PHNOM PENH, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia’s cassava exports had increased by 95 percent year-on-year in the first ten months this year, whilst the revenues had surged by 267 percent, showed the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.
From January to October this year, the country had exported 228,250 tons of fresh and dry chip cassava, represented 95 percent rise from 116,700 tons in the same period last year, it said.
With the exported amount, Cambodia had earned the total revenues of 10.8 million U.S. dollars in ten months this year, up 267 percent from only 2.94 million U.S. dollars at the same period last year, it added.
The cassava has been exported mainly to Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea.
In December last year, the country inked an agreement with China in order to make way for Cambodia’s cassava to enter Chinese market. So far, a few companies have already registered with Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture to export the cassava to China, said Preap Visarto, deputy director of the Ministry’s Crop Protection and Proto-Sanitary Department.
According to the report from the Ministry of Agriculture, the country grew 194,000 hectares of cassava crop in 2010 and yielded around 3.78 million tons of fresh cassava.
However, this year’s cassava output is likely to decline due to the devastation by the worst floods in recent months.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
President of Cambodian National Assembly leaves for one-week visit in China
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's President of National Assembly Heng Samrin on Sunday morning led a group of parliamentarians to pay an official goodwill visit to China from Dec. 4-10.
Heng and his party was seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by the National Assembly's First Deputy President Nguon Nhel and Second Deputy President Say Chhum, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
The visit was made at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said a press release from the National Assembly.
"The visit is to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies," it said.
During the stay, Heng Samrin will hold bilateral talks with Wu Bangguo. Also, he will pay courtesy calls on Chinese leaders, added the press release.
Besides these, Heng Samrin and his delegation will visit Economic and Scientific Development Zones in Dalian city of Liaoning province and Guangzhou province.
Heng and his party was seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by the National Assembly's First Deputy President Nguon Nhel and Second Deputy President Say Chhum, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
The visit was made at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said a press release from the National Assembly.
"The visit is to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies," it said.
During the stay, Heng Samrin will hold bilateral talks with Wu Bangguo. Also, he will pay courtesy calls on Chinese leaders, added the press release.
Besides these, Heng Samrin and his delegation will visit Economic and Scientific Development Zones in Dalian city of Liaoning province and Guangzhou province.
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat heritage site hosts 16th international half marathon
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- More than five thousand professional and amateur athletes from 58 countries and regions on Sunday took part in the 16th international half marathon at the complex of Angkor Wat temples, a World Heritage Site, in Siem Reap province.
Of some 5,129 athletes, 3,302 are foreigners, up 42 percent compared to last year, and 1,827 athletes are Cambodian, up 35 percent.
The men's 21-kilometer race was won by Swedish Henrik Jannborg, 30, in a time of one hour, 13 minutes and five seconds; American Evan Fox, 29, finished second in 1:14:18; and Japanese Mitsuharu Nishioka, 42, came at third in 1:17:41.
The women's 21-kilometer run was awarded to Swedish Jenny Lundgoen, 33, who finished in 1:25:22; New Zealand's Holly Holly Warren, 29, took the second place in 1:29:11; and Singaporean Vivia Tang, 40, was third in 1:30:24.
French Amauch Deh and Cambodian Kang Thoeun clocked the same time of 39 minutes and 40 seconds to share the first place in the men's 10-kilometer race, and Cambodian Sa Ratak was third in 39 minutes and 52 seconds.
The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon was held for tourism promotion and for raising fund to help the victims of mines and to donate to the Cambodian Red Cross for humanitarian activities.
A foreign runner donated 40 U.S dollars and a Cambodian runner donated 2 dollars in order to be eligible to join the races.
Of some 5,129 athletes, 3,302 are foreigners, up 42 percent compared to last year, and 1,827 athletes are Cambodian, up 35 percent.
The men's 21-kilometer race was won by Swedish Henrik Jannborg, 30, in a time of one hour, 13 minutes and five seconds; American Evan Fox, 29, finished second in 1:14:18; and Japanese Mitsuharu Nishioka, 42, came at third in 1:17:41.
The women's 21-kilometer run was awarded to Swedish Jenny Lundgoen, 33, who finished in 1:25:22; New Zealand's Holly Holly Warren, 29, took the second place in 1:29:11; and Singaporean Vivia Tang, 40, was third in 1:30:24.
