resources in the landscape.”
“Our project goal is also to keep the last wilderness of Cambodia intact and connected, helping people protect their wildlife and livelihoods simultaneously,” she added.
Amy said that in general the Eastern Plains Landscape Project is working in a geographical area covering 800,000 hectares in Mondulkiri. “We work in 16 villages scattered across this landscape, covering three districts and eight communes. Specifically, for the honey project we are working with two communes including Krangties and Pu Chrey in Pichreada district.”
Sin Tha, a member of the Phnong community and a honey harvester with many years experience in Pichreada district in Mondulkiri province, said that under previous conditions, his group could collect honey only once per year from any given bee’s nest in the forest. Now however, his group is able to collect the sweetest of Mother Nature’s products up to three times per season within a year—from March to May.
Yen Bunthoeun, a honey collector from Steang, said that his 10 strong families were also collecting honey in the forests surrounding Pu Chrey commune in Mondulkiri.
Bunthoeun said that they could collect between 30 to 50 liters per season. This results in daily earnings of around 40,000 riel (about $10) per day from collecting honey.
However, since the Honey Association’s project was introduced to his community, he said more people were aware of the importance of sustainable methods when harvesting honey and the healthy environment that this way of behaving supports.
Amy said that the association’s members were currently mapping the collection areas to establish an inventory that will enable them to have a better overview of the available bee nests in the forest. Importantly, this map of nests will also help define a truly sustainable volume that collectors can harvest without damaging the bee colonies.
In addition, she said the members of the honey collectors groups were approaching the task much more intelligently. For instance, they now wait for the hone combs to mature before harvesting; and then, only the honey-baring part of the comb is harvested, leaving behind the bee larvae to form the next generation of honeybee workers. The forest and its undergrowth are also preserved to allow the bees to benefit from the many wild flowers that thrive there.
To find buyers and markets for the honey, especially that collected by the Honey Enterprise Project, she said the association plans to expand its membership, register the honey product with the Ministry of Commerce and then sell the produce in supermarkets in Phnom Penh and the provinces.
Dr. Kong Bunly, director of Bunly Pharmacies Import and Export Co., Ltd, said that natural, un-Pasteurized honey is a natural antibiotic and therefore beneficial to health. Honey also forms the main ingredient in traditional beauty treatments for both women and men.
Cambodia’s First Rattan Conservation Project
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Rattan is one of the most important natural resources for Cambodian people and in Kompot province, the plant is now under the protection of Save Cambodia’s Wildlife (SCW), according to Tep Boonny, executive director of SCW.
“This marks the first phase of the rattan reservation project,” Boonny said. “The main objective of the project is to preserve the rattan as a natural resource. Unfortunately the rattan is now under threat, and we must encourage a return to sustainable use of rattans. This is a vital process and we hope that by preserving the plant, we will also be supporting the occupations of many local artisans in their provinces in Cambodia.”
He observed that, “…until today, no viable man-made alternative to rattan exists that is as cheap, as versatile or as useful to our farmers and workers out in the provinces. In the cities, we are used to seeing rattan in the form of furniture, but the uses to which our farmers put the plant are limited only by their ingenuity and imagination.”
“However, due to unrestrained exploitation of the rattan plant, it is now under heavy threat. Within the next decade, if this behavior is not moderated, Cambodia could face a future without this adaptable plant. So, we are going to try and preserve the rattan’s natural range and replant these areas with the crop; and we plan to do so with the help of the Government and appropriate ministries,” he added.
The project was established by SCW in 2007 and receives funds from the WWF. Boonny said that the project covers 2006 hectares of forest lands in Prek Thnoat commune, Kampot district in Kampot province. It has received recognition by the Kampot provincial authority and the Ministry of Environment.
He said, “I hope that with this rattan project, we can preserve the rattan plant in a manner that also promotes its continued use well into the future. For those whose livelihoods depend on rattan, we are all looking forward to helping them improve their standard of living.”
Boonny told the Cambodia Weekly that according to a SCW report, the fortunes of about 100 local families are directly tied to the first phase of the rattan project, with a further 500 families receiving indirect benefits. Furthermore, to ensure the permanence of these benefits, the project in Kampot province will continue for the next five to seven years. He said that so far, his organization has been working very hard in training people in the “Sustainable Use and Replanting of Rattan”, as well as tending thousands of rattan seedlings to repopulate the SCW project site.
According to the SCW master plan, the next rattan project will occur in Thmar Bung district in Koh Kong province, following the successful completion of the Kampot province project.
Chhoeng Soviriya, the SCW project officer based in Kampot province, said that most of the personnel involved in the growing project based around the Prek Thnoat Communes are farmers and fishermen. Their livelihoods depend on their harvesting the plant from the forests and mountain tops. This is then sold to local middlemen who then sell it on to dealers in the larger urban centers. This activity puts an extra 20, 000 riel (about US $5) into the pockets of the Kampot province harvesters per month, in addition to the money they earn from fishing or farming.
