Hun Sen returns from India

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen returned from his official visit to India, in the evening of 10 December, after staying in India for 4 days, from 07 to 10 December 2007. During a press conference at the Phnom Penh International Airport, vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Nam Hong said that the visit brought a number of benefits to the country, just like previous visits. Hor Nam Hong said that this is Hun Sen’s 7th visit to India since 1982. He also said that there were 7 agreements signed during the visit, and India extended a line of credit of $35.2 million to Cambodia to build the Stung Krasal dam, to install electric lines between Stung Treng and Kratie provinces, and to buy water pumps.

Cambodia keen on replicating rural development schemes

Impressed: Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen being guided by a security personnel at the Hitec City on Sunday. — Photo: Satish H.

Monday, Dec 10, 2007
Special Correspondent.
The Hindu (India)

Cambodian Premier leads 31-member delegation to NIRD

HYDERABAD: Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, on Sunday said rural development was an area of concern for his Government and said here on Sunday that he was looking to benefit from India’s experience.

A 31-member delegation headed by Mr. Hun Sen visited the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and also the Hitec City. He rounded-off the evening by calling on Governor N. D. Tiwari. Aloke Sen, Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, was present.

Mr. Tiwari hosted a dinner reception for Mr. Hun Sen and the visiting delegation at Raj Bhavan.

Several senior officials from the Government of Andhra Pradesh were present, including M.G. Gopal, Secretary to Governor.

Earlier, Mr. Hun Sen, who planted a sapling in the sprawling NIRD campus, said that his country would greatly benefit from experiences on the rural development front and urged the institute to extend its services to Cambodia.

The delegation interacted with senior NIRD faculty members on issues like land and soil management, research and extension activities, concerns of farmers and improved agricultural practices. Earlier, V.S.Sampath, NIRD Director-General, welcomed Mr. Hun Sen.

Cambodia opens door to Indian FDI

2007-12-10
Sourced From: Confederation of Indian Industry

The Royal Government of Cambodia will invite Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) to Cambodia for economic take-off and transformation in Cambodia, said Mr. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia at a business meeting organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) , here on Saturday.

On the prospects of investment in Cambodia , the Prime Minister said that The Royal Government of Cambodia is supportive of the private sector and have created a favourable environment for the private sector to protect their investments and business activities in Cambodia. Cambodia important potential in agriculture and agro-industry, labour intensive industries, processing, tourism, mining and some sections of manufacturing and services, he said.

The Royal Government of Cambodia promotes Private Participation in Provision of Infrastructures, provides National Treatment and allows free movement of capital and foreign exchange, said Mr. Hun Sen. The foreign investor can do business with or without Cambodian partners and can decide on the level of equity, said the Prime Minister.

Dr Shakeel Ahmed, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Government of India said that both India and Cambodia have young population who can contribute to the technological development and growth of the two countries. Indian IT companies have significant presence in Cambodia and can further initiate the ICT programs of the Royal Government of Cambodia, he said.

Speaking on India's achievements and plans in IT and Telecom, Dr. Ahmed said that the National E Governance Mission of India is an initiative to provide administrative services at the doorstep of every citizen. India is fast becoming the knowledge capital of the world and can cooperate with Cambodia in information and telecommunication sector, said the Minister.

Mr. P K Sandell, Chairman, Computers and Electronics Committee, ASSOCHAM , said that Cambodia offers tremendous investment opportunity along with growth prospect to Indian investors. India and Cambodia should identify and intensify the areas of trade, he said.

The Indian IT companies offer technology models that are suitable to Asian countries and can be fulfill Cambodia's requirements, said Mr. Sandell. Garments, fisheries, agriculture, food processing, tourism, education and infrastructure are the key areas of cooperation between the two countries, he added.

India – Cambodia relationship is the confluence of culture and religion, said Mr. D Datta, Chairman FICCI, India–Cambodia Joint Business Council, and Chairman and Managing Director, WAPCOS . New products and services should be identified to enhance the bi-lateral trade ties between India and Cambodia, he said. Indian companies should look forward to opportunities in water, power ansd infrastructure projects whereas Cambodian companies should open offices in India to explore new avenues, he added.

Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman, CII- CLMV Country Committee and Chairman & Managing Director, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. identified the areas to improve bi-lateral relations between India and Cambodia and said that barriers in services and commodity trade should be removed along with India's participation in infrastructure projects, including railways and energy projects in Cambodia.

