Gavroche has selected for you some notable news in Cambodia during this past week. An essential overview of the news for anyone interested in this South-East Asian country.
Monarchy
Cambodia marked the 20th anniversary of the coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni with a series of festivities spanning three days, from October 28 to 30. The celebrations began with religious ceremonies and blessing rituals within the royal palace, and concluded with a large public meeting in honor of the monarch. Thousands of Cambodians, including government officials, military personnel and members of the royal family, gathered in front of the palace to pay their respects to the king. To mark this historic event, the royal government declared October 29 a public holiday. A photographic exhibition chronicling the life and reign of Her Majesty was also launched, offering the public a glimpse of the notable moments of her journey.
King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree specifying the procedures for granting and withdrawing the title of Oknha, intended to honor the remarkable contributions of Cambodian citizens to the country's development. This decree defines clear criteria for the award of this prestigious title, recognizing exceptional actions in the social, humanitarian, cultural and economic fields. An interministerial commission was set up to examine and evaluate the applications, guaranteeing a rigorous and impartial selection. The decree also introduces provisions for removal of the title in cases of inappropriate behavior or violation of national laws, ensuring that the Oknha title remains a symbol of integrity and positive contribution.
Chine
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Norodom Sihamoni, China offered Cambodia a sumptuous present: a procession of 12 luxury cars from the Hongqi brand, intended for royal travel. This gift demonstrates the deep friendship between the two countries and highlights the importance of King Sihamoni in maintaining Cambodia's stability and prosperity. On the occasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his congratulations to the king and reaffirmed China's unwavering commitment to supporting Cambodia's development.
Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak said the strong relationship between Cambodia and China, strengthened by the Belt and Road Initiative, has particularly benefited developing countries. At the third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao, the new green energy cooperation plan (2024-2029) was announced, providing for at least five joint R&D projects and collaborations in hydrogen, energy storage, advanced nuclear and carbon capture. Energy ministers praised China's role in the global energy transition and its support for developing countries for increased access to clean energy.
Economy
Representatives of the Cambodian agricultural sector say they are satisfied with the reception received at SIAL 2024 in Paris. Rice remains the flagship product, with 446,000 tonnes exported between January and September 2024, including around 229,000 tonnes to the EU (nearly 50% for France). Cashew nuts, another Cambodian pride, reached 560,000 tonnes of exports over the same period, although 80% went to Vietnam for processing. However, the construction of a large cashew processing plant in Kampong Thom province, planned for March 2025, could reverse this trend. Finally, cassava, up sharply (+160% compared to 2023), saw its exports reach 2 million tonnes, mainly destined for Thailand and Vietnam for processing. Although the quality of Cambodian products is recognized, their local processing remains a major challenge.
Over the first nine months of the year, the European Union remains the second destination for Cambodian exports, representing 16.3% of the total (3.3 billion USD), a figure close to that of 2023 (15.9%, or 2.8 billion USD). Exports remain dominated by textile articles, notably clothing, leather, and travel articles, which account for 87% of shipments (2.9 billion USD), compared to 80% last year (2.3 billion USD). This increase is mainly due to the decline in bicycle exports. Imports from Europe remain stable, reaching 743 million USD, compared to 755 million USD in 2023. They mainly consist of furs and furs (355 million USD, 48%) and electrical machines (49 million USD, 7%). On the other hand, imports of iron and steel articles as well as pharmaceutical products fell significantly, falling to USD 7 million and USD 40 million respectively (compared to USD 36 and 80 million in 2023).
The digitalization of public services is progressing in Cambodia. After the e-visa, the e-arrival card compulsory since July, and the acquisition of surveillance drones for forest guards, Cambodian customs is modernizing its online customs clearance system. Now, the Intellectual Property Rights Recordation System (IPRRS) allows for the tracking, registration, renewal and protection of intellectual property rights upon importation. This system aims for increased productivity, enhanced efficiency and a more transparent economic environment. Although operational, it remains in the running-in phase, and complaints must still be filed physically. The Director General of Taxes also announced the launch of a single application for filing and paying taxes, replacing the current 79 programs.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted an $80 million loan to Cambodia to modernize secondary education. The project aims to strengthen 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity and inclusion, while facilitating access to higher education. It plans to build 400 classrooms to reduce overcrowding and improve access to quality education. Teacher training will be strengthened to develop skills sought by employers, particularly in STEM fields. The project also includes assistive technologies to support students with disabilities.
