Cambodia calls for more active participation to fight TB

PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia celebrated the World TB Day on Saturday, calling for more active participation from all concerned parties to help the country to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in 2015.

In a message to mark the day, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Cambodia has seen success in fighting tuberculosis and the disease treatment services have covered all 1,080 health centers throughout the country.

He said the death rate from TB had also sharply declined from 153 deaths among 100,000 patients in 1990 to 61 deaths in 2010, a drop of 61 percent.

"This figure showed that Cambodia has already achieved the MDG of the 50 percent reduction by 2015," he said.

For the infection rate, the premier said, the tuberculosis infection prevalence rate declined from 1,258 cases among 100,000 people in 1990 to 660 cases in 2010, down 47 percent.

"We almost reach the MDG of the 50 percent reduction by 2015," he said.

Despite the success, Cambodia is still one of the 22 high TB burden countries in the world, he said.

Around 62,000 people are estimated to suffer from TB each year and almost 9,000 Cambodians with TB die annually.

"On this occasion, I'd like to appeal to all ministries, institutions, all levels of authorities, national and international concerned parties, and common people to actively support every activity in fighting against TB in order to help Cambodia achieve the MDG successfully," said the premier.

The Saturday's celebration was presided over by the Minister of Health Mam Bunheng and Pieter van Maaren, the representative of the World Health Organization to Cambodia, and attended by some 400 health officials, TB patients, and students.

At the event, Pieter hailed Cambodia for its strong efforts to reduce the death and infection rates of TB in Cambodia, saying that with the above mentioned results, he believed that the country would be able to achieve the MDG in 2015. Read more!

Cambodia's ruling party president elected f senate president

PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Chea Sim, 80, was elected the president of the Senate in the third legislature on Saturday.

All 60 senators, who were present during the session, had unanimously voted for Chea Sim as the president, bringing him as the president of the Senate in three straight mandates since the Senate's establishment in 1999.

The senators had also voted for Say Chhum, chairman of the Permanent Committee of the Standing Committee of the CPP, as the 1st vice-president, and Tep Ngorn of the CPP as the 2nd vice- president.

Speaking after the votes, Chea Sim expressed profound thanks to all the Senators for electing him as the president and the other two CPP's Senators as the 1st and 2nd vice-presidents.

"We'd like to say thanks to all of you for giving confidence in us and let us lead this top legislative body," he said. "We' re committed to working more active in this mandate in order to help the government of Cambodia in building the nation."

The third mandate of the Senate was officially in function on Saturday after the non-universal elections in January, in which the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 46 seats and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), the country's main opposition party, gained the remaining 11.

The elections were voted by Members of Parliaments and commune councilors.

The third mandate of the Senate consists of 61 Senators including 46 from the CPP, 11 from the SRP, 2 appointed by the King Norodom Sihamoni, and 2 nominated by the National Assembly.

The Senate, or the upper house, was established in 1999 with a term of six years. Read more!

Export Assistance Program Cambodia to Offer New Natural Sedge Mats, Eco-Friendly Handbags and iPad Cases at Hong Kong Trade Fairs

Hundreds of quality products featured at Global Sources’ China Sourcing Fairs: Home Products, booth #7L16 Apr. 20-23; Fashion Accessories Apr. 27-30, booth #7S31, Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 24, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The social enterprise Export Assistance Program Cambodia (http://www.ExportServiceCentre.com/Cambodia) will showcase new product lines, natural sedge products and eco-friendly reused-net bags at Global Sources China Sourcing Fairs at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo (http://www.chinasourcingfair.com): Home Products show booth #7L16, Apr. 20-23 and at Fashion Accessories booth #7S31, Apr. 27-30.

Products on display will be natural sedge mats, including area mats, exercise mats, placemats and fashion bags in assorted colors all handmade by skilled artisans. Eco-friendly products made from recycled rice bags and re-used nets range from handbags, shoulder bags, and wallets to iPhone, iPad cases and laptop cases. These are all handmade by disabled and underprivileged producers who embrace fair trade principles.

“Products of natural sedge is our new line. We believe buyers will love these lovely products due to the environmental-friendly nature and that they are hand-woven,” said Sokneang Chhour, export manager of the Export Assistance Program Cambodia.

“We welcome mixed orders starting at just $500. Buyers can test our products in their markets before committing to larger orders. Plus, buyers may elect to use our personalized services including sourcing and sampling, QC and door-to-door shipping.”

Easy imports – complete service to buyers

The Export Assistance Program offers a one-stop sourcing hub for quality products handmade in Cambodia.

One buyer, David Adema, an online-shop retailer in U.S. said: “I liked the sedge exercise mats on my first sight. They look unique and very competitive by its nature. I am importing some now to test in my markets.”

Another buyer, Dustin Butler, president of Forest Blends, LLC. in U.S said: “The Export Service Centre has gone above and beyond our customer service expectations. They are very prompt, responsive -- and the products are great quality.

“The bags and ornaments are absolutely beautiful. When retailing to the US markets, the gold standard of quality is always expected, and their products are top notch.”

Global Sources – corporate social responsibility

As one of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, China Sourcing Fair organizer Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL www.globalsources.com) donated the booth space for the Export Assistance Program Cambodia. The program is a social enterprise of the Kearny Alliance, and its aim is to create jobs for needy, hardworking people in Cambodia.

About The Kearny Alliance
The Kearny Alliance (http://www.kearnyalliance.org), a US nonprofit 501 (c) (3) foundation, partners with other international organizations to further its mission of Aid through Trade, to advance international development and poverty alleviation through trade-related business, education, training and applied research.

Key programmatic areas include:
* Job creation for small & medium producers: Through the Developing Country Export Assistance Program (http://kearnyalliance.org/sourcingreports), the Kearny Alliance connects smaller exporters in developing Asia with buyers worldwide. Surveys of our supplier-beneficiaries in India, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia show they have received $829,792 in export orders, and expect more than $6,011,169 to develop in the next 12 months.

* Education & skills development: The Kearny Alliance offers stipend support for students from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao and mainland China to study in Hong Kong, Thailand, The Philippines and the US. The dozens of Kearny Alliance Scholars receive internships and on-the-job training in export-related companies and organizations in ten countries.

* Trade policy research: We believe that the health of the global economy and peace between nations depend on countries having productive trade relationships, which requires open, fact-based dialogues. Our approach is to encourage dialogue by promoting fact, infusing clarity, and explaining why trade issues matter to individuals, communities, nations, and the world. One major initiative is www.FutureofUSChinaTrade.Com, an online center for data, analysis, and insightful discussion on U.S. - China trade. Read more!