Mr. Kirloskar said that cooperation should be enhanced in biotechnology, bioinformatics, broadcasting, communication, education, human resources and skill development. Other areas of collaboration can be generic pharmaceutical industry, traditional herbal medicines, tourism and manufacturing, he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister for strengthening bilateral trade ties with India

New Kerala (India)

New Delhi, Dec 8 : Visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen today stressed on enhancing bilateral trade with India and invited businessmen to Cambodia to deliberate on business feasibility.

Addressing a 'Business Meet', Sen observed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has boosted and bolstered the economies of many nations in the past.

"Recognising the huge forces of the Indian economy, the successful development experience learnt from the other countries in the region where Foreign Direct Investment is playing an important and crucial role, Cambodia is strongly determined to attract as much as possible Foreign Direct Investment including Indian FDI to Cambodia," said Sen.

In order to enhance trade relations, Sen stressed on mobilising foreign funds for the economic development of Cambodia and also invited Indian business entrepreneurs to discuss and deliberate on feasible and workable business ventures.

"My message to all Indian businessmen is to come to Cambodia to carry out feasibility study," said Sen.

Later, India and Cambodia signed various agreements in the fields, ranging from defence cooperation and water resources to commerce, in the presence of Sen and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

The Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons, lays down the criteria and procedure for the transfer of sentenced persons who are incarcerated in the other country back to their own country to serve the remainder of their sentence.

The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Water Resource Management covers collaboration and joint activities in the area of water resources development and management.

The MoU on Foreign Office Consultations signed today envisages regular consultations at the Vice Ministerial level to review all aspects of bilateral relations and exchange of views on international issues of mutual interest.

The consultations covering areas of political, economic, commercial, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation, will be held alternately in New Delhi and Phnom Penh.

The Work Plan under Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation for 2007-2008 was also signed today.

Under the Agreement on the Line of Credit for Cambodia, signed today India will extend a Line of Credit for 35.2 million dollars at a fixed rate of interest of 1.75 percent repayable over 20 years inclusive of a grace period of five years.

The Line of Credit will be utilised for financing three projects -- 15 million dollars for the Stung Tasal Development project, 5.2 million dollars for the purchase of water pumps; and 15 million dollars for the construction of an electric transmission line between Kratie and Stung Treng Province.

An MoU on Cooperation and Technical Assistance was also signed between the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA) and the ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL).

Under this, the CNPA and the OVL will exchange ideas on possible cooperation related to exploration, development, production, gas utilisation, processing, sale, distribution of petroleum and their products as well as training and education in oil and gas operations.

Agreement on Defence Cooperation, aims to enhance defence cooperation through the exchange of experience between India and Cambodia.

India and Cambodia sign seven bilateral agreements [-Are any of these agreements useful to Cambodia?]

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh before their meeting in New Delhi December 8, 2007. Sen is on a four-day state visit to India. REUTERS/B Mathur

Saturday, December 08, 2007

New Delhi (dpa) - India and Cambodia signed six bilateral agreements Saturday ranging from financial assistance to co-operation in the field of water resource management.

The Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, who is on a four-day visit to India with a 12-member delegation, signed seven agreements after meeting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh.

The two sides concluded an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, cooperation in the field of water resource management, protocol framework of foreign Office consultations between India and Cambodia, plan of understanding on agricultural cooperation for 2007- 2008 and an agreement on credit for Cambodia.

India and Cambodia also signed an agreement to enhance defence cooperation, and one on cooperation and technical assistance between the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority and India's petroleum major ONGC Videsh Limited.

Earlier Saturday, Hun Sen addressed leaders of Indian chambers and industries in a business meeting, and called for more foreign direct investment by Indian companies in Cambodia.

"The Royal Government of Cambodia is supportive of the private sector, and has created a favourable environment for this sector to protect their investments and business activities in Cambodia," said Hun Sen.

Investment in areas like agriculture, labour intensive industries, processing, tourism, mining and some other sections of manufacturing and services can enable "economic take-off and transformation in Cambodia", said Hun Sen.

Presently, the volume of trade between the two countries is about 50 million dollars, in India's favour.

From 2005 to 2006, the balance of trade between the two countries was 16.5 million dollars, with India exporting goods and services worth 16.7 million dollars and importing goods and services worth 20,000 dollars.

In the business meeting, corporate leaders from India and the five ministers accompanying Hun Sen also identified sectors for potential investment.