French Amauch Deh and Cambodian Kang Thoeun clocked the same time of 39 minutes and 40 seconds to share the first place in the men's 10-kilometer race, and Cambodian Sa Ratak was third in 39 minutes and 52 seconds.
The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon was held for tourism promotion and for raising fund to help the victims of mines and to donate to the Cambodian Red Cross for humanitarian activities.
A foreign runner donated 40 U.S dollars and a Cambodian runner donated 2 dollars in order to be eligible to join the races.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Cambodia imports 1.2 million tons of petroleum in 10 months, up 66 pct
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia had imported 1.2 million tons of petroleum in the first ten months of this year, 66 percent rise, compared with the same period last year of 724,300 tons, showed the data from the Commerce Ministry’s Camcontrol Department on Saturday.
During the period, the country had spent 1.13 billion U.S. dollars to purchase petroleum from foreign suppliers, up 132 percent from 486 million U.S. dollars it spent within the same period last year, it said.
Cambodia’s oil demand has sharply increased in recent years thanks to the growing extent of economy and the increasing number of vehicles. The demand is expected to reach 3 to 4 million tons a year in coming years.
According to the reports of the Ministry of Public Work and Transports, currently, the country has about 1.6 million motorcycles and 310,000 cars, buses and trucks.
Cambodia has entirely purchased petroleum from Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand as its seabed’s oil and gas have not been exploited.
The impoverished country hopes that the first drop of its own-produced oil will be available from December, 2012 as now Cambodia’s Petrochemical Company has been studying the feasibility to build an oil refinery with the annual capacity of 5 million tons per year in Preah Sihanouk province.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Cambodia’s total trades worth 9.44 bln USD in 10 months, up 42 pct
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia’s import and export trades had mounted to 9.44 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of this year, 42 percent rise from 6.66 billion U.S. dollars in the same period a year ago, the statistics of the Commerce Ministry showed Friday.
From January to October this year, the country had imported goods in the total value of 5.39 billion U.S. dollars, up 40 percent from 3.85 billion U.S. dollars in the same period last year.
The imported products included garment and textile raw materials of 2.12 billion U.S. dollars, up 17 percent; petroleum of 1.13 billion U.S. dollars, up 133 percent; construction materials of 497 million U.S. dollars, up 174 percent; automobiles and motorcycles of 301 million U.S. dollars, up 54 percent; food and soft drinks of 131 million U.S. dollars, up 25 percent.
In addition, the imports of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics worth 111 million U.S. dollars, down 4 percent.
In terms of exports, the country had exported products in total amount of 4.05 billion U.S. dollars, up 44 percent from 2.81 billion U.S. dollars.
The main products this country exported were garment and textile of 3.54 billion U.S. dollars, a 41 percent rise; rubber latex of 171 million U.S. dollars, up 171 percent; rice of 78 million U.S. dollars, up 200 percent; and the rest amount was the products of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
The main foreign trade partners with the country are the United States, European countries, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Canada.
From January to October this year, the country had imported goods in the total value of 5.39 billion U.S. dollars, up 40 percent from 3.85 billion U.S. dollars in the same period last year.
The imported products included garment and textile raw materials of 2.12 billion U.S. dollars, up 17 percent; petroleum of 1.13 billion U.S. dollars, up 133 percent; construction materials of 497 million U.S. dollars, up 174 percent; automobiles and motorcycles of 301 million U.S. dollars, up 54 percent; food and soft drinks of 131 million U.S. dollars, up 25 percent.
In addition, the imports of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics worth 111 million U.S. dollars, down 4 percent.
In terms of exports, the country had exported products in total amount of 4.05 billion U.S. dollars, up 44 percent from 2.81 billion U.S. dollars.
The main products this country exported were garment and textile of 3.54 billion U.S. dollars, a 41 percent rise; rubber latex of 171 million U.S. dollars, up 171 percent; rice of 78 million U.S. dollars, up 200 percent; and the rest amount was the products of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
The main foreign trade partners with the country are the United States, European countries, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Canada.
Cambodia’s rubber exports go up 61 pct in 10 months
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has seen a 61 percent rise in the exports of rubber latex in the first ten months of this year, compared with the same period last year, showed the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.