Soviriya continued, “Since the introduction of the rattan project in Kampot province, people can see the necessity for conservation as they can see the link between this and their livelihoods. Before our intervention, they sold the unprocessed rattan that they had collected directly to merchants at a relatively low price. With help and coordination from SCW and WWF, they have been introduced to a wider more lucrative market for their goods. They are also more confident in turning their harvests into furniture for sale in the larger towns and cities across the country.”
Kong Sao, 47, a farmer in Prek Kreng village, Prek Thnoat commune, Kampot province, said that he and his friends had been involved in the collection of rattan for the last decade, bringing in between 20,000 to 50,000 riel every fortnight
Yang Seth, 40, another farmer living in Kampot district, Kampot province, said that his income was greatly enhanced by collecting raw rattan. He said, “It is my second source of income and I can make up to 15 000 riel each month to support my family and children.”
Ek Sopheak, chief of the information office at the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that the ministry appreciated the work of SCW and its efforts to preserve the rattan range in Kampot province. According to him, the rattan’s range is limited to Kampot, Koh Kong, Pursat, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces.
He continued, “I think that the rattan project is a big help to the Ministry of Agriculture. The rattan is a very important and supremely useful natural resource. Their activities are also a great source of help to the farmers whose lives depend on these versatile plants.”
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Rattan is one of the most important natural resources for Cambodian people and in Kompot province, the plant is now under the protection of Save Cambodia’s Wildlife (SCW), according to Tep Boonny, executive director of SCW.
“This marks the first phase of the rattan reservation project,” Boonny said. “The main objective of the project is to preserve the rattan as a natural resource. Unfortunately the rattan is now under threat, and we must encourage a return to sustainable use of rattans. This is a vital process and we hope that by preserving the plant, we will also be supporting the occupations of many local artisans in their provinces in Cambodia.”
He observed that, “…until today, no viable man-made alternative to rattan exists that is as cheap, as versatile or as useful to our farmers and workers out in the provinces. In the cities, we are used to seeing rattan in the form of furniture, but the uses to which our farmers put the plant are limited only by their ingenuity and imagination.”
“However, due to unrestrained exploitation of the rattan plant, it is now under heavy threat. Within the next decade, if this behavior is not moderated, Cambodia could face a future without this adaptable plant. So, we are going to try and preserve the rattan’s natural range and replant these areas with the crop; and we plan to do so with the help of the Government and appropriate ministries,” he added.
The project was established by SCW in 2007 and receives funds from the WWF. Boonny said that the project covers 2006 hectares of forest lands in Prek Thnoat commune, Kampot district in Kampot province. It has received recognition by the Kampot provincial authority and the Ministry of Environment.
He said, “I hope that with this rattan project, we can preserve the rattan plant in a manner that also promotes its continued use well into the future. For those whose livelihoods depend on rattan, we are all looking forward to helping them improve their standard of living.”
Boonny told the Cambodia Weekly that according to a SCW report, the fortunes of about 100 local families are directly tied to the first phase of the rattan project, with a further 500 families receiving indirect benefits. Furthermore, to ensure the permanence of these benefits, the project in Kampot province will continue for the next five to seven years. He said that so far, his organization has been working very hard in training people in the “Sustainable Use and Replanting of Rattan”, as well as tending thousands of rattan seedlings to repopulate the SCW project site.
According to the SCW master plan, the next rattan project will occur in Thmar Bung district in Koh Kong province, following the successful completion of the Kampot province project.
Chhoeng Soviriya, the SCW project officer based in Kampot province, said that most of the personnel involved in the growing project based around the Prek Thnoat Communes are farmers and fishermen. Their livelihoods depend on their harvesting the plant from the forests and mountain tops. This is then sold to local middlemen who then sell it on to dealers in the larger urban centers. This activity puts an extra 20, 000 riel (about US $5) into the pockets of the Kampot province harvesters per month, in addition to the money they earn from fishing or farming.
Soviriya continued, “Since the introduction of the rattan project in Kampot province, people can see the necessity for conservation as they can see the link between this and their livelihoods. Before our intervention, they sold the unprocessed rattan that they had collected directly to merchants at a relatively low price. With help and coordination from SCW and WWF, they have been introduced to a wider more lucrative market for their goods. They are also more confident in turning their harvests into furniture for sale in the larger towns and cities across the country.”
Kong Sao, 47, a farmer in Prek Kreng village, Prek Thnoat commune, Kampot province, said that he and his friends had been involved in the collection of rattan for the last decade, bringing in between 20,000 to 50,000 riel every fortnight
Yang Seth, 40, another farmer living in Kampot district, Kampot province, said that his income was greatly enhanced by collecting raw rattan. He said, “It is my second source of income and I can make up to 15 000 riel each month to support my family and children.”
Ek Sopheak, chief of the information office at the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that the ministry appreciated the work of SCW and its efforts to preserve the rattan range in Kampot province. According to him, the rattan’s range is limited to Kampot, Koh Kong, Pursat, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces.
He continued, “I think that the rattan project is a big help to the Ministry of Agriculture. The rattan is a very important and supremely useful natural resource. Their activities are also a great source of help to the farmers whose lives depend on these versatile plants.”
