British investors interested in pig rearing, bio-fuel in Cambodia

A group of British investors have expressed interest in cooperative investment in pig-rearing and jatropha growing in Cambodia, local media reported on Tuesday.

The investors showed their interest after visiting some agro- industrial farms in Sihanoukville Municipality and Koh Kong province on Sunday, reported Cambodian-language newspaper the Kampuchea Thmey.

British Ambassador David Reader said during the visit that he had brought two important British companies to observe the sites, operated by the Cambodian Mong Reththy Group. In the future many other UK firms will arrive in the kingdom to cooperate with the group for the development of the nation's agricultural and agro- industrial sectors.

Stephen J. Curtis, the executive chairman of ACMC, an East Yorkshire-based pig breeding and pig genetics company, said that his company was interested in cooperating with the Mong Reththy Group as Cambodia has strong potential to provide favorable conditions for industrial-scale pig-rearing.

Mong Reththy, director of the Mong Reththy Group, said that foreign investors seemed very keen on pig rearing and jatropha planting in Cambodia, and his company is ready to work with the foreign investors.

"If the plan can be operated, it would be a proud moment for the nation and its people," the director added.

Source: Xinhua Read more!

Cambodia To Destroy Thousands Of Confiscated Firearms

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - The Japanese Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia announced on Monday the destruction of thousands of small firearms collected from various provinces in Cambodia. The group, also called JSAC, said they will burn 7,000 small arms under the "flame of peace" program on September 19.

In a statement, JSAC said the arms were collected in the Battambang province, while some were surrendered by residents from Kompon, Thom, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

The group said the burning would be the 12th and final ceremony supported by JSAC as the Japanese organization is set to complete its weapons collection and destruction program this September.

With the closure of the program, the district governors of the Battambang district, would be in charge in keeping security, and safety of their area and keep it weapon-free.

Read more!

10th Asian Cartoon Exhibition opens in Cambodia for environmental issues

The 10th Asian Cartoon Exhibition opens in Phnom Penh on Monday with the theme of "Asian Environmental Issues".

The exhibition is being held in the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC) in Phnom Penh from Sept. 17 to 29, a CJCC press release said.

It displays 77 new cartoons of leading cartoonists from 10 Asian nations, namely China, Cambodia, Japan, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, it said.

Each cartoon presents various perspectives of the cartoonists on the topic of environmental issues in each country, it added.

Cambodian cartoonist Em Sothya appeared Monday at the opening of the exhibition and explained his works about illegal logging to the audience.

The Japan Foundation has been sponsoring the Asian Cartoon Exhibition every year as a contribution to the greater understanding of Asian societies, cultures and people through the widely appreciated medium of cartoons, the press release said, adding that this year the exhibition is held by the Japan Foundation in cooperation with CJCC.

Source: Xinhua Read more!

Cambodia to create wildlife sanctuary in Takeo

Phnom Penh, Sept. 18 (Xinhua): The Cambodian Council of Ministers has approved a sub-decree to establish a protected area of around 8,000 hectares of wetlands in Takeo province for endangered cranes and other wildlife, local media said on Monday.

The sanctuary, which will be created around the Prek Lpov Lake in Borei Cholsar and Koh Andaet districts, aims to preserve cranes, other bird species, aquatic animals and plants that are critically endangered, said Cambodian-language newspaper the Kampuchea Thmey.

The sanctuary will be divided into a "core zone," to which access is highly restricted, and a "buffer zone," said Agriculture Secretary of State Chan Tong Yves, reported English-language newspaper the Cambodia Daily.

However, Yves said that he did not know when the approved sanctuary will be established.

Read more!