Company
Cambodian authorities have refuted allegations of human trafficking and torture in Kampong Speu province, after a police operation that led to the arrest of more than a thousand foreigners, mostly Chinese, at a compound linked to Chinese companies. Despite initial concerns, investigations revealed no evidence of mistreatment, indicating that the foreign workers were legally employed under normal conditions. This incident highlights the challenges of regulating foreign companies and raises questions about the working conditions of migrants in Cambodia.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports announced the results of the secondary school diploma examination, which was held on October 8, 2024. Of the 134,000 candidates, 106,351 passed the exam, a success rate of 79%. Detailed results will be published on October 30 for Phnom Penh and Kandal, and on October 31 for the other provinces.
A police operation carried out on the night of October 30 at a popular night club in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, led to the arrest of around 100 people, both Cambodians and foreigners. These people were questioned and tested for drug use. This operation aims to strengthen security and combat illegal activities in the region.
Tourism, Culture
Kampot province is strengthening its security with the installation of surveillance cameras. Local authorities aim to improve the safety of residents and domestic and international tourists by equipping cities and districts with surveillance cameras. Kampot provincial police chief Major General Mao Chanmathurith said the aim is to install cameras in key areas, including near schools, markets, town centers and tourist sites. Although significant progress has been made, more work remains to be done to cover the entire province. This initiative aims to reassure tourists and strengthen the overall security of Kampot province.
A Norwegian cruise ship, the “Viking Orion”, docked at the autonomous port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. On board, 869 tourists of 21 different nationalities, including 448 women, disembarked for a day's visit. The majority of tourists were American. The ship, which has 463 crew members of 41 different nationalities, has left Vietnam and plans to sail to Thailand. This visit contributes to strengthening the maritime tourism sector in Cambodia and promoting the country's tourism destinations.
A recent study in the Central Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia revealed the presence of 108 wildlife species, 23 of which are threatened with extinction. This discovery highlights the importance of this region for global biodiversity. Listed species include the dhole, a rare predator, as well as the Asian elephant, clouded leopard and Asian black bear. These results confirm the crucial role of Cambodian forests in preserving biodiversity and highlight the need for continued conservation efforts.
The Ministry of Tourism held a meeting with representatives of the South Korean Embassy in Cambodia, the Korean Association, as well as Cambodian-Korean private sector stakeholders, to discuss concerns raised by a Korean television report which has tarnished the image of Cambodia. During the meeting, the ministry reaffirmed that Cambodia remains a safe country for foreign investors and tourists, including those from South Korea. Cambodian authorities have expressed their determination to combat crime, whether traditional or online, to ensure the country's security and stability. For their part, the Korean Association and other stakeholders highlighted the security and harmony of the business climate in Cambodia, thus encouraging Korean citizens to continue their visits and investments in the country.
Kampot province is preparing to host the 11th edition of the Sea Festival, which will take place from December 13 to 15, 2024. This event aims to promote the tourism potential of Cambodia's coastal areas while raising awareness about resource protection marine life and the preservation of the coastal environment. The festival will highlight the region's rich cultural heritage and coastal sustainability initiatives. This year, Kampot expects to attract a large number of tourists, both domestic and international, like the previous edition, which recorded more than 260,000 visitors to Kep.
A new report from travel comparison site Skyscanner reveals Australian interest in Siem Reap, Cambodia, has exploded by more than 500 per cent. According to Skyscanner's “Travel Trends 2025” report, Siem Reap, home of the famous Angkor temple complex, is the most popular destination for Australians for the coming year, with an impressive increase of 529%. The report highlights that “vibrant hangouts saw the biggest increases in searches over the past 12 months”, and states that “Siem Reap is the must-visit city for admiring the famous Angkor Wat temple.” This iconic landmark continues to attract visitors, largely thanks to its increased notoriety following the film “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”. In comparison, the town of Krabi in Thailand, although also popular, only saw an increase of 141%, being far outdone by Siem Reap.
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