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French Cultural Centre to Organize Lakhaon Theatre Festival in Phnom Penh
By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea and Chhut Chheana
The French Cultural Centre has organized a Lakhaon Theater Festival in Phnom Penh from October 3-9, 2008, according to Alain Arnaudet, director of the French Cultural Centre (FCC).
Alain mentioned that the international Lakhaon performance, which would be held at Chenla Theater Hall, in Phnom Penh, beginning at 18:30 pm, was free of charge for all of Cambodian people and visitors in Cambodia.
He told the press conference, held at FCC on September 24, 2008 that for this year’s festival, there would be twelve companies from Cambodia, France, Laos, Burma and Thailand displaying their skills during the festival. According to FCC estimates, this will create a magnificent spectacle involving 300 skilled performers.
“This is the second time that the FCC has organized the International Theater Festival in Cambodia. This year, French and Asian artists will collaborate on new creations while they are in residence. This promises to be a priceless moment of mutual enrichment,” Alain Arnaudet told the press conference.
“The main purpose of the Lakhaon festival is to participate in the rebirth or renaissance of various traditional theatrical forms of Southeast Asia, and to promote the development of new contemporary forms through encounters and exchanges between artists from other cultural horizons,” he said.
Alain said the festival would present plays from the Khmer classical repertoire that originate in traditional theatrical forms; but the event would also provide a showcase for varied and contemporary creations. He said that seven new and previously unseen Khmer creations will receive their premiers during this second festival and they will feature nine theatrical forms including Trab, Polsrei, Pleng Ka, Sbaekpor, and Ayai.
Chen Neak, Khmer Lakhaon Festival Organizer for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA), said that the International Theater festival helped the ministry and Cambodian government in many ways. The festival will not only preserve but develop traditional Khmer theatrical forms as living expressions of the creative spirit. Without this loving concern and attention, these venerable forms of dramatic art will disappear.
Neak said that according to MoCAF’s archive of documents and recordings, there are a total of 24 Khmer traditional theatric forms in Cambodia. However, he said that due to the wars in Cambodia, seven of these theatrical forms have had to be recreated using the limited evidence available to MoCFA. These reclaimed theatrical forms will form the centerpiece of the 2008 Lakhaon Theater Festival.
He also said that in order to preserve the remaining traditional theatrical forms, the ministry is seeking financial support from donors inside and outside the country.
He concluded, “We think that we would able to research and document our traditional theatrical forms when we have sufficient financial support from donors. We will also try our best to produce new creations from our traditional theatrical forms for plays to be staged during the next international theater festival. We are confident that these international festivals will help preserve the richness of Khmer culture for generations as yet unborn.”
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The French Cultural Centre has organized a Lakhaon Theater Festival in Phnom Penh from October 3-9, 2008, according to Alain Arnaudet, director of the French Cultural Centre (FCC).
Alain mentioned that the international Lakhaon performance, which would be held at Chenla Theater Hall, in Phnom Penh, beginning at 18:30 pm, was free of charge for all of Cambodian people and visitors in Cambodia.
He told the press conference, held at FCC on September 24, 2008 that for this year’s festival, there would be twelve companies from Cambodia, France, Laos, Burma and Thailand displaying their skills during the festival. According to FCC estimates, this will create a magnificent spectacle involving 300 skilled performers.
“This is the second time that the FCC has organized the International Theater Festival in Cambodia. This year, French and Asian artists will collaborate on new creations while they are in residence. This promises to be a priceless moment of mutual enrichment,” Alain Arnaudet told the press conference.
“The main purpose of the Lakhaon festival is to participate in the rebirth or renaissance of various traditional theatrical forms of Southeast Asia, and to promote the development of new contemporary forms through encounters and exchanges between artists from other cultural horizons,” he said.
Alain said the festival would present plays from the Khmer classical repertoire that originate in traditional theatrical forms; but the event would also provide a showcase for varied and contemporary creations. He said that seven new and previously unseen Khmer creations will receive their premiers during this second festival and they will feature nine theatrical forms including Trab, Polsrei, Pleng Ka, Sbaekpor, and Ayai.
Chen Neak, Khmer Lakhaon Festival Organizer for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA), said that the International Theater festival helped the ministry and Cambodian government in many ways. The festival will not only preserve but develop traditional Khmer theatrical forms as living expressions of the creative spirit. Without this loving concern and attention, these venerable forms of dramatic art will disappear.
Neak said that according to MoCAF’s archive of documents and recordings, there are a total of 24 Khmer traditional theatric forms in Cambodia. However, he said that due to the wars in Cambodia, seven of these theatrical forms have had to be recreated using the limited evidence available to MoCFA. These reclaimed theatrical forms will form the centerpiece of the 2008 Lakhaon Theater Festival.
He also said that in order to preserve the remaining traditional theatrical forms, the ministry is seeking financial support from donors inside and outside the country.
He concluded, “We think that we would able to research and document our traditional theatrical forms when we have sufficient financial support from donors. We will also try our best to produce new creations from our traditional theatrical forms for plays to be staged during the next international theater festival. We are confident that these international festivals will help preserve the richness of Khmer culture for generations as yet unborn.”
