By Associated Press
TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- More than 80 Idaho Army National Guard troops are getting ready to go back overseas - this time for a peaceful mission in Cambodia.
The troops from the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team will be working providing a variety of training services, including to Cambodian Royal Army engineering and medical personnel.
The Times-News reports the peacekeeping and humanitarian mission will take place from March 13-23.
Col. Tim Marsano says the mission helps Idaho troops better prepare for overseas deployments and operations.
The project gives troops a chance to provide medical attention to underserved populations in the area, including dental and eye care and regular medical procedures.
Last year, troops provided medical treatment to more than 5,000 Cambodians and helped build a small school and drinking water system.
Read more!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Idaho Troops Poised For Peaceful Trip To Cambodia
Puma officials go to Cambodia after factory shooting
FRANKFURT, Feb 23 (Reuters) - German sportwear maker Puma (Xetra: 696960 - news) sent officials to investigate working conditions in Cambodia after a local woman working for one of its suppliers was shot during a labour protest on Monday.
The woman, who was employed by Kaoway Sports, was shot during a protest by employees of several factories calling for better working conditions and increased pay.
Puma said it is paying for the medical costs of the woman, who is receiving treatment at a hospital in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
Puma said its safety directors in Asia were working with non-governmental organisations, other brands and trade unions to come up with ways to improve the safety and well-being of employees in its supplier factories.
"We are very aware that the working situation in Cambodia is problematic so that's why we're in the process of talking at an industry-wide level," a Puma spokeswoman told Reuters.
Garment exports were Cambodia's biggest currency earner last year. The sector employs more than 300,000 helping to feed thousands of families in a country where a third of the population live on $1 a day.
The industry generated $4.2 billion in exports last year but has been plagued by pay disputes, mass faintings and illness among workers, believed to be brought on by sweat-shop working conditions.
Puma said Kaoway had on Friday agreed to improve pay for its workers, offering them a $10 monthly transport subsidy and a daily subsidy of $0.50.
Two other young women working for Kaoway Sports were also injured on Monday, human rights organisations LICADHO and CLERC said.
A different Puma supplier in Cambodia was placed under investigation last year after a mass fainting. Other big brands that use Cambodian suppliers include H&M (Stockholm: HMB.ST - news) , Nike, Marks & Spencer (Dusseldorf: MA6.DU - news) , New Balance and Gap .
A panel of international and local judges earlier this month called on garment factories in Cambodia to urgently increase employees' salaries and pressed big international clothing brands to do more to improve working conditions. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan Editing by Maria Golovnina)
Read more!
Stronger economic growth for Cambodia in 2012
SINGAPORE: Cambodia's central bank expects economic growth in 2012 to accelerate to its fastest pace in four years.
The director general of the policy-setting institution told Channel NewsAsia that new investments in agriculture and banking will lead the way.
Garment-making has been a mainstay of Cambodia's fledgling economy. It has ticked over at between six and seven percent annually for the past four years.
But, the government is now turning its focus back to the land in the hope that rice growing and other farming produce will lift growth closer to eight per cent, making it among the world's fastest growing economies.
According to a source from the International Monetary Fund, Cambodia's yearly average GDP growth rate over the last ten years is 7.7 per cent.
The Asian Development Bank's growth projection for Cambodia in 2012 is 6.5 per cent.
National Bank of Cambodia's Director General, Nguon Sokha, said: "One of the priorities of the government is to develop the agriculture sector. At the moment, growth is driven by garment sector, tourism sector and construction. Cambodia is an agriculture land so we need to develop based on our natural resource."
ASEAN economies are expected to grow some 5.5 per cent this year. And with more foreign direct investment (FDI) coming into the region, the Asian Development Bank said emerging markets like Cambodia should leverage off China's increasing presence in the region and make better use of the regional connectivity in order to fully realise its growth potential."
More than 50 per cent of Cambodia's FDI comes from China but there are impediments that must be addressed.
Asian Development Bank's Assistant Chief Economist, Cyn-Young Park, said: "Cambodia faces significant infrastructure deficiency in both physical and soft infrastructure. Cambodia has already expressed that there are some skills mismatched in various areas. They are trying to invest a lot in vocational training that really matches the jobs that are being created for the future."
More of such jobs may soon be found in banking, which has relatively liberal foreign ownership rules compared to its neighbours.
Mr Sokha said: "There are a lot more interest from foreign investors to enter the banking industry in Cambodia given the good economic potential, macroeconomic stability and political stability. We need to balance between the need to establish a fair competition in the banking sector in order to reduce the cost in using the financial services for our consumer. But at the same time, we also need to look into the components, like risk management."
