Two Lawmakers Planning Trip to Iran

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Thursday, 29 April 2010

“We will encourage Iranian investors to invest in Cambodia and buy Cambodian products, especially rice."

Two Cambodian lawmakers are planning a trip to Iran in May, where they hope to convince leaders there to consider investment in agriculture and to buy the country’s farm products.

Cambodia has sought similar deals in Middle Eastern countries like Kuwait and Qatar, where food shortages are a concern, but the visit to Iran represents a first. Cambodia expects a rice surplus of about 2 million tons for export this year and is seeking diverse markets in which to sell it.

Try Chheang Huot, chairman of the National Assembly’s committee on investment and agriculture, told VOA Khmer Wednesday he hoped to make the visit around May 10.

“We will encourage Iranian investors to invest in Cambodia and buy Cambodian products, especially rice,” he said. “We will explain to them our culture, like Angkor Wat, to attract tourists.”

Try Chheang Huot will be accompanied by Chhith Kim Yath, deputy chair of the Senate’s committee for energy and trade.

“We will explain to Iranian investors and lawmakers the political stability [in Cambodia] and the great potential for agricultural products, to create more employment in Cambodia and boost Cambodia’s economy,” Chhith Kim Yath said.

Both lawmakers will also join a meeting of Asian parliamentarians in Iran.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said Wednesday he was aware of the trip, but arrangements had been made between legislative bodies of the two countries.

“Cambodia has normal relations with Iran,” he said.