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Phnom Penh’s First Organic Food Restaurant Open for Business
By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
Khmer Village Restaurant (KVR), a local restaurant that sells 100 percent Khmer food and natural agri-products in Phnom Penh, is the first choice for those who appreciate organically grown vegetables and ethically reared meat.
The average day sees at least 80 customers from all walks of Phnom Penh society sitting at table and enjoying the range on offer KVR, according to Soth Visal, the restaurant’s General Manager.
25-year-old Visal, said, “I am happy because I can make a reasonable income from the business on a daily basis; and the income is made supplying the tastes of friendly and appreciative customers who think about food the same way I do.”
The Manager continued, “In supplying nothing but organically grown produce, KVR is the only restaurant of its kind in Cambodia. In enjoying my food my customers can also be sure that they are taking care of their health and supporting the welfare of our nation’s hard-working farmers.”
KVR was established only as recently as July 7, 2008. Visal said that the main objective of the restaurant was to use organic products such rice and chicken supplied by the Cambodia Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), a local NGO with a reputation for supplying excellent organic produce.
He pointed out that since the opening of the restaurant in July, the number of customers has increased rapidly, as has his income.
He said, “When I started operating my restaurant, in the first month I was making between 600,000 to 700,000 riel [about US $150 to 175] per day. Now, I can earn between 1,000,000 riel and 1,200,000 riel per day.”
The hungry but health-conscious diner will find the whole range of Cambodian favorites on offer, morning, noon and night at KVR with drinks to prolong the pleasure, according to Visal. He added that prices range from 4,000 to 8,000 riel—the same as all other local restaurants in Phnom Penh.
Mok Sam Oun, 46, an official working with the Ministry of Environment, said that he had been enjoying his lunch there since the second week of the restaurant’s opening. He continued, “I’m probably one of KVR’s most regular customers. I come here pretty much everyday because it’s convenient, delicious, healthy and I support our country’s hard working farmers. I have always had an interest in the organic food movement and now I know this foodstuff is produced locally, I’ll continue to be seen here at breakfast and lunch.”
Doung Sopheak, 35, a program officer working for an NGO in Phnom Penh is also an enthusiastic and regular patron of the restaurant.
Sopheak said, “We enjoyed the food at KVR because we know that this restaurant promotes nothing but the very best in Khmer foods and uses only organic products. As proud Cambodians we are also delighted to support the farmers toiling away, day after day, under the hot sun. This is the most delicious way to support the back-breaking labor of others.”
Chhay Songleang, the stock-out management officer for CEDAC, said that all products such as vegetables, meats, eggs and so on, served at KVR, were supplied exclusively by CEDAC.
Songleang said, “CEDAC does not own shares in the Khmer Village Restaurant, nor do we have any hand in the restaurant’s activities. However, we do forward meats, eggs and natural products that we buy from local farmers in CEDAC’s project areas to the restaurant for sale; we are their sole supplier.”
“I think” he said, “that KVR’s activities have really helped the promotion of Khmer cuisine and natural products in Cambodia.”
Dr. Yang Saing Kumar, president of CEDAC, said that currently, his organization is supplying three restaurants with organically produced foodstuffs and local produce in Cambodia. Those three restaurants include Baksei Srok Restaurant and the Khmer Village Restaurants located in Phnom Penh city. The other restaurant is located in Neak Leoung district, Prey Veng province.
Saing Kumar said the main purpose of CEDAC was to promote the widespread acceptance of Khmer organic and local products as the quality was just as good and in many cases superior to anything that could be imported from elsewhere.
He said that another CEDAC objective was the promotion of natural fertilizers for use on Cambodia's paddy and vegetable fields. This material is kinder to the environment, is much cheaper than imported chemical fertilizer and leads to a truly sustainable prospect for farmers.
Chan Sarun, minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MoAFF), added his backing to the activities of the local restaurants and CEDAC in publicizing the benefits of Cambodian natural produce.
The Minister said, “I think that these restaurants and local NGOs have really helped the ministry in many of the areas that have been of concern to us. We too have been preaching the benefits of natural fertilizers to our farmers and we are very happy to see our countrymen enjoying the taste of domestic products.”
Speaking to Cambodia Weekly reporter by telephone on September 5, he said that to encourage local farmers to increase their capacity and make a little extra cash for their families, the MoAFF, in collaboration with partners such as CARE, UNDP, FAO, PRASAC, AusAID, SEILA have been working very hard to introduce the concept and benefits to be gained from natural fertilizers. These activities have been on going since 1994 and now they are starting to produce results.
He said, “With these activities, I think that our farmers will be able to see the difference, perhaps not in terms of one-off, unfeasibly large yields of tasteless ballast for an empty stomach but rather in smaller quantities of the tastiest, best quality nutrition. I see a healthy future for natural fertilizers and a healthy diet for our people in future.”
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Khmer Village Restaurant (KVR), a local restaurant that sells 100 percent Khmer food and natural agri-products in Phnom Penh, is the first choice for those who appreciate organically grown vegetables and ethically reared meat.
The average day sees at least 80 customers from all walks of Phnom Penh society sitting at table and enjoying the range on offer KVR, according to Soth Visal, the restaurant’s General Manager.