But with other frontier markets like Myanmar opening up, Cambodia may have new competitors for that foreign money.
- CNA/fa .
Read more!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ADB provides Cambodia 69 mln USD for provincial road improvement
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed up to provide 69 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia to support a major upgrade of provincial roads in some of the country ' s poorest provinces, according to the bank's press release on Wednesday.
According to the press conference, the loan agreement was inked between the ADB's Vice-President Stephen Groff and Cambodia's Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon yesterday.
The provincial roads improvement project, financed by a 52 million dollar loan from ADB's Special Funds and a 17 million dollar loan and grant from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), will be used to rehabilitate about 150 kilometers of unpaved provincial roads in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces, homes found a large number of the country's rural poor.
"Efficient transport is critical for economic growth. This initiative will provide safe, cost effective and year-round access to markets, employment centers and social services for poor and remote communities," Groff said.
The press release said Cambodia's remote rural economy is becoming increasingly dependent on the road network. However, only 11 percent of the total 9,500 kilometer secondary national and provincial roads are paved. As a result, economic opportunities are limited.
Moreover, the transportation safety has become a serious concern with the steady growth in traffic, overloaded cargo vehicles, and poor road maintenance, which all caused the highest accident rate in the region.
Since the early 1990s, ADB has supported Cambodia to build or upgrade its road network including national, provincial and rural roads.
By the end of 2011, ADB's assistance to the transport sector consisted of 11 projects amounting to 373 million U.S. dollars.
It said the ADB's loan for the Provincial Road Improvement Project, from its concessional Special Funds, will have 32 year term including an eight-year grace period carrying a 1 per annum interest charge, rising to 1.5 percent a year for the balance of the term.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the executing agency for the project, which will commence in April 2012 and be completed in March 2017.
Read more!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Fuel feud leaves tourists stranded at Angkor Wat
Travelers headed for Angkor Wat in Cambodia wait in the departure hall of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday after their Tonlesap Airlines flight was canceled because the airline owes what Far EasternAir Transport says is more than NT$3 million in fuel costs.Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei TimesLEASE:Far Eastern Air Transport accused Tonlesap of failing to pay US$100,000 in fuel charges and suspended flights. The Cambodian airline denies the allegations
By Shelley Shan / Staff Reporter
More than 200 Taiwanese tourists traveling to and from Angkor Wat in Cambodia were delayed yesterday after Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT) unexpectedly suspended its flights to the world heritage site.
The Taiwanese airline, which resumed services in April last year, leased one of its aircraft and cabin crew to Tonlesap Airlines in Cambodia, which offers charter flights to Angkor Wat.
However, the Cambodian carrier has failed to pay FAT accumulated fuel charges of NT$3 million (US$100,000), FAT said.
FAT’s decision to suspend the flights delayed trips for 255 Taiwanese tourists, Tonlesap Airlines said.
FAT spokesperson Kevin Yang (楊天佑) said the company had been trying to collect the charges from Tonlesap, but the Cambodian carrier had ignored the requests.
“The payment was due on Monday and Tonlesap has not paid the money owed. We decided to stop the service,” Yang said, adding that the company was a victim as well.
Tonlesap denies the allegations. The Cambodian airline said in a statement that it had paid FAT about NT$4.43 million as a guarantee, adding that a dispute remained over about NT$1 million.
Tonlesap said it had tried to negotiate with FAT, but it had yet to receive any goodwill response from the Taiwanese company.
“We sent a legal attestation letter to FAT on Monday requesting it to resolve the dispute based on the terms of the contract,” Tonlesap said in a statement. “FAT’s unilateral act has damaged the interests of the passengers. We will actively protect the passengers and seek restitution from FAT.”
The unexpected move by FAT angered tourists who had arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport early in the morning to catch the flight.
“If they wanted to cancel the flight, they should have told us at least a day in advance,” an angry female passenger told a reporter. “Now we’re here and have already taken days off from work and they tell us the flight has been canceled. What’s this?”
The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said Tonlesap had dispatched a Boeing 737-200 aircraft to carry the Taiwanese passengers back to Taiwan, which was scheduled to arrive at Taoyuan at 7:15pm yesterday, adding that the Cambodian airline must bring back all the stranded Taiwanese tourists at Angkor Wat who were scheduled to board its flight.
The CAA has also asked Tonlesap to provide a copy of its flight schedule from now until the end of this month so that it could monitor its service.
The CAA added that while it would not intervene in the dispute, it would accept passenger complaints and help them seek compensation from Tonlesap.
The agency said that while it had heard rumors of the dispute between the two airlines, it did not expect FAT to suspend the flight service this way.
