Heng Samrin visiting Japan

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly (NA), led a high-ranking NA delegation to perform an official visit to Japan, in the evening of 14 October 2007. The visit will last between 15 to 20 October, based on an invitation of the Japanese Speaker of the House of Representatives. Cambodian MPs who accompanied Heng Samrin on his trip are: Pen Panha, Monh Saphan, Sok Pheng, Mrs. Ly Kim Lieng, and Yos Son. During its visit to Japan, the Cambodian delegation will pay respect to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, it will also met separately with Yohei Kono, the Japanese Speaker of the House of Representatives, with Eda Satsuki, President of the House of Councillors, and with the Japanese Prime Minister. The Cambodian delegation will return back to Cambodia in the evening of 20 October 2007.

Samdach Akkok Moha Thommak Chakrei (aka former KR comrade Heng Samrin) visits Tokyo

Cambodia's National Assembly President Heng Samrin (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at Fukuda's official residence in Tokyo October 15, 2007. Samrin is on a six-day visit to Japan. REUTERS/Pool/Koji Sasahara

Cambodia's National Assembly President Heng Samrin (L) talks to Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (R) during a meeting at Fukuda's official residence in Tokyo October 15, 2007. Samrin is on a six-day visit to Japan. REUTERS/Pool/Koji Sashana

Heng Samrin to visit Japan

Saturday, October 6, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Japanese embassy issued a communiqué on 05 October stating that, under an invitation for Mr. Yohei Kono, the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, will perform an official visit to Japan between 15 and 20 October 2007. The communiqué indicated that during the official visit, Heng Samrin will pay respect to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and he will hold a separate discussion with Mr. Yohei Kono, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mr. Satsuki Eda, the President of the House of Councilors. The composition of the delegation to be led by Heng Samrin will include a number of MPs including Pen Panha, Monh Saphan, Sok Pheng, Chumtiev Ly Tech Lieng, and Yus Son.

Hun Sen back from begging mission in Japan

June 17, 2007
Cambodian PM returns after visit to Japan

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen returned Saturday from a visit to Japan, which was aimed to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

At the Phnom Penh international airport upon the arrival of Hun Sen, Secretary of State of Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Long Visalo told reporters that it was the first official visit for Hun Sen to Japan, which was from June 13 to 16.

Long Visalo said that during the visit, Cambodia and Japan signed an agreement to protect Japanese investors in Cambodia, adding that groups of Japanese entrepreneurs, investors and government officials will visit Cambodia next month in order to find chances for investment.

So far, the loans and grants from Japan to Cambodia are worth about 1,177 million U.S. dollars, he said.

Japan will also provide scholarships for 1,000 Cambodian students in the next 5 years, he added.

Hun Sen also requested the Japanese government to help Cambodia with several projects, including the National Road No.2 from Phnom Penh to Takeo province, the water irrigation system for Vay Ko river which will benefit the people in Kompong Cham, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces, the expanding of Sihanoukville sea port, the creation of special economic zone in Sihanoukville, the electricity network from Phnom Penh to Kompong Cham and Kratie province, the water clean system in Siem Reap province and the Neak Loung bridge, Long Visalo said.

Japanese experts will come to study and construct these projects soon, he added.

Japan has been Cambodia's largest donor country for years, but lags behind other countries in the fields of investment and trade.

Source: Xinhua

Japan, Cambodia sign investment pact

June 15, 2007

Japan and Cambodia on Thursday signed a bilateral investment pact to attract more capital from the world No. 2 economy to the Southeast Asian country.

The pact was signed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who started his three- day journey on Wednesday.

According to the pact, Japanese firms will be treated equally with local firms in terms of regulations and taxation, and the Cambodian side will make efforts to build a favorable investment environment.

Japan hopes that the pact will contribute to Cambodia's strategy to protect and promote direct investment by foreign firms as part of efforts to restore its economy, Kyodo News quoted Japanese officials as saying.

A bilateral joint statement released later in the day reads that "trade and investment are important for sustainable economic growth in Cambodia."

According to Japanese officials, Japan will dispatch "a business mission composed of representatives from both the government and private sector" to Cambodia next month to discuss opportunities for economic cooperation.

On the international efforts to tackle global warming, Cambodia extended its support to Japan's recent proposal of cutting global greenhouse emissions by 50 percent by 2050 and expressed its willingness to cooperate with Japan over creating a post-Kyoto climate change framework.

Source: Xinhua

Cambodian PM Expresses Support for Khmer Rouge Trials

By Catherine Makino
Voice of America, Tokyo
14 June 2007

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has welcomed the upcoming trial of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders, after Cambodian and international judges agreed on procedural rules that will allow the trial process to begin. Human rights activists have previously accused the Hun Sen government of placing obstacles in the way of the tribunal. Catherine Makino reports from Tokyo, where Hun Sen is on a visit to seek increased investment in Cambodia.

