Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 21, October 19 - November 1, 2007
Responding to an invitation from Prime Minister Hun Sen, North Korea's premier Kim Yong Il will visit Cambodia. Although few details about the leader's plans were announced, Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh said he expects the two countries to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on investment during the November 1-4 visit.
Prasidh said the agreement would open the door for more trade between North Korea and Cambodia.
North Korea has potential in cement and fertilizer, both needed in Cambodia. Prasidh said Cambodian investors will consider the opportunity to invest in these sectors for import to Cambodia.
"I hope we will attract North Korea to invest in Cambodia," said Prasidh, who is also vice president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia "So far both countries have no investment in each other."
An official of the Embassy of North Korea could not be reached for comment.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Yong Il will meet with the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who has maintained a personal relationship with the North Koreans since the 1970s when he was ejected from power and stayed for long periods at a residence in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. His bodyguards are all provided by North Korea. The King Father last visited Pyongyang with the Queen in March 2006, according to the Cambodian embassy in North Korea.
Kim Yong Il also will have official discussions with Prime Minister Hun Sen and will meet Chea Sim, the president of the Senate, and Heng Samrin, the head of the National Assembly. Because Cambodia maintains relations with both Koreas, a year ago in the wake of the disclosure by North Korea that it had conducted new nuclear tests, Seoul asked Cambodia to help mediate with North Korea for peace on the peninsula.
In 2001, North Korea's No. 2 leader Kim Yong Nam, made a four day official visit to Cambodia with a 40 member delegation at Sihanouk's invitation.
North Korea is also sending observers to Cambodia in late November to learn about competition for disabled volleyball athletes. The North Koreans were not expected to play in the Cambodian National Volleyball League/Disabled tournament to be held from November 24 to December 1, but were expected to observe so they can start their own program.
Prasidh said the agreement would open the door for more trade between North Korea and Cambodia.
North Korea has potential in cement and fertilizer, both needed in Cambodia. Prasidh said Cambodian investors will consider the opportunity to invest in these sectors for import to Cambodia.
"I hope we will attract North Korea to invest in Cambodia," said Prasidh, who is also vice president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia "So far both countries have no investment in each other."
An official of the Embassy of North Korea could not be reached for comment.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Yong Il will meet with the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who has maintained a personal relationship with the North Koreans since the 1970s when he was ejected from power and stayed for long periods at a residence in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. His bodyguards are all provided by North Korea. The King Father last visited Pyongyang with the Queen in March 2006, according to the Cambodian embassy in North Korea.
Kim Yong Il also will have official discussions with Prime Minister Hun Sen and will meet Chea Sim, the president of the Senate, and Heng Samrin, the head of the National Assembly. Because Cambodia maintains relations with both Koreas, a year ago in the wake of the disclosure by North Korea that it had conducted new nuclear tests, Seoul asked Cambodia to help mediate with North Korea for peace on the peninsula.
In 2001, North Korea's No. 2 leader Kim Yong Nam, made a four day official visit to Cambodia with a 40 member delegation at Sihanouk's invitation.
North Korea is also sending observers to Cambodia in late November to learn about competition for disabled volleyball athletes. The North Koreans were not expected to play in the Cambodian National Volleyball League/Disabled tournament to be held from November 24 to December 1, but were expected to observe so they can start their own program.
4 comments:
Yes, since North Korea is having problem with drout and dry weather, I recommend that they lease some land and invest in organic farming here. That way, they will always have food, and create jobs for thousands of us, a win-win solution.
It's not a bad move. It's worth the exploration for mutually benefitial. Hopefully we can play a role to help North Korea from famine and bring the two Koreas together and put an end the nucleus threat in that region.
Can this Mother-fucker North Korean help pol Pot killed us ?
You go, mate (1:27!)
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