The Indian side supported co-operation in biotechnology, bio- informatics, broadcasting, communication, education, human resources and skill development.

Hun Sen, who arrived in India on Friday, was given a ceremonial reception on Saturday, which was followed by a meeting with India's Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari.

He is scheduled to travel Sunday to the southern city of Hyderabad on Sunday where he will visit the National Institute of Rural Development and an information technology centre.

Hun Sen's earlier visit to India in July was abruptly terminated when the country went into mourning after the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Cambodian prime minister invites Indian investment

Sat, 08 Dec 2007
DPA

New Delhi - Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen on Saturday invited Indian investment for "economic take-off and transformation in Cambodia". Addressing leaders of Indian chambers and industries Hun Sen said, "The Royal Government of Cambodia is supportive of the private sector, and has created a favourable environment for this sector to protect their investments and business activities in Cambodia."

The prime minister, who is on a four-day visit to India, said there was potential for Indian foreign direct investment in agriculture, labour intensive industries, processing, tourism, mining, and some other sections of manufacturing and services.

The investment from India can enable "economic take-off and transformation in Cambodia", said Hun Sen, who is accompanied by a 12-member delegation including five ministers.

India's Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Dr Shakeel Ahmed, said that, "India and Cambodia have young population who can contribute to the technological development and growth of the two countries."

"Indian IT companies have significant presence in Cambodia and can further initiate the ICT (Information Communication Telecommunication) programmes of the Royal Government of Cambodia," said Ahmed.

The balance of trade between the two countries is 16.5 million dollars, with India exporting goods and services worth 16.7 million dollars and importing goods and services worth 20,000 dollars in 2005-06.

New products and services should be identified to enhance bilateral trade ties, said Chairman, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, D Datta.

Indian business leaders supported co-operation in biotechnology, bio-informatics, broadcasting, communication, education, human resources and skill development.

Hun Sen, who arrived in India on Friday, was given a ceremonial reception on Saturday, which was followed by a meeting with India's Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari.

The Cambodian prime minister is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and the two sides are expected to sign several agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.

He is scheduled to leave for the southern city of Hyderabad on Sunday where he will visit the National Institute of Rural Development and an information technology centre.

Hun Sen's earlier visit to India in July was abruptly terminated when the country went into state mourning after the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Cambodia invites Indian investment

IANS (India)

New Delhi, Dec 8 - Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen Saturday invited the Indian business community to invest in his country, promising a favourable environment.

Addressing business leaders here, Hun Sen said that his government was supportive of the private sector and had created a favourable environment to protect their investments and business activities in Cambodia.

'Cambodia's potential lies in agriculture and agro-industry, labour intensive industries, processing, tourism, mining and some sections of manufacturing and services,' he said, adding that foreign investors can do business with or without Cambodian partners and can decide on the level of equity.

Hun Sen began his three-day trip to India with a call on President Pratibha Patil. He also held discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He will visit Hyderabad Sunday.

Hun Sen's trip: A "useless" passage to India?

Hun Sen on 10-Day Trip to India for Defense, Oil Talks

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 December 2007

Prime Minister Hun Sen left for India Friday en route to meet with officials over defense and economic cooperation, as well as petroleum agreements.

He is scheduled to stay for 10 days and will meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The two countries are expected to sign seven agreements, including prisoner exchange, defense and cooperation in the petroleum sector, the statement said.

Human Rights Party Vice President Keo Remy said Friday many of the agreements were "useless," while foreign debt for Cambodia was "dramatically increasing."

"We are worried about our younger generation, who will be paying the debt," he said, adding, however, that the cooperation on petroleum could be "a benefit for Cambodia."

Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Yim Sovann said agreements with idea could yield "advantages for both countries."

"But the thing is, how prepared we should be to receive the benefit of this cooperation," he said.

Cambodian premier Hun Sen on India visit

Fri, 07 Dec 2007
DPA

New Delhi - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived in India Friday on a five-day state visit during which the two countries are expected to sign several agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. The pacts scheduled to be signed during Hun Sen's visit include cooperation in the areas of defence, water resources, agriculture, petroleum and commerce, diplomatic officials said.

The Cambodian premier is accompanied by a 12-member delegation including five ministers.

