Latest news with #RoyalGovernment
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Border issues with Thailand require patience and determination, says Cambodian PM
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that resolving border issues is complex and must be approached with patience and persistence and through legal and diplomatic channels. On Saturday (May 31), he spoke to about 1,600 Cambodians living, working, and studying in Tokyo, Japan. The Prime Minister emphasised that border demarcation should be managed by the countries' designated border committees rather than through military conflict. Referring to the clash that occurred on Wednesday, he warned that if the situation had not been addressed quickly, the death toll could have risen from one to potentially one hundred, and the conflict could have spread along the entire border. He also indicated that taking border disputes to international court should be considered only as a last resort, stating, 'Once it reaches the court, negotiations will no longer be possible.' Furthermore, the Prime Minister strongly disapproved of opposition claims suggesting that the Royal Government allowed the Thai army to fire on Cambodian troops in order to distract the public from online crime issues. He condemned attempts to demoralise Cambodian forces during this sensitive time. 'This is a moment for national unity,' he said. 'We must support and uplift our soldiers who are risking their lives to protect the territorial integrity of our homeland,' questioning the opposition's intentions behind their efforts to sow division between army generals and frontline soldiers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Royal Government's commitment, alongside the Ministry of National Defence and the Cambodian Armed Forces, to peacefully resolve border disputes and to safeguard Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. - Khmer Times
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk investment incentive programme continues to grow
Many building projects in Sihanoukville have remained abandoned since the Covid-19 outbreak. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH: An additional 10 investment projects with a total capital of US$154 million will receive special incentives from the Royal Government under the 'Special Investment Promotion Programme in Preah Sihanouk Province'. This brings the total number of projects benefiting from the programme to 297. The latest projects were approved during the 16th meeting of the programme's working group, held at the Ministry of Economy and Finance headquarters on Thursday (May 29). The meeting was chaired by ministry secretary of state Hean Sahib, head of the group. During the meeting, he briefed attendees on the current state of global trade policy and the protection of domestic industries, which have led to a rise in trade barriers and are impacting the Kingdom's exports, as well as industrial development and investment. He explained that despite these challenges, the government remains committed to improving the business environment to attract and boost investment in Preah Sihanouk through a strategy of 'retaining existing investors and attracting new ones', as well as resolving issues through the One Window Service Office system. 'This situation has created momentum for Cambodia to continue economic diversification and attract investment from other countries by doubling efforts to improve the business environment and draw in investors,' he said. Projects approved to join the programme will receive a number of incentives, privileges and procedural facilitation within the framework of the programme, which will continue to be implemented until the end of 2025. According to the meeting, four of the ten newly approved projects are related to stalled building construction, while four are entirely new. One is for the expansion of a previous operation, while one is an existing project. With a total investment of $154 million, the ten projects have the potential to create around 1,200 jobs. The projects include factories, commercial buildings, general education institutions, floating ports, hotels and residential buildings. According to the working group, since the programme began in 2024, 297 investment projects have been approved. They have a total estimated capital of $7.029 billion and will create approximately 53,000 jobs. In June, the working group plans to inspect around 30 proposed projects. The group is continuing to encourage businesspeople and investors to apply for special benefits, such as tax incentives, administrative facilitation and procedural easing related to investment. Im Senghour, head of Century 21 Zillion Holding's Sihanoukville branch, told The Post on May 29 that after a sharp downturn during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the construction, real estate, tourism and overall economy of Preah Sihanouk began to show signs of recovery in 2024. He added that government policies aimed at revitalising the economy in the province are starting to yield positive results, particularly by reviving previously stalled activities. 'The 'Special Investment Promotion Programme in Preah Sihanouk Province' is gradually bringing progress, although its impact is not yet strong, as all of this still depends on the global economic situation,' he acknowledged. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia, Thailand military commanders to met after fatal shooting incident
PHNOM PENH: The border commanders of the Cambodian and Thai armies are scheduled to meet Thursday (May 29) evening, to ease tensions in the Mom 3 area of Choam Khsant district, Preah Vihear province, following the death of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of fire which took place on Wednesday morning. In a message posted to Facebook page this morning, Prime Minister Hun Manet said, 'I hope the meeting between the Cambodian and Thai army chiefs tonight will bring positive results in maintaining calm and good communication between our frontline forces, as has been done in the past.' 'I do not want to see any fighting between our armies that brings no benefit to our two countries and peoples, especially those directly on the frontline,' he added. He clarified that the deployment of forces and weapons to the border is part of the army's contingency plans to protect Cambodia's territorial integrity, ensuring readiness for any potential situation. Manet reiterated his previous public statements that Cambodia does not intend to invade any country and that the border issue should be resolved based on technical evidence and international law. 'Nevertheless, Cambodia reserves the right to use all necessary means to protect its territorial integrity, including armed forces, in the event of any invasion or violation by force,' he continued. Despite being on a state mission abroad, the prime minister said he was continuing to monitor the border situation closely and is making all major decisions regarding national security. He urged the public not to be alarmed by unverified information which may be circulating, especially from unclear sources. 'I also call on our Cambodian citizens to prevent this issue from escalating into ethnic conflict and to trust the Royal Government and our army to responsibly find a solution,' he said. Senate president Hun Sen also took to social media to comment. He strongly condemned any individual, organisation or group responsible for what he described as aggressive acts, reminiscent of the hostilities that took place at the Preah Vihear Temple between 2008 and 2011. 'I do not wish for armed conflict to break out, but I fully support the Royal Government's decision to deploy troops and heavy weaponry to the border as a defensive measure against continued aggression,' he wrote. He expressed his hopes that the upcoming talks between the army commanders of both nations will yield positive outcomes and that no tensions will arise along the border to hinder cooperation in mutually beneficial sectors. Hun Sen appealed to citizens to avoid fuelling ethnic hatred and to place their trust in the government and military efforts of both countries to resolve the conflict. He underscored that while Cambodians abhor war, they are compelled to defend themselves when faced with foreign aggression, as was the case from 2008 to 2011, when a three-pronged approach — military, diplomatic and legal — was employed. Both the prime minister and senate president expressed their condolences to the family of the Cambodian soldier killed by Thai forces. 'The loss of Suon Raun is a loss felt deeply — not only by his family but by the nation. He was a devoted son, brother and a pure patriot who dedicated his strength, body, mind and soul to the defence of our nation, religion and King. His contributions to sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peace and prosperity of Cambodia are invaluable,' wrote Manet. He shared two photos from the clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces in the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan, and Ta Krabey areas over a decade ago, in 2008 and 2011. 'First and foremost, I express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the late Warrant Officer Suon Raun, who lost his life due to the assault by invading forces,' added Hun Sen. 'A peaceful, friendly and cooperative border should never witness such incidents,' he continued. Royal Cambodian army patrolled along the borders recently. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