25-year-old Visal, said, “I am happy because I can make a reasonable income from the business on a daily basis; and the income is made supplying the tastes of friendly and appreciative customers who think about food the same way I do.”
The Manager continued, “In supplying nothing but organically grown produce, KVR is the only restaurant of its kind in Cambodia. In enjoying my food my customers can also be sure that they are taking care of their health and supporting the welfare of our nation’s hard-working farmers.”
KVR was established only as recently as July 7, 2008. Visal said that the main objective of the restaurant was to use organic products such rice and chicken supplied by the Cambodia Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), a local NGO with a reputation for supplying excellent organic produce.
He pointed out that since the opening of the restaurant in July, the number of customers has increased rapidly, as has his income.
He said, “When I started operating my restaurant, in the first month I was making between 600,000 to 700,000 riel [about US $150 to 175] per day. Now, I can earn between 1,000,000 riel and 1,200,000 riel per day.”
The hungry but health-conscious diner will find the whole range of Cambodian favorites on offer, morning, noon and night at KVR with drinks to prolong the pleasure, according to Visal. He added that prices range from 4,000 to 8,000 riel—the same as all other local restaurants in Phnom Penh.
Mok Sam Oun, 46, an official working with the Ministry of Environment, said that he had been enjoying his lunch there since the second week of the restaurant’s opening. He continued, “I’m probably one of KVR’s most regular customers. I come here pretty much everyday because it’s convenient, delicious, healthy and I support our country’s hard working farmers. I have always had an interest in the organic food movement and now I know this foodstuff is produced locally, I’ll continue to be seen here at breakfast and lunch.”
Doung Sopheak, 35, a program officer working for an NGO in Phnom Penh is also an enthusiastic and regular patron of the restaurant.
Sopheak said, “We enjoyed the food at KVR because we know that this restaurant promotes nothing but the very best in Khmer foods and uses only organic products. As proud Cambodians we are also delighted to support the farmers toiling away, day after day, under the hot sun. This is the most delicious way to support the back-breaking labor of others.”
Chhay Songleang, the stock-out management officer for CEDAC, said that all products such as vegetables, meats, eggs and so on, served at KVR, were supplied exclusively by CEDAC.
Songleang said, “CEDAC does not own shares in the Khmer Village Restaurant, nor do we have any hand in the restaurant’s activities. However, we do forward meats, eggs and natural products that we buy from local farmers in CEDAC’s project areas to the restaurant for sale; we are their sole supplier.”
“I think” he said, “that KVR’s activities have really helped the promotion of Khmer cuisine and natural products in Cambodia.”
Dr. Yang Saing Kumar, president of CEDAC, said that currently, his organization is supplying three restaurants with organically produced foodstuffs and local produce in Cambodia. Those three restaurants include Baksei Srok Restaurant and the Khmer Village Restaurants located in Phnom Penh city. The other restaurant is located in Neak Leoung district, Prey Veng province.
Saing Kumar said the main purpose of CEDAC was to promote the widespread acceptance of Khmer organic and local products as the quality was just as good and in many cases superior to anything that could be imported from elsewhere.
He said that another CEDAC objective was the promotion of natural fertilizers for use on Cambodia's paddy and vegetable fields. This material is kinder to the environment, is much cheaper than imported chemical fertilizer and leads to a truly sustainable prospect for farmers.
Chan Sarun, minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MoAFF), added his backing to the activities of the local restaurants and CEDAC in publicizing the benefits of Cambodian natural produce.
The Minister said, “I think that these restaurants and local NGOs have really helped the ministry in many of the areas that have been of concern to us. We too have been preaching the benefits of natural fertilizers to our farmers and we are very happy to see our countrymen enjoying the taste of domestic products.”
Speaking to Cambodia Weekly reporter by telephone on September 5, he said that to encourage local farmers to increase their capacity and make a little extra cash for their families, the MoAFF, in collaboration with partners such as CARE, UNDP, FAO, PRASAC, AusAID, SEILA have been working very hard to introduce the concept and benefits to be gained from natural fertilizers. These activities have been on going since 1994 and now they are starting to produce results.
He said, “With these activities, I think that our farmers will be able to see the difference, perhaps not in terms of one-off, unfeasibly large yields of tasteless ballast for an empty stomach but rather in smaller quantities of the tastiest, best quality nutrition. I see a healthy future for natural fertilizers and a healthy diet for our people in future.”
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tons of Compost/Fertilizer Produced at Stung Meanchey Dump Site
By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA
Every month at least 20 tons of compost and fertilizer are produced at Stung Meanchey dump site by the Cambodian Education and Waste Management Organization (COMPED), a local non-governmental organization established in 2000. The composting of biodegradable waste makes ideal fertilizer for sale to farmers across the country, according to COMPED officers.
Sam Phalla, manager of COMPED’s composting project, said that since the establishment of the composting project at Stung Meanchey Dump Site in 2000, about 2,000 tons of compost and fertilizer had been produced by COMPED from the wastes. According to Phalla, the market for this material is nationwide.
Phalla said the main purpose of COMPEDs Composting Project was to demonstrate the importance of the process of separation and the cycles that turn rubbish is turned into a saleable commodity. He underlined the benefits created in terms of reducing the volume of material thrown into landfill sites.