FAT said that Tonlesap is run by Alex Lou (樓文豪), who is accused of involvement in siphoning funds belonging to FAT three years ago.
After being detained for two months, Lou was released on NT$4 million bail and barred from leaving the country.
FAT said that it then sought compensation of NT$790 million from Lou after the airline resumed operations last year. Lou then convinced FAT he could help the carrier expand its operations by negotiating aviation agreements with Cambodia, Palau and other countries, and was able to go to these countries because of the petition from FAT, it said.
Aside from the unpaid bills, FAT also accused Lou of insider trading of FAT shares and transferring those gains to Tonlesap and other airlines he owns, adding that it had requested prosecutors to investigate Lou.
The CAA said FAT’s finances were not sound, adding that it had failed to keep a cash flow of NT$150 million, one of the main requirements the CAA had insisted on for FAT to continue operations. Read more!
Cambodian media publish K. Rouge jailer's apology
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court said Tuesday that media in the kingdom were publishing an apology by a Khmer Rouge jailer imprisoned for life in a bid to provide "reparation" to genocide victims.
Kaing Guek Eav, who oversaw the deaths of some 15,000 people at S-21 prison in the late 1970s, earlier this month had his punishment for war crimes and crimes against humanity increased on appeal.
The court said that statements of apology and acknowledgements of responsibility made by the defendant -- better known as Duch -- during his trial were being published in newspapers, websites as well as radio and television stations starting on Tuesday.
"The publishing of these statements is one form of reparation for the victims," tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen told AFP.
Chum Mey, 81, one of the few survivors to leave S-21 alive, welcomed the initiative.
"It's right to publish the statements through newspapers, radio, and television stations because more people would see and hear the words," he said.
During his nine-month trial Duch repeatedly apologised for his role at S-21, but later surprised the court by asking to be acquitted.
Led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge was responsible for one of the worst horrors of the 20th century, wiping out up to two million people through starvation, overwork and execution.
A second trial involving the regime's three most senior surviving leaders opened late last year.
Unlike the UN tribunals set up overseas to deal with war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the Cambodian tribunal was created in the country where the Khmer Rouge massacres were committed.
It aims to communicate its methods and results with the Cambodian people, in order to foster greater public understanding of a chapter of history still largely overlooked by local school textbooks.
Read more!
Gunfire hits at least 3 striking Cambodian workers
At least three striking garment workers were wounded by gunshots Monday while protesting outside their factory in southeastern Cambodia.
Keo Kong, police chief of Bavet town in Svay Rieng province, said three women were hurt, one seriously, by an unknown gunman who fired at them when the protest by more than 1,000 workers turned rowdy.
The workers at the Kaoway Sports Ltd. factory have been striking since Friday to demand better working conditions and benefits.
The factory is Taiwanese-owned and makes footwear for Germany’s Puma brand, according to the Phnom Penh Post newspaper. Commerce Ministry statistics show that most of its production is shipped to Europe, especially Germany and Italy.
The Cambodian human rights group Licadho last month lamented the increasing use of armed force against protesters.
It said there had been at least five incidents in two months in which public security forces or private armed guards opened fire on people protesting land grabs, with 19 people hurt, including seven by gunfire.
Striking workers said the gunman Monday was a factory security guard. Police said the man fled the scene, and they were investigating.
Keo Kong said the shooting began after workers started throwing stones at the factory, shattering mirrored glass.
Licadho official Nuth Bopinnaroath said the victims were aged 18, 21 and 23, and the seriously injured one received a chest wound.
The factory is located in an industrial estate, the Manhattan Special Economic Zone, close to the border with Vietnam. Last week, workers at another business in the zone, Taiwanese bicycle maker Bestway Industrial Co. Ltd., ended a two-day strike after most of their demands for better working conditions were met, the Phnom Penh Post said.
Read more!
Chinese envoy unveils Chinese Corner at University of Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue on Tuesday attended the launching ceremony of Chinese Corner at the University of Cambodia and donated books and digital documents to the leading university in Cambodia.
Pan said that he hopes the Chinese Corner will help the Cambodian university students get more understanding of Chinese language and culture.
Pan also donated 189 kinds of Chinese books, 55 types of visual audio documents in addition to five computers to the university, covering many areas related to China, like language, culture, geography, society and modern technologies.
Besides, the electronic library system also donated by the Chinese ambassador is particularly eye-catching.
According to Pan, the e-library system includes 21,000 kinds of Chinese books and a large quantity of various visual audio documents, which would definitely satisfy the Cambodian students' eagerness to learn Chinese language and culture.
Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state at Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and President of University of Cambodia, expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Pan, saying the Chinese Corner and book donation will certainly help the Cambodian students, as well as public, acquire the knowledge of China in all fields.
The president said, besides the university students, the books and e-documents donated by Pan will be allowed public access.
A library staff who earned his master degree from a Chinese leading university, told Xinhua that more and more Cambodian students and citizens share the desire to study Chinese language and culture since China is growing fast both economically and politically. However, their resources are limited in terms of both publications and teaching staff.
He affirms that the Chinese Corner and books donated by Ambassador Pan will not only meet the students' studying desire, but also trigger their interest in going to China for further education.
He also says that there is a Chinese Department in the university with a very small enrollment.
Read more!
Vietnam, Cambodia promote legislative cooperation
HANOI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) External Relations Committee Tran Van Hang held talks here on Tuesday with Chairman of the Cambodian NA Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Media and Information Chheang Vun, to promote legislative ties.
Hang welcomed the visit to Vietnam by the Cambodian parliament delegates, saying the long-standing friendship and all-sided cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, including legislative agencies, have continually developed over the years.
In the current regional and global changing situation, the two countries' legislative bodies should further expand exchange of information and closely coordinate at international forums, especially in the ASEAN cooperative framework and other sub- regional mechanism, to contribute to promoting the process for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole, Hang said.
He affirmed that Vietnam has attached importance to consolidating and developing relationship and cooperation with Cambodia, considering it a valuable asset of both countries that should be well preserved for each country's development and prosperity, and for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress worldwide.
The two sides shared a view that currently the Vietnamese and Cambodian NAs are implementing the agreement on cooperation signed on April 26, 2007. After reviewing results of their cooperation obtained in the past years, they discussed about content of the memorandum of understanding on the new agreement with adjustments and supplements, which will be submitted to the two NAs for approval.
Regarding activities of the two NAs' external relations commissions, the two chairmen agreed to increase more visits and well coordinate in holding a conference of the NA External Relations Commissions of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in July in Vietnam.
Read more!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sciaroni to Represent Cambodia at US Business Conference
Former White House counsel promotes economic development in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bretton G. Sciaroni of Sciaroni & Associates will represent the Kingdom of Cambodia at the first-ever Global Business Conference hosted by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington, DC Feb. 21 and 22.
Sciaroni, senior partner at the Phnom Penh-based professional services firm, is chairman of the American Cambodian Business Council (AmCham). He has provided advice and counsel to foreign investors seeking to do business in Cambodia since 1993 and also serves as legal advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia as well as chairman of the International Business Chamber.
"It's an honor to represent Cambodia at such a high level meeting, bringing together leading businesses and representatives from around the world to discuss ways we can work together to contribute to economic prosperity," he said.
The two-day conference will feature opening remarks by Gen. Michael Hayden (“An Insider’s View of the World”) and presentations by executives of IBM, General Electric and Microsoft. More than 100 countries will be represented at the forum.
The first day of the event will feature sessions on export promotion, increasing foreign investment in the United States, creating public-private partnerships, facilitating business and leisure travel to the United States, and key policy topics of interest to businesses abroad. The second day will include breakout sessions, hosted by the State Department’s regional Assistant Secretaries, to discuss regional strategies to advance shared economic interests.
Sciaroni, who was nominated to represent Cambodia by the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, said the conference “is an opportunity to promote Cambodia as an investment destination among top US Companies.
“Given the fact that Cambodia is chairing the ASEAN summit this year, it’s perfect timing to present the country to the international business community,” he said. Sciaroni added that the Washington meeting also provides a platform to “promote the idea of a US-ASEAN business summit that is currently under active discussion.”
The conference will cover general international business subjects concerning US trade policy and the potential for international collaboration.
Sciaroni, a former White House counsel, has provided investment and legal advice to multinational companies, development agencies and the diplomatic community in Cambodia for nearly 20 years. His firm of Cambodian and expatriate staff provides counsel to many of the world’s leading companies who have investment interests in the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia.
In addition to serving as heads of the local business councils, Sciaroni, along with the Minister of Finance, co-chairs the Working Group on Law, Tax and Good Governance for the Royal Government of Cambodia.
While in Washington, Sciaroni will also attend a meeting sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss Sec. Clinton’s planned trip to Cambodia in July as well as the October ASEAN Economic Minister meetings.
