The Phnom Penh Post
Mineral exploration permits offered for protected Prey Lang
One of four new mining exploration permits, advertised publicly this week, is within the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary map, coordinates reveal, sparking concern among activists and community members about the strength of the forest’s recently-acquired protected status. In the first public tender of fresh exploration ...
Youth keying into digital economy
Southeast Asia’s youthful population is embracing the internet and rapidly connecting to the digital economy, creating enormous potential for economic growth throughout the region, panellists at the World Economic Forum on ASEAN said on May 10. Addressing a panel discussion on “The ASEAN Dream”, Kao ...
Mekong states sign on to UN policy on drugs
With the Kingdom in the middle of a controversial “war on drugs”, six Mekong countries agreed on May 10 to adopt a regional drug policy that puts health care first, and mandates police and judicial cooperation. Ministers and delegates from Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and ...
Quality infrastructure needed to support economic growth
Cambodia sits at a crossroads in the ASEAN region, potentially making it a key part of regional economic development and trade flows, though improved infrastructure and more innovative financing approaches are still needed, infrastructure experts meeting in Phnom Penh said on May 10. Speaking at ...
Calls to halt ‘reforestation’ plan
Fourteen community representatives speaking for thousands of families on May 9 petitioned the South Korean Embassy, Environment Ministry and Forestry Administration to halt the expansion of a controversial “reforestation” project by a Korean company situated between the protected Prey Lang forest and Mekong River. Their petition ...
Port operator’s IPO share price set near high tide mark
Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the state enterprise that operates Cambodia’s principal seaport, announced a share price of 5,040 riel ($1.26) on May 9 for its upcoming initial public offering following a bookbuilding exercise that garnered a strong response from institutional investors. SAP priced its shares at the ...
Economic development requires rule of law: ESCAP
Cambodia has enjoyed strong economic growth but needs to improve its governance and rule of law in order to promote greater development, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific said in a report released on May 8. The UN agency noted in ...
Court questions officials over sale of Jolie-Pitt land
An environmental ranger and a village chief were questioned yesterday by the Pailin Provincial Court for allegedly colluding to grab, clear and sell land in a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, according to officials. The questioning followed a complaint filed by the ...
Rules allowing censorship of depictions of homosexuality criticised
When the Ministry of Culture banned actor Denny Kwan on April 25 from appearing in movies for a year for wearing revealing clothing, the decision drew fire for what many felt were its sexist overtones. It also called attention to the ministry’s code of ethics, ...
Correspondent banking in retreat, but growing in Asia
While financial inclusion is a top priority for emerging economies, new research suggests more stringent enforcement of anti-money regulations in recent years has resulted in major Western banks disconnecting from these regions, leaving local businesses without access to the international financial system. Correspondent banking relationships, ...