Furthermore, he said another objective of the project was to promote and encourage Cambodian farmers to use composted fertilizers in preference to chemical fertilizers for growing all kinds of plants. The use of natural fertilizers helps the soil retain its richness and helps prevent fertilizer run off and the resulting nitrate imbalance in the nation’s rivers and streams. All these considerations are vital if the nation is to retain her natural beauty and biodiversity.
He added that currently, COMPED is running in a 2,000 square meter composting plant at Stung Meanchey dump site, supported by Germany, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Protection and Environment of the Free State of Thuringia, as well as related Phnom Penh Authorities.
He said, “Now, I can say that due to our small composting project, we can convert only one percent of the daily volume of rubbish thrown into the dump. I think that if we can manage the wastes from all the markets, as well as the stuff thrown into this site, it can help the Cambodian government reduce the import of chemical fertilizers and prevent environmental degradation in Cambodia.”
The Manager told the Cambodia Weekly that according to his estimates, every day about 65 tons of biodegradable waste are thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site.
Regarding COMPED’s production capacity, Phalla said that currently, his organization has produces from 6 to 12 tones of the material per day, far from sufficient to cater to the demands of the nation’s farmers. He said those farmers who bought compost at COMPED’s office at Stung Meanchey dump site came from the provinces throughout Cambodia including Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Koh Kong and Battambang. According to Sam Phalla, one kilogram of compost fetches 300 riel.
Var Sarom, 53, a farmer from Takeo province, said that every rainy season, he often came to Phnom Penh to buy compost at COMPED’s office. He said it was a vital component for his rice plantation.
Sarom said, “I usually buy about 200 kg of compost from the organization every year, during the rainy season. I decided to use the compost rather than chemical fertilizers because it's much more reasonably priced and is kinder to the soil. This is an important consideration if my operations are to be sustained.”
Sao Da, 55, another farmer from Svay Rieng province, said that he also buys COMPED’s products to make his seedlings grow and to improve the quality of his Svey Rieng earth.
Da said that he bought at least 300 kg of fertilizer from COMPED to grow vegetables and plants during the rainy season.
He said, “I buy these products from COMPED because they are cheap, which suits me and my family just fine.”
He said that since 1999, he bought chemical fertilizers. However, he added that he became converted to the biodegradable solution after several years of using chemical fertilizers. He noted that the soil quality had been affected, becoming as solid and conducive to horticulture as concrete. With natural fertilizers, the soil returned to its natural state, providing a soft, crumbly seedbed for shoots to thrive in.
Mann Chhoeun, deputy governor of the Phnom Penh Municipality, said that COMPED’s composting project helped the Phnom Penh Authorities promote health care management services, made the task of waste management easier and prevented environmental degradation.
The Deputy Governor said that according to reports, there are more than 1,000 tons of un-sifted trash collected and thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site per day. He said that the site was rapidly reaching capacity and that the Phnom Penh Municipality planned to move the dump site from Stung Meanchey, relocating it on 30-hectares of land in Khan Dangkor, in Phnom Penh. The move is expected to occur early 2009.
He also said that according to new policies, Phnom Penh’s Municipality will reserve over one hectare of the composting project.
Chau Kimheng, director of COMPED, said that Stung Meanchey dump site’s Composting Project will be closed when the move to the new location takes place next year. However, Kimheng said that his organization would continue its project on the new site which has a larger composting plant.
The Director said, “We are ready to cooperate with Phnom Penh Authorities to continue the composting project at the new dumping site in Khan Dangkor. We hope that with its new and larger composting facilities, we will be able to produce more fertilizer for our nation’s farmers.”
He also said that in order to promote the product, his organization conducts training workshops on composting and environmental awareness to an audience of interested local farmers, government’s authorities, NGO’s staff and other stakeholders in targeted provinces throughout Cambodia.
Every month at least 20 tons of compost and fertilizer are produced at Stung Meanchey dump site by the Cambodian Education and Waste Management Organization (COMPED), a local non-governmental organization established in 2000. The composting of biodegradable waste makes ideal fertilizer for sale to farmers across the country, according to COMPED officers.
Sam Phalla, manager of COMPED’s composting project, said that since the establishment of the composting project at Stung Meanchey Dump Site in 2000, about 2,000 tons of compost and fertilizer had been produced by COMPED from the wastes. According to Phalla, the market for this material is nationwide.
Phalla said the main purpose of COMPEDs Composting Project was to demonstrate the importance of the process of separation and the cycles that turn rubbish is turned into a saleable commodity. He underlined the benefits created in terms of reducing the volume of material thrown into landfill sites.
Furthermore, he said another objective of the project was to promote and encourage Cambodian farmers to use composted fertilizers in preference to chemical fertilizers for growing all kinds of plants. The use of natural fertilizers helps the soil retain its richness and helps prevent fertilizer run off and the resulting nitrate imbalance in the nation’s rivers and streams. All these considerations are vital if the nation is to retain her natural beauty and biodiversity.
He added that currently, COMPED is running in a 2,000 square meter composting plant at Stung Meanchey dump site, supported by Germany, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Protection and Environment of the Free State of Thuringia, as well as related Phnom Penh Authorities.