About Sciaroni & Associates
Sciaroni & Associates is a leading legal and professional services firm based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since 1993, the firm has provided advice and business insight to many of the world’s leading companies as well as the Royal Government of Cambodia. Senior Partner Bretton G. Sciaroni has nearly 20 years of experience advising clients in Cambodia and is a leading contributor to the development of the Cambodian economy. Managing Partner Matthew Rendall has worked in Cambodia since 1994 and has extensive property and labor law expertise as well as considerable experience in general investment structuring. Managing Partner John Pike has more than 25 years of investment banking and legal experience in the United Kingdom and throughout Asia. The firm provides guidance and expertise in all facets of law and investment, from company creation to licensing, labor, property and government relations. Additional details may be obtained via the firm's website at http://www.sa-cambodia.com/ .
Contact:.
Sciaroni & Associates
Office Manager
Greg Regan, (855) 23 210 225
greg@sa-cambodia.com.
Read more!
Cambodia's fainting workers
Last year, more than 200,000 workers in the garment sector went on strike in protest over their pauperized working conditions. The government responded by reminding employers to strictly enforce the occupational safety and health standards required by law.
To further highlight the demands of garment workers, the Asia Floor Wage network organized Cambodia’s first ever People’s Tribunal on Minimum Living Wage and Decent Working Conditions early this month. It was also the first tribunal in the Asia-Pacific aimed at establishing a standard on the issue of fair pricing for garment manufacturers and, in particular, strengthening the bargaining power of female workers within the global supply chain.
Aside from the wage issue, the tribunal also discussed the alarming rise of mass fainting incidents in many garment factories. In 2011 alone, the Free Trade Union reported that 2,300 workers fainted in five factories. Initial investigations revealed that many workers suffered from low blood sugar, malnutrition, dehydration, food poisoning and over-exertion. The government later confirmed that the fainting cases were related to poor working conditions in many factories.
During the tribunal, workers in the “fainting factories” recalled how they regularly work for 12 to 14 hours a day while being exposed to strong chemicals in hot and poorly ventilated environments. Most of the female workers said they also have to travel long hours, standing in overcrowded trucks, to get to work each day.
To stop the fainting, factory owners merely need to ensure that occupational safety and health policies are implemented. Specifically, workers should be taught how to properly handle chemicals and electrical equipment. In addition, workers should be given time to rest at the weekend, while any overtime worked during peak factory production periods should be undertaken in compliance with the law.
The tribunal succeeded in articulating the demands of garment workers, but the proposed reforms still need to be aggressively presented to the government and the global clients of Cambodia’s garment factories. Just a week ago, 162 garment workers in a Preah Sihanouk factory were reportedly rushed to various hospitals and clinics after they fainted at work.
A few years ago, there was a global outcry over the recruitment of child workers in Southeast Asia’s infamous sweatshops, an outcry that forced Western companies, employers, buyers, and local governments to sign a pact against this unfair labor practice. Today, consumers should likewise be informed that clothing companies are able to cut the prices of goods at the expense of Cambodia’s fainting workers.
Read more!
Cambodia, China willing to further enhance cooperation in all fields: officials
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and China are willing to further promote bilateral cooperation in all fields in the framework of ASEAN-China relations, officials said Monday.
The commitment was made during the official visit of Ma Mingqiang, secretary general of ASEAN-China Center, to Cambodia.
In a meeting with Cambodia's Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, Ma Mingqiang said this was his official visit to Cambodia since the ASEAN-China Center was launched on Nov.18,2011.
"The visit aims at promoting ASEAN-China cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, and culture," he said.
Meanwhile, Thong Khon said Cambodia saw China as a big source of visitors to Cambodia in the near future.
He added that last year, Cambodia received 247,000 Chinese tourists, up 39.2 percent, making Chinese tourists the third largest arrival groups to Cambodia.
"Based on the trend, the country expects to see about 600,000 Chinese visitors here in 2015 and up to 1 million in 2020," said the minister. "To achieve this goal, we have been strengthening our tourism product quality and services, and encouraging hotels, restaurants and resorts to use Chinese language in order to meet the needs of Chinese tourists."
Cambodia and China signed tourism cooperation on Feb. 9, 1999, he said.
On Monday, Ma had also met with Pich Rithi, director general of the commerce ministry's general directorate of domestic trade, and both sides had affirmed the necessity to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation for mutual interests.
Pich Rithi said Cambodia saw China as the largest market for Cambodian agricultural products, especially rice and cassava, so that he asked Ma to help attract Chinese businesspeople and investors to do business in the fields in order to increase Cambodia's exports to China.
Ma said that through the ASEAN-China Center, he would try to promote Cambodia's investment potentials to Chinese investors and the world.