It said, from January to October this year, the country had exported a total of 37,700 tons of rubber latex, 61 percent rise from 23,350 tons at the same period last year.
The country earned the total revenues of 171 million U.S. dollars during the first ten months of this year, up 171 percent from 63 million U.S. dollars it earned at the same period last year.
Cambodia’s rubber latex has been exported to Malaysia, Vietnam, China and South Korea.
Rubber was among the top priority crops that Cambodian government set to develop. In the future, the crop would be the second leading income earner after rice paddy, the Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Nov. 23 during the 16th Government-Private Sector Forum.
Currently, the country has grown about 210,000 hectares of rubber plantations, most of them are young crops, which have not yet yielded, according to the statistics of the Agriculture Ministry’s Rubber Department.
Vietnam is the leading country investing in rubber plantations in Cambodia with up to 100,000 hectares of concessional land.
It said, from January to October this year, the country had exported a total of 37,700 tons of rubber latex, 61 percent rise from 23,350 tons at the same period last year.
The country earned the total revenues of 171 million U.S. dollars during the first ten months of this year, up 171 percent from 63 million U.S. dollars it earned at the same period last year.
Cambodia’s rubber latex has been exported to Malaysia, Vietnam, China and South Korea.
Rubber was among the top priority crops that Cambodian government set to develop. In the future, the crop would be the second leading income earner after rice paddy, the Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Nov. 23 during the 16th Government-Private Sector Forum.
Currently, the country has grown about 210,000 hectares of rubber plantations, most of them are young crops, which have not yet yielded, according to the statistics of the Agriculture Ministry’s Rubber Department.
Vietnam is the leading country investing in rubber plantations in Cambodia with up to 100,000 hectares of concessional land.
Globe's largest landmine meeting ends, adopting Phnom Penh Progress Report
by Nguon Sovan
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Meeting of the States Parties (11MSP) of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, concluded here on Friday afternoon with the adoption of Phnom Penh Progress Report toward a mine-free world, and with a strong recommitment to overcome remaining challenges.
“The 11MSP has come to an end with a huge success,” Prak Sokhonn, minister attached to the Prime Minister of Cambodia and 11MSP president, said at a press conference to conclude the week-long meeting. “The Convention’s 158 States Parties had adopted the Phnom Penh Progress Report toward a mine-free world.”
He said that the report focused on mine clearance achievements, mine victim assistance, globalisation of the Convention, and mine destruction by States Parties.
“It also lays out strategy to broaden international cooperation and to mobilize resources to achieve the Convention,” he said.
Sokhonn said that during the 11MSP, the Convention’s 158 States Parties agreed to recommit, even in difficult financial times, to realizing a world without anti-personnel mines, where the rights of all are respected and where all women, girls, boys and men can live in dignity and prosperity.
He said the 11MSP also expressed “deep concern about new use of anti-personnel mines” and requested that the UN Secretary General write to each State not party to the Convention “to strongly encourage these States to ratify of accede to the Convention.”
During the meeting, several States Parties to the Convention had pledged their financial support, he said. The Netherlands declared 20 million U.S. dollars annual contribution to demining and victim assistance, Austria declared mine action funding in 2012 to approximately 2.5 million U.S. dollars, and it also reported its first ever contribution to demining and victim assistance in Cambodia, announcing contributions totaling 540,000 U.S. dollars.
In addition, New Zealand announced that it will contribute more than 1 million U.S. dollars in 2012 for a demining project in north-eastern Cambodia.
Moreover, he said, in the meeting, Tuvalu and South Sudan took their seats as the Convention’s newest adherents and Finland announced that it is on the verge of becoming the 159th to join the convention.
Two States Parties—Nigeria and Burundi—declared completion of their mine clearance obligations, while Turkey reported the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines, he said.
The 11MSP began in Cambodia on Nov. 27, bringing together more than 100 State Parties of the Convention and 15 observing countries including the United States, China, Russia, Myanmar, and Singapore.
Amongst the observers, Sokhonn said, the U.S. reported that it is continuing to review its landmine policy and Myanmar indicated that “thorough study of the treaty will be continued.”
Nicole Hogg, legal adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Arms Unit, said the 11MSP had concluded with a lot of achievements and success; however, there were remaining many challenges on the issues of victim assistance—many survivors continued to face significant challenges and difficulties.