He said, “Now, I can say that due to our small composting project, we can convert only one percent of the daily volume of rubbish thrown into the dump. I think that if we can manage the wastes from all the markets, as well as the stuff thrown into this site, it can help the Cambodian government reduce the import of chemical fertilizers and prevent environmental degradation in Cambodia.”
The Manager told the Cambodia Weekly that according to his estimates, every day about 65 tons of biodegradable waste are thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site.
Regarding COMPED’s production capacity, Phalla said that currently, his organization has produces from 6 to 12 tones of the material per day, far from sufficient to cater to the demands of the nation’s farmers. He said those farmers who bought compost at COMPED’s office at Stung Meanchey dump site came from the provinces throughout Cambodia including Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Koh Kong and Battambang. According to Sam Phalla, one kilogram of compost fetches 300 riel.
Var Sarom, 53, a farmer from Takeo province, said that every rainy season, he often came to Phnom Penh to buy compost at COMPED’s office. He said it was a vital component for his rice plantation.
Sarom said, “I usually buy about 200 kg of compost from the organization every year, during the rainy season. I decided to use the compost rather than chemical fertilizers because it's much more reasonably priced and is kinder to the soil. This is an important consideration if my operations are to be sustained.”
Sao Da, 55, another farmer from Svay Rieng province, said that he also buys COMPED’s products to make his seedlings grow and to improve the quality of his Svey Rieng earth.
Da said that he bought at least 300 kg of fertilizer from COMPED to grow vegetables and plants during the rainy season.
He said, “I buy these products from COMPED because they are cheap, which suits me and my family just fine.”
He said that since 1999, he bought chemical fertilizers. However, he added that he became converted to the biodegradable solution after several years of using chemical fertilizers. He noted that the soil quality had been affected, becoming as solid and conducive to horticulture as concrete. With natural fertilizers, the soil returned to its natural state, providing a soft, crumbly seedbed for shoots to thrive in.
Mann Chhoeun, deputy governor of the Phnom Penh Municipality, said that COMPED’s composting project helped the Phnom Penh Authorities promote health care management services, made the task of waste management easier and prevented environmental degradation.
The Deputy Governor said that according to reports, there are more than 1,000 tons of un-sifted trash collected and thrown into Stung Meanchey dump site per day. He said that the site was rapidly reaching capacity and that the Phnom Penh Municipality planned to move the dump site from Stung Meanchey, relocating it on 30-hectares of land in Khan Dangkor, in Phnom Penh. The move is expected to occur early 2009.
He also said that according to new policies, Phnom Penh’s Municipality will reserve over one hectare of the composting project.
Chau Kimheng, director of COMPED, said that Stung Meanchey dump site’s Composting Project will be closed when the move to the new location takes place next year. However, Kimheng said that his organization would continue its project on the new site which has a larger composting plant.
The Director said, “We are ready to cooperate with Phnom Penh Authorities to continue the composting project at the new dumping site in Khan Dangkor. We hope that with its new and larger composting facilities, we will be able to produce more fertilizer for our nation’s farmers.”
He also said that in order to promote the product, his organization conducts training workshops on composting and environmental awareness to an audience of interested local farmers, government’s authorities, NGO’s staff and other stakeholders in targeted provinces throughout Cambodia.
Number of Students Applying to Study Lakhaon and Pleng Boran Decreases: Officials
By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
Senior Officials at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) have announced recently that no new students have applied to study Traditional Music and Theatre subjects since RUFA’s change of location to the Boeung Tayab area in Khan Roussey Keo, west of the Capital.
The officials reported that the number of new students who applied for study at RUFA decreased because the school’s location was inconvenient for travel and the roads in the area required repair. Furthermore, student feedback indicated that these skills do not meet the demands of the current job market in Cambodia.
Proeung Chhieng, professor and vice-dean of the Royal University of Fine Arts, said that the number of new students applying for courses of study in Traditional Music and Theatre Subjects at RUFA had decreased every year. He said, “I believe the main reason for the decline in the number of students is the new school’s situation, being far removed from the city center.”
“Apart from this, the road links to the University are very bad, being no better than muddy tracks after a light sprinkling of rain,” he said.
“In addition, the subjects we have to offer at RUFA are seen as irrelevant, given the current nature of the Cambodian job market.”
Speaking by telephone, the Professor told the Cambodia Weekly on September 1 that according to a university report, RUFA was pleased to accept at least 300 applications from high school graduates every year, when it was situated near the old Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh.
However, he said that since the move to the new location in Boeng Tayab in early 2005, there had been a drastic reduction of interest, with enrollment running at around only 30 to 40 students per year. Of these new enrollments, only a small minority of candidates applied to study performance art subjects like Lakhaon Boran (traditional theatre) with its sub genres of Lakhaon Basac, Shadow puppetry, Circus and Yike, let alone the classical music subjects.
Yun Khean, professor of Traditional Music and vice-dean of Khmer Traditional Music studies at RUFA, said that yearly enrollment now seldom rose above four students. The richness of musical tradition, captured by familiar names such as Pleng Arak and Pleng Mahory; the sound of Khmer music sung by instruments such as drums, oboes, Chapei Dorng Veng, Kse Diev (guitars), Tro Khmer, Bror Bos and Chhing was in danger of being silenced.