Hun Sen's earlier visit to India in July was abruptly terminated when the country went into state mourning after the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Hun Sen will be accorded a ceremonial reception on Saturday. He is also scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral and regional issues followed by the signing of agreements, an Indian Foreign Ministry release said.

The Cambodian leader is expected to address a meeting of Indian business leaders organized by Indian chambers of commerce and industry.

He is scheduled to leave for the southern city of Hyderabad on Sunday where he will visit the National Institute of Rural Development and an information technology centre.

Hun Sen returns to India for the 2nd time, after being snubbed the first time

Cambodian PM to arrive tomorrow on 4-day visit

From our ANI Correspondent
Daily India

New Delhi, Dec 6: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will arrive here on Friday on a four-day visit to take forward the bilateral relations with India.

Sen will lead a 12-member delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

He is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, who will host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary on the evening of December 8.

Sen will also call on President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari. He will also meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

He will address a business luncheon meeting jointly organized by the CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM.

During his stay in India, the visiting Prime Minister will visit Hyderabad, where he will go to the National Institute of Rural Development and the Hitech City. He will call on the Governor of Andhra Pradesh on December 9.

India is choosy about eastern neighbours [Hun Sen was not accorded a ceremonial welcome when he landed in Delhi on July 9]

Wednesday December 5, 2007
By Indian Express

India has been selective in developing its relationship with its eastern neighbours. Over the years, India's merchandise trade with Asean remained concentrated in five major countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and to some extent, the Philippines.

In June 1997, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC) was set up at a sub-regional meeting in Thailand comprising countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Subsequently Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal joined up and BIMST-EC decided to work out a free-trade framework agreement. India expected that BIMST-EC would be the gateway for strengthening its relationship with Asean.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) came into being from November 10, 2000 at Vientiane and the first ministerial meeting was held at that time. MCG comprises six countries namely, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and India. The emphases are on four areas of cooperation, which are tourism, culture, education and transportation linkage in order to be the solid foundation for future trade and investment cooperation in the region.

But India's policy over the years has been to develop relations with the influential countries in east and south-east Asia like China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. India has not shown a great deal of interest in some of its other smaller neighbours.

The Cambodian prime minister, Samdech Hun Sen, for instance, was not accorded a ceremonial welcome when he landed in Delhi on July 9, this year. He had to leave the country immediately-the reason was-the nation was mourning the death of the former prime minister, Chandra Shekhar. However, Sen is again visiting India on December 8, this year.

In bilateral trade with Cambodia, Laos and Vietman, the trade balance is heavily weighed in favour of India, while in bilateral trade with Thailand and Malaysia, the trade balance is not in favour of India. In 2006-07, India's exports to Cambodia grew by 115.63% to be at $52.16 million, while its imports from that country was only $1.58 million.

Similarly, India's exports to Laos in 2005-06 grew by 106.55% to be at $5.47 million, while its imports from that country was only $0.10 million. India's exports to Vietnam in 2006-07 grew by 42.27% to be at $982.60 million, while its imports from that country was only $167.65 million. Vietnam has rich deposits of natural gas and oil that can benefit India in meeting its energy needs. If India develops better economic cooperation with small countries in the region namely, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, it would help to boost its presence in the Asean region. Also, there is a need to improve trade and economic cooperation with Myanmar for strategic reasons. Myanmar has good reserves of gas and oil that can help India in meeting its energy needs.

Myanmar grows and exports pulses to India, which is in shortfall in this essential agro commodity. Increase in border trade with India can help the landlocked northeastern part of the country with better prospects. At present border trade in select 22 items is permitted through three select points, namely Moreh in Manipur, Zowkhathar in Mizoram and Lungwa in Nagaland. The border trade is severely limited. Indians are allowed to cross the border with the assurance that they would return on the same day. It has been proposed to link United Bank of India at Moreh post in Manipur with Myanmarese Economic Bank at Tamu. If this happens, the two banks would avail the letter of credit facilities under which Indian rupee and Myanmarese kyats can be legally converted.

Cooperation between India and Myanmar is also essential to check narcotic trade. Myanmar can act as India's gateway to the Asean through the land route.

India's relations with Myanmar over the past years had been severely affected due to political reason as the former had criticised the latter's martial regime. Recently, there has been a shift in the India's attitude towards Myanmar and the relationship between the two countries is inching for better. It would be better to integrate Myanmar into South Asian economy by inviting it to join Saarc. India should win over less important economies in the Asean region and counter the growing presence of China, Japan and Korea.