Saturday, February 12, 2011

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An says exports to Japan increases

Phnom Penh, February 10 (PRU) – Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An said late Friday that Cambodia’s exports to Japan has increased to $90 million US last year from $40 million in 2009.

Dr. Sok An told Japan’s deputy foreign minister H.E Yutaka Banno that there are now 21 Japanese companies operating in Cambodia, capitalized at almost  $200 million US.

He also said that Cambodia has been implementing the anti-corruption law, which is part of the government’s efforts to improve transparency, good governance as well as to attract more foreign investments.

Cambodia has seen hefty investments in infrastructures, which is one of  the government’s priority, to reduce poverty as proven by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) which,  through its poll survey found that 76 percent of Cambodian respondents supported the government’s policy.

Dr. Sok An requested Japan to assist Cambodia in the newly established National Training Board (NTB) to train Cambodia’s graduates to be ready for employment as well as the National Employment Agency (NEA) in order to enhance its efficiency.

He also recalled the success the 5 world records of the Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

Dr. Sok An also briefed the diplomat about the Thai’s aggression in attacking Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple from 4 to 7 February, 2011, killing 4 Cambodia’s troops, one policeman, and 2 civilians.

At least 30 Cambodian civilians were wounded by the Thai army's bombardment, said Dr. Sok An.

More than 3,000 families or more than 10,000 people have become displaced, many of whom are women and children, as a result of Thai army's shelling into their villages, said Dr. Sok An.

The Deputy Prime Minister also told Japanese deputy foreign minister that Cambodia has petitioned  the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), seeking the world body to interpret the ICJ’s decision 1962 and to send a fact finding mission and or U.N military observers to monitor the cease fire in the area.

“This is the best solution, which also helps to build trust between Cambodia and Thailand,” said Dr. Sok An.

Cambodia also sought ASEAN's role in settling the border dispute with Thailand. Cambodia has sent a letter to UNESCO who said they will send its experts to assess the damage sustained by the  Preah Vihear temple as a result of  the Thai army's  bombardment.

The UN's legal institution, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had  in 1962 ruled  that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

The court found that Thailand is under obligation to withdraw any military or police force, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory.

Thailand is under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any objects of the kind specified in the Cambodia’s fifth submission which may, since the date of the occupation of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai authority, said the ICJ’s Judgment.

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