Khean recognized that students do apply to study other subjects as they thought that these skills would lack relevance in the employment market of a rapidly developing economy.
Khean went on to paint an alarming picture. “If there is no immediate action from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts or the Royal Government as a whole, the future of traditional music, dance and theatre looks bleak. For this art form to thrive in the future we need new blood in the form of young and enthusiastic students who can foresee a workable career for themselves on the stage.”
Por Teung, director of the Fine Arts High School which shares a compound with RUFA, said of academic year 2008-2009 that his school planned to prepare up to 300 new students to study these traditional performing arts.
However, Teung said that these efforts would be hampered by physical conditions and held out little hope of being able to encourage students to support the intentions.
He has appealed to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA) and the Royal Government of Cambodia to buy more school mini-buses and to renovate the RUFA campus accommodation facilities for the benefit of students and teachers who come from provinces.
Khim Sarith, secretary of state at MoCFA, said that with the full support of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the ministry has bought three mini-buses for RUFA students to date.
Sarith told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on September 2, 2008 that so far, the ministry has no plans to buy more mini-buses, nor plans for campus improvements.
He said, “The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is aware of the strains experienced by RUFA but there simply is not the budget to meet these requests.”
“However, the ministry will work hard and formulate alternative solutions to the problems and thus ensure a healthy population of fresh and inspired students for RUFA,” he continued. “As a leader for MoCFA, I can assure everyone concerned that the ministry will not rest while these conditions remain and we have no intention of allowing our cultural heritage to disappear in the future.”
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Senior Officials at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) have announced recently that no new students have applied to study Traditional Music and Theatre subjects since RUFA’s change of location to the Boeung Tayab area in Khan Roussey Keo, west of the Capital.
The officials reported that the number of new students who applied for study at RUFA decreased because the school’s location was inconvenient for travel and the roads in the area required repair. Furthermore, student feedback indicated that these skills do not meet the demands of the current job market in Cambodia.
Proeung Chhieng, professor and vice-dean of the Royal University of Fine Arts, said that the number of new students applying for courses of study in Traditional Music and Theatre Subjects at RUFA had decreased every year. He said, “I believe the main reason for the decline in the number of students is the new school’s situation, being far removed from the city center.”
“Apart from this, the road links to the University are very bad, being no better than muddy tracks after a light sprinkling of rain,” he said.
“In addition, the subjects we have to offer at RUFA are seen as irrelevant, given the current nature of the Cambodian job market.”
Speaking by telephone, the Professor told the Cambodia Weekly on September 1 that according to a university report, RUFA was pleased to accept at least 300 applications from high school graduates every year, when it was situated near the old Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh.
However, he said that since the move to the new location in Boeng Tayab in early 2005, there had been a drastic reduction of interest, with enrollment running at around only 30 to 40 students per year. Of these new enrollments, only a small minority of candidates applied to study performance art subjects like Lakhaon Boran (traditional theatre) with its sub genres of Lakhaon Basac, Shadow puppetry, Circus and Yike, let alone the classical music subjects.
Yun Khean, professor of Traditional Music and vice-dean of Khmer Traditional Music studies at RUFA, said that yearly enrollment now seldom rose above four students. The richness of musical tradition, captured by familiar names such as Pleng Arak and Pleng Mahory; the sound of Khmer music sung by instruments such as drums, oboes, Chapei Dorng Veng, Kse Diev (guitars), Tro Khmer, Bror Bos and Chhing was in danger of being silenced.
Khean recognized that students do apply to study other subjects as they thought that these skills would lack relevance in the employment market of a rapidly developing economy.
Khean went on to paint an alarming picture. “If there is no immediate action from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts or the Royal Government as a whole, the future of traditional music, dance and theatre looks bleak. For this art form to thrive in the future we need new blood in the form of young and enthusiastic students who can foresee a workable career for themselves on the stage.”
Por Teung, director of the Fine Arts High School which shares a compound with RUFA, said of academic year 2008-2009 that his school planned to prepare up to 300 new students to study these traditional performing arts.
However, Teung said that these efforts would be hampered by physical conditions and held out little hope of being able to encourage students to support the intentions.
He has appealed to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA) and the Royal Government of Cambodia to buy more school mini-buses and to renovate the RUFA campus accommodation facilities for the benefit of students and teachers who come from provinces.
Khim Sarith, secretary of state at MoCFA, said that with the full support of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the ministry has bought three mini-buses for RUFA students to date.
Sarith told the Cambodia Weekly by telephone on September 2, 2008 that so far, the ministry has no plans to buy more mini-buses, nor plans for campus improvements.
He said, “The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is aware of the strains experienced by RUFA but there simply is not the budget to meet these requests.”
“However, the ministry will work hard and formulate alternative solutions to the problems and thus ensure a healthy population of fresh and inspired students for RUFA,” he continued. “As a leader for MoCFA, I can assure everyone concerned that the ministry will not rest while these conditions remain and we have no intention of allowing our cultural heritage to disappear in the future.”
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