Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Roh Promises More Aid to Cambodia [Chosunilbo must not be able to distinguish between Chea Sim and King Sihamoni]

Nov.21,2006
Chosunilbo (South Korea)

President Roh Moo-hyun is on the first state visit by a Korean leader to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Based on relations that have warmed rapidly since ties were normalized 10 years ago, Roh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen endorsed a number of agreements on economic and personnel exchanges.

A stock exchange is one of many forms of aid Roh promised Cambodia on Monday when meeting with Hun Sen. The Korean president also agreed to support Cambodia in nuts-and-bolts work like road building as well as constructing provincial information systems through loans worth US$70 million.

The two countries will also knock down walls by introducing a visa-waiver program for diplomats and government officials and opening more doors for Cambodians to work in Korea.

Trade between the two countries reached $150 million last year with Korea's exports of textiles, used cars and medical products growing annually. At a luncheon meeting with business leaders there, Roh noted that Korean investment in Cambodia has jumped six-fold over the past decade. The president added he believes this is just the beginning.

The Korean leader also met with King Norodom Sihamoni and President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin to seek cooperation on political affairs. He wrapped up day two of his four-day trip to Cambodia by meeting with 2,000 Koreans who live in the country.

Koreans topped the list of foreign visitors to Cambodia in 2005 at about 220,000. Korea and Cambodia will further boost friendly ties on Tuesday, when Roh and Hun Sen preside over the inauguration ceremony of the World Culture Expo 2006 in Angkor Wat.

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