Also, on the day, Ma had met with Chea Sienghong, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, and Soeung Rathchavy, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Ma and his delegation arrived here on Feb. 19 for a 3-day visit. They will leave Cambodia for Vietnam on Tuesday.
Read more!
OZ Minerals to sell off Cambodian gold assets
OZ MINERALS announced plans yesterday to sell off its gold assets in Cambodia, closing a controversial chapter for the company that was forced to deny allegations of impropriety last year in relation to this business.
The Cambodia Daily newspaper last year alleged relatives of government officials had received hundreds of thousands of dollars after the Australian company bought out its local partner in a goldmining venture.
The newspaper said the trio were appointed in 2006, just before Shin Ha concluded a joint-venture agreement with Oxiana, headed by Owen Hegarty. The company was later named OZ Minerals after merging with Zinifex.
OZ Minerals and the Cambodian government denied any impropriety. A company spokeswoman said in July last year that an internal investigation could find no evidence of wrongdoing.
Last week this newspaper reported that documents released by the federal Attorney-General's Department under freedom of information laws showed that officials in the financial crime section were last year taking a keen interest in the allegations.
OZ Minerals has had the Cambodian business under review since April last year when it became clear that the gold exploration program was not going to yield the 2 million ounce resource the company needed to make it a starter project.
The company sold off its rights to Renaissance Minerals yesterday for $17.8 million in cash, shares and options with a further $22.5 million due if project milestones are achieved from the deposits with estimated gold reserves of 729,000 ounces.
''We have concluded that this project does not fit within OZ Minerals' strategy with regard to scale in relation to the commodity and our overall preference for mid-tier copper projects,'' said OZ Minerals chief executive Terry Burgess.
OZ Minerals sold all its operating mines, except Prominent Hill, to China Minmetals in June 2009 for $US1.39 billion after it failed to reach an agreement with its banks to repay debt.
It only survived as a separate company when the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, blocked the sale of Prominent Hill, a copper and gold mine in South Australia.
Read more!
Gunfire hits at least 3 striking Cambodian workers
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
At least three striking garment workers were wounded by gunshots Monday while protesting outside their factory in southeastern Cambodia.
Keo Kong, police chief of Bavet town in Svay Rieng province, said three women were hurt, one seriously, by an unknown gunman who fired at them when the protest by more than 1,000 workers turned rowdy.
The workers at the Kaoway Sports Ltd. factory have been striking since Friday to demand better working conditions and benefits.
The factory is Taiwanese-owned and makes footwear for Germany's Puma brand, according to the Phnom Penh Post newspaper. Commerce Ministry statistics show that most of its production is shipped to Europe, especially Germany and Italy.
The Cambodian human rights group Licadho last month lamented the increasing use of armed force against protesters.
It said there had been at least five incidents in two months in which public security forces or private armed guards opened fire on people protesting land grabs, with 19 people hurt, including seven by gunfire.
Striking workers said the gunman Monday was a factory security guard. Police said the man fled the scene, and they were investigating.
Keo Kong said the shooting began after workers started throwing stones at the factory, shattering mirrored glass.
Licadho official Nuth Bopinnaroath said the victims were aged 18, 21 and 23, and the seriously injured one received a chest wound.
The factory is located in an industrial estate, the Manhattan Special Economic Zone, close to the border with Vietnam. Last week, workers at another business in the zone, Taiwanese bicycle maker Bestway Industrial Co. Ltd., ended a two-day strike after most of their demands for better working conditions were met, the Phnom Penh Post said.
Read more!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Good ties boost investment, trade, tourism between Cambodia, China
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The bilateral relations between Cambodia and China in terms of investment, trade and tourism have become stronger in the past year thanks to the two countries' good relations, said officials Friday.
Cambodia attracted China's investments of 1.19 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, up 71 percent from 694 million U.S. dollars in a year earlier, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
China's 22 investment projects last year focused on property development, mineral business and processing plants, motorcycle assembly factories, gold mining, rice mill and garment factories.
The bilateral trades amounted to 2.5 billion U.S. dollars last year, up 73.5 percent, the highest growth rate among the bilateral trade between China and other ASEAN countries, according to the statistics provided by the Chinese Embassy.
Chheng Kimlong, an economics lecturer at the University of Cambodia, said the strong bilateral relations between the two countries are the most important factor resulting in sharp rises in the bilateral trade and investment.
In addition, he said, Cambodia has a number of potential sectors for investors and the country remains peaceful and political stability.
"These factors in combination with Cambodia's constant supports and incentives to Chinese investors, more and more Chinese see Cambodia as safe place for their investments," he said.