“Land mine survivors and other people with disabilities often do not have equal opportunity for education and employment,” she said in the press conference. “Even, we’ve been for 20 years in this area, much work remains to be done, more commitment is needed from States Parties and more technical and financial support is required.”
She said another challenge was too slow mine clearance, many States Parties requested for extension.
Meanwhile, Song Kosal, Cambodian landmine survivor and Youth Ambassador of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), said the landmine survivors welcomed progress made at the global mine-ban conference, but said much more must be done as casualty toll continues to rise.
“In 1997, we won a treaty. But only when all people in mine affected areas can live in dignity, when no more mines threaten their lives, when no one produces or lays new mines, have we truly won,” she said.
The Ottawa Convention is formally the Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction.
It was adopted in Oslo in 1997, opened for signature in Ottawa the same year and entered into force in 1999. To date, 158 states have joined the Convention.
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Meeting of the States Parties (11MSP) of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, concluded here on Friday afternoon with the adoption of Phnom Penh Progress Report toward a mine-free world, and with a strong recommitment to overcome remaining challenges.
“The 11MSP has come to an end with a huge success,” Prak Sokhonn, minister attached to the Prime Minister of Cambodia and 11MSP president, said at a press conference to conclude the week-long meeting. “The Convention’s 158 States Parties had adopted the Phnom Penh Progress Report toward a mine-free world.”
He said that the report focused on mine clearance achievements, mine victim assistance, globalisation of the Convention, and mine destruction by States Parties.
“It also lays out strategy to broaden international cooperation and to mobilize resources to achieve the Convention,” he said.
Sokhonn said that during the 11MSP, the Convention’s 158 States Parties agreed to recommit, even in difficult financial times, to realizing a world without anti-personnel mines, where the rights of all are respected and where all women, girls, boys and men can live in dignity and prosperity.
He said the 11MSP also expressed “deep concern about new use of anti-personnel mines” and requested that the UN Secretary General write to each State not party to the Convention “to strongly encourage these States to ratify of accede to the Convention.”
During the meeting, several States Parties to the Convention had pledged their financial support, he said. The Netherlands declared 20 million U.S. dollars annual contribution to demining and victim assistance, Austria declared mine action funding in 2012 to approximately 2.5 million U.S. dollars, and it also reported its first ever contribution to demining and victim assistance in Cambodia, announcing contributions totaling 540,000 U.S. dollars.
In addition, New Zealand announced that it will contribute more than 1 million U.S. dollars in 2012 for a demining project in north-eastern Cambodia.
Moreover, he said, in the meeting, Tuvalu and South Sudan took their seats as the Convention’s newest adherents and Finland announced that it is on the verge of becoming the 159th to join the convention.
Two States Parties—Nigeria and Burundi—declared completion of their mine clearance obligations, while Turkey reported the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines, he said.
The 11MSP began in Cambodia on Nov. 27, bringing together more than 100 State Parties of the Convention and 15 observing countries including the United States, China, Russia, Myanmar, and Singapore.
Amongst the observers, Sokhonn said, the U.S. reported that it is continuing to review its landmine policy and Myanmar indicated that “thorough study of the treaty will be continued.”
Nicole Hogg, legal adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Arms Unit, said the 11MSP had concluded with a lot of achievements and success; however, there were remaining many challenges on the issues of victim assistance—many survivors continued to face significant challenges and difficulties.
“Land mine survivors and other people with disabilities often do not have equal opportunity for education and employment,” she said in the press conference. “Even, we’ve been for 20 years in this area, much work remains to be done, more commitment is needed from States Parties and more technical and financial support is required.”
She said another challenge was too slow mine clearance, many States Parties requested for extension.
Meanwhile, Song Kosal, Cambodian landmine survivor and Youth Ambassador of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), said the landmine survivors welcomed progress made at the global mine-ban conference, but said much more must be done as casualty toll continues to rise.
“In 1997, we won a treaty. But only when all people in mine affected areas can live in dignity, when no more mines threaten their lives, when no one produces or lays new mines, have we truly won,” she said.
The Ottawa Convention is formally the Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction.
It was adopted in Oslo in 1997, opened for signature in Ottawa the same year and entered into force in 1999. To date, 158 states have joined the Convention.
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