This file photo shows Cambodian Minister of Commerce, Cham Prasidh, gesturing during a press conference in Siem Reap. North Korea is seeking access to world markets through investing in Cambodia, Prasidh said Wednesday, adding that the two countries would ink their first trade deal next month.Wednesday • October 17, 2007
AFP
North Korea is seeking access to world markets through investing in Cambodia, a top Cambodian minister said Wednesday, adding that the two countries would ink their first trade deal next month.
"Through investment, North Korea may see Cambodia as a bridge by which to produce goods and export to bigger countries," Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said, speaking at the launch of the UN-sponsored 2007 world investment report.
"Why is North Korea thinking ... to secure an exit door to the world through Cambodia? Because maybe we are the only ones here that can offer such an opportunity," he added.
Cambodia is one of a few countries to maintain diplomatic ties with isolated North Korea, and it has been tapped in the past to ferry messages between Seoul and Pyongyang aimed at improving relations.
Cham Prasidh said Cambodia has not finalised any projects in North Korea, and investment between the two impoverished countries currently stands at "zero."
He also criticised a hardline approach to the reclusive communist state, which has come under intense international pressure -- spearheaded by the United States -- over alleged rights abuses and its nuclear ambitions.
Among the sanctions imposed are bans on imports from North Korea, including money-making produce such as clams, crabs and high-end matsutake mushrooms.
"I believe the western approach to dealing with North Korea so far has been the wrong approach," he said.
"If you don't offer (North Korea) an exit, a way to live and air to breath, they are going to fight. ... You want them to be peaceful, provide them an opportunity to develop the country," he added.
North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong-Il is expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior government leaders during a four-day official visit to Cambodia that begins November 1.
The communist leader will also call on former king Norodom Sihanouk, a long-time friend of North Korea who frequently stays in a palace in Pyongyang provided to him by the North's first leader, Kim Il-Sung.
"Through investment, North Korea may see Cambodia as a bridge by which to produce goods and export to bigger countries," Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said, speaking at the launch of the UN-sponsored 2007 world investment report.
"Why is North Korea thinking ... to secure an exit door to the world through Cambodia? Because maybe we are the only ones here that can offer such an opportunity," he added.
Cambodia is one of a few countries to maintain diplomatic ties with isolated North Korea, and it has been tapped in the past to ferry messages between Seoul and Pyongyang aimed at improving relations.
Cham Prasidh said Cambodia has not finalised any projects in North Korea, and investment between the two impoverished countries currently stands at "zero."
He also criticised a hardline approach to the reclusive communist state, which has come under intense international pressure -- spearheaded by the United States -- over alleged rights abuses and its nuclear ambitions.
Among the sanctions imposed are bans on imports from North Korea, including money-making produce such as clams, crabs and high-end matsutake mushrooms.
"I believe the western approach to dealing with North Korea so far has been the wrong approach," he said.
"If you don't offer (North Korea) an exit, a way to live and air to breath, they are going to fight. ... You want them to be peaceful, provide them an opportunity to develop the country," he added.
North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong-Il is expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior government leaders during a four-day official visit to Cambodia that begins November 1.
The communist leader will also call on former king Norodom Sihanouk, a long-time friend of North Korea who frequently stays in a palace in Pyongyang provided to him by the North's first leader, Kim Il-Sung.
6 comments:
Investing in Cambodia?
Say no more! our door is wide open. Great tax incentive. Everyone make profit here. No restrictions or descrimination. Commie and dumborat are all welcome....
To have North Korean to come into Cambodia is way better to have the Vietcong and the Thaicong to come in because these North Korean live a thousand miles away and they certainly have no ambition on Cambodia like the Vietcong and the Thaicong!
In brotherhood Cambodia will find peace with the North Korean and this is one way to look beyond the Vietcong and the Thaicong know how!
I have a lot of relatived lived in Cambodia they are:
1:Former K.N.Sihanouk is my PA..PA.
2:K.N.Sihamony is my Brother.
3:Samdach Hun Sen is my Cousin.
4:Samdach Heng Samrin is my "Pu Mak" or My Friend
5:Samdach Chea Sim is my "Pa Om".
6:Great Leader Kim Jong Ill is My Uncle.
7:Comment by Prohok Khmer
A turnaround of policy toward North Korea:
1. Good relation between former king and NK leader
2. The Korean summit on denuclearization on its peninsular produces fruitful talks recently.
3. CPP leaders just got promoted in return they would have to make royal family happy.
4. At least N. Korea is outright a dictatorial country and it's proud of its image (Nothing to hide). Whereas Cambodia is a dictatorial country (or quasi-authoritarian country with a facade of democracy-it says one thing and does the opposite).
5. N. Korea is still better than Cambodia because NK has the intelligence and can build atomic bomb.
6. Cambodia is a beggar nation, mistreats its own citizens, but kowtow to foreigners, especially its larger neighbor VN and Thailand.
"To have North Korean to come into Cambodia is way better to have the Vietcong" -- 10:13
If that view will relief your anxiety, then let me invite all to look at it that way. That is the Vietcong won't dare to spoil it for the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, ..., and Mogolian investors, not to say that I am concerned with the Vietcong to begin with.
Oh, another good thing about N Korea coming in is that they get to work with their S Korea brother and sister that is already here. I hope the S Korean will help them to settle down.
And with any luck, maybe we can help the two Koreans to reunify again. It will be a miracle if it is successfully happen in Cambodia. Oh God give me this wish, please!
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