Cambodia attracted 247,200 Chinese tourists last year, an increase of 39 percent--the highest growth rate among foreign visitors to this impoverished country, said Tith Chantha, director general of the Tourism Ministry.
He said the sharp increase in Chinese visitors to Cambodia was due to attractive tourism sites, broad promotion and increasing direct flights.
"We hope that Cambodia will receive at least one million Chinese tourists by 2020," he said, adding that to achieve the target, the ministry has encouraged more training courses for Chinese speaking guides and urged hotels, restaurants and other entertainment facilities to use Chinese language.
Read more!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
'Cambodia vows to deepen ties between ASEAN and dialogue partners'
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - As the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, Cambodia is committed to build closer relations and cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday.
"As the ASEAN chair, Cambodia will play a model role to deepen ties between ASEAN and East Asia nations such as China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea and Japan as well as countries in the region including the United States and Australia," he said.
Cambodia wanted to see ASEAN to be stronger and more influential in order to work more effectively in regional and global levels, he said at the opening of the 2012 Cambodia Outlook Conference under the theme "Cambodia's Priorities for Inclusive Growth, Regional Integration and ASEAN Leadership."
Meanwhile, the premier highlighted the important role of China in the help to develop economics and societies in ASEAN.
"Cambodia, ASEAN member states alike, is situated very close to China, which is the world's second largest economy and the world's largest market for agricultural products," he said. "These are valuable assets and good opportunities for ASEAN to tap China's market for their social and economic development."
The premier also reiterated that as the ASEAN chair, the country would try all its best to push ASEAN to realize a community by 2015.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Read more!
Angkor Gold Corp.: Diamond Drilling Commences on the Okalla Gold Prospect
VANCOUVER, British Columbia
ANGKOR GOLD CORP. CA:ANK +9.30% ("ANGKOR") is pleased to announce that a contract for a minimum of 2000m NQ cored diamond drill holes in the Okalla Prospect on Banlung tenement, Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, has been awarded to Kluane Drilling Inc, a Canadian owned and operated contractor operating in Cambodia. The rig is on site and drilling of BL12-028 commenced on February 15, 2012.
Deployment of this rig means that the company now has 2 diamond drilling rigs working in Cambodia. An earlier press release (November 21, 2011) announced that a Cambodian company, Veriak, had started drilling on the Border prospect, Oyadao tenement.
The Okalla drill program is aimed at a large disseminated gold-copper occurrence in diorite that coincides with a 'C' zone soil geochemical gold-copper-molybdenum anomaly on the prospect. The geochemical anomaly terminates to the north against an overlying Quaternary flood basalt flow, and reappears about 1km to the northeast, beyond the basalt ridge. Two holes drilled into this anomaly prior to the onset of the last monsoons were reported previously (press release dated October 25, 2011), and they and 3 others showed encouraging thicknesses and gold and copper values:
-- BL10-010D: 121.0m @ 491ppm Cu from 3.0m
-- BL10-020D: 100.1m @ 796ppm Cu, 0.23g/t Au from 0.0m
-- BL10-021D: 98.0m @ 880ppm Cu from 3.0m
-- BL11-026D: 94.9m @ 850ppm Cu, 0.55g/t Au from 28.0m
-- BL11-027D: 72.8m @1180ppm Cu, 0.24g/t Au from 16.2m
All cores will be saw-split before sampling. Cores will be stored at the Company facility in the city of Banlung, Ratanakiri province. All analyses will be done by a reputable internationally recognized laboratory. In the past, Angkor has used ALS-Chemex in Vientiane, Laos for gold by single assay ton fire assay with an AA finish, and in Brisbane, Australia for base metals by ICP-MS following acid digestion. Higher value results will be analysed in duplicate. Company QA/QC protocol requires the insertion of some 20% of blank and standard samples on a randomized basis throughout the sample sequence. The protocol further requires that no sample interval be greater than 1.0m or less than 0.5m.
The QP for this release, which he wrote and approved, is Adrian G. Mann, P. Geol., VP Exploration for ANGKOR GOLD CORP.. He is a graduate of London University and of the University of the Witwatersrand, with over 40 years world-wide experience in mineral exploration and mining geology. Dr. Mann lives in Calgary, Alberta.
ANGKOR GOLD CORPORATION is a public company listed on the TSX-Venture exchange. The company has 4 exploration licenses in the Kingdom of Cambodia covering a total of 1167 km2 and 3 Memoranda of Understanding with the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy covering a further 1499 km2. The company has been actively exploring these concessions over the past 21/2 years, and has now covered all 7 tenements with stream sediment geochemical sampling, has flown low level aeromagnetic surveys over much of the ground, drilled some 9,775 metres of NQ core in 89 holes, and has collected in excess of 14,000 'C' zone soil samples in 7 centres of interest, over a combined area of 18km2, in addition to numerous trenches and detailed geological field mapping. Exploration on all tenements is ongoing.
THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM.
Reader Advisory
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and completion of the Corporation's financings and related information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada, Cambodia, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the prices of gold and other base metals; governmental regulation of the mining industry in both Canada and Cambodia, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance which can reduce production or cause production to be delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; competition for and/or inability to retain mining equipment and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in mining operations; competition for, among other things, capital, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX Venture nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com
SOURCE: Angkor Gold Corp.
CONTACT: ANGKOR GOLD CORP.
Mike Weeks, President
Telephone: (780) 518-0326
Email: mw@angkorgold.ca
Read more!
Chinese Red Cross donates water pumps to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH - The Red Cross Society of China on Thursday donated 146 water pumps worth $200,000 to Cambodian Red Cross to help those provinces hit hard by floods last year.
The hand-over ceremony was presided over by Annie Sok An, the first vice president of Cambodian Red Cross, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
Annie Sok An expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Red Cross and the Chinese people, saying that their selfless help to Cambodia will significantly improve Cambodian people's standard of living and enhance Sino-Cambodian ties.
She added China had been helping Cambodia in various fields, including infrastructure construction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pan said that China's water pump donation was a sincere help between friends, adding that as Cambodia's biggest donation partner, China will continue assisting Cambodia in the long-run.
Pan told Xinhua that the two Red Cross societies share a long history of frequent exchanges and the cooperation between them includes humanitarian assistance and long-term staff training.
Read more!
Chinese Red Cross donates 146 water pumps to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China on Thursday donated 146 water pumps worth 200,000 U.S. dollars to Cambodian Red Cross to help those provinces hit hard by floods last year.
The hand-over ceremony was presided over by Annie Sok An, the first vice president of Cambodian Red Cross, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.
Annie Sok An expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Red Cross and the Chinese people, saying that their selfless help to Cambodia will significantly improve Cambodian people's standard of living and enhance Sino-Cambodian ties.
She added China had been helping Cambodia in various fields, including infrastructure construction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pan said that China's water pump donation was a sincere help between friends, adding that as Cambodia's biggest donation partner, China will continue assisting Cambodia in the long-run.
Pan told Xinhua that the two Red Cross societies share a long history of frequent exchanges and the cooperation between them includes humanitarian assistance and long-term staff training.
Read more!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Cambodia: Judicial harassment against Mr. Soum Chankea
URGENT APPEAL - THE OBSERVATORY
KHM 001 / 0212 / OBS 020
Judicial harassment
Cambodia
February 15, 2012
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Cambodia.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) of the judicial harassment faced by Mr. Soum Chankea, its Provincial Coordinator in Banteay Meanchey province.
According to the information received, on February 9, 2012, Mr. Soum Chankea was summoned by the Prosecutor’s Office in Sisophon, capital of Banteay Meanchey province, following a complaint lodged by Mr. Oum Socheath, Head of the Banteay Meanchey branch of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and Coordinator of the UNDP-CMAC mine clearance programme. The questioning is scheduled for February 20, 2012. The Prosecutor will then decide whether charges will be officially brought against Mr. Soum Chankea. These include “slanderous denunciation”, an offence punishable by up to one year in prison and a up to two million riels (380 euros) fine under Article 311 of the Criminal Code.
The complaint against Mr. Soum Chankea follows ADHOC’s intervention in a gender-based violence case. The victim filed complaints against Mr. Oum Socheath and Mr. Pong Piseth, also known as Mr. Veth, a business man in the area of real estate and construction, on November 4 and 9, 2011 respectively, accusing them of sexual harassment and assault. Following the victim’s complaints, the authorities allegedly took no action to investigate the allegations. Mr. Soum Chankea intervened several times in her favour to urge the police and the Prosecutor to investigate the case. According to information gathered by ADHOC, Messrs. Oum Socheath and Pong Piseth would be benefiting from the protection of a businessman whose brother is a high-ranking government official.
The Observatory expresses its deepest concern about Mr. Soum Chankea's summons for questioning, which seems to merely aim at sanctioning his human rights activities, and accordingly calls upon the Cambodian authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment - including at the judicial level - against him.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Cambodian authorities and ask them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Soum Chankea;
ii. Put an end to acts of harassment - including at the judicial level - against him as well as against all human rights defenders in Cambodia;
iii. Conform in any circumstances with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, and in particular :
- Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”,
- and Article 12.2 which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”.
iv. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Cambodia.