The Cambodian prime minister told reporters his government and the people of Cambodia fully support the long-awaited trial of the Khmer Rouge leaders.

"We always asked countries to start the trial as soon as possible, because Cambodia will not have a bright future unless the problem is resolved and they are punished," he said. "This is what all of the people of Cambodia have been hoping for."

More than 1.7 million Cambodians died under Khmer Rouge rule between 1975 and 1979. Pol Pot, the top leader of the ultra-radical Maoist group, died in 1998, but several of Pol Pot's associates are still living freely in the country.

Hun Sen was a junior-level Khmer Rouge soldier himself, and human rights activists have charged that he and his government have worked behind the scenes to prevent the tribunal from starting its work. Hun Sen has said the proceedings could cause panic among Khmer Rouge supporters who still live in Cambodia, and reignite the civil war that ravaged the country from 1980s into the 1990s.

He has also said the country could not afford the U.N.-sponsored tribunal, although Japan later stepped in with the needed funds.

On Wednesday, agreement was reached on procedures for the trials after extended negotiations between domestic and international judges and lawyers.

The prime minister was unequivocal in his support for the tribunal.

"The Khmer Rouge have to be taken to task for what they did, and we will watch how the international community will have the Khmer Rouge leaders take responsibility for having inflicted these atrocities," he added.

The main purpose of Hun Sen's four-day visit to Japan is to seek investment and tourists. Cambodia's infrastructure is in tatters after decades of civil war and neglect.

Japan pledged more than $100 million at a donor's meeting last year, and has been Cambodia's largest donor for years. But Tokyo lags behinds other countries in investment and trade with the Southeast Asian nation.

In his public comments, Hun Sen repeated pledges to reduce corruption, which has been one obstacle to increased investment.

Abe, Hun ink pact to attract more Japanese investment to Cambodia

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after they exchange documents at Abe's official residence in Tokyo June 14, 2007. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

TOKYO, June 14
KYODO

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday signed a bilateral investment pact aimed at attracting Japanese investment to the Southeast Asian country.

The pact liberalizes Japanese investment in Cambodia and states that this policy will be maintained in the future -- a move to boost Japanese investment and expand the presence of Japanese firms there, Japanese officials said.

Cambodia PM calls for more investment from Japan

TOKYO, June 14 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday urged Japanese business leaders to invest more in one of the poorest Asian countries which he said could make a new start as a country build on rich natural resources.

"Development of natural gas and mineral resources provide Cambodia with great potential and this means Cambodia will make a new start as a country founded by natural resources in the international community," he told Japanese business leaders.

Japan's direct investments in Cambodia stood at $4 million for the five years from 2002.

"We will improve the environment for investments and I feel confident that investments by Japanese companies and investors will help the Cambodian economy grow stronger," Hun Sen said.

He said Japan's aid had helped Cambodia vastly improve its infrastructure in the last decade.

Japan's aid grants to Cambodia stood at $1.17 billion in the 1992-2007 period and Japan had extended yen loans totalling $137 million in the same period, Hun Sen said.

He said that the Cambodian economy had grown 13.5 percent in 2005 and 10.8 percent in 2006.

He also said Cambodia's per capita gross domestic product (GDP) had nearly doubled to $513 in 2006 from $288 in 2000, and inflation had remained below 3 percent between 2000 and 2006.

He said he would sign a bilateral investment pact with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day.

"I certainly believe that this pact will serve as a source of great confidence for those who invest in Cambodia," he said.

Japan's imports from Cambodia stood at 8.6 billion yen ($70.06 million) in 2005, while Cambodia's imports from Japan were 11.5 billion yen. ($1=122.74 Yen)

Hun Sen sets his eyes on aid from Tokyo

... well, if not both eyes, at least one eye (see first photo below)

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) is escorted by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, prior to a welcoming ceremony at the prime minister's official residence in central Tokyo June 14, 2007. REUTERS/Katsumi Kasahara/Pool

Visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe (2nd L) bow to their respective national flags while reviewing an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, 14 June 2007. Hun Sen is on a four-day official visit to Japan.(AFP/Pool/Toru Yamanaka)

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) is welcomed by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, prior to a welcoming ceremony at the prime minister's official residence in central Tokyo June 14, 2007. REUTERS/Katsumi Kasahara/Pool

Hun Sen Begins Japan Visit [to look for money]

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13/06/2007

Prime Minister Hun Sen began an official three-day visit to Japan Wednesday, where he is seeking more aid for infrastructure and other investment.

Hun Sen's visit comes ahead of a donors meeting scheduled for next week. Japan is Cambodia's largest donor.

Ahead of the visit, Hun Sen said he would appeal for aid to build a bridge across the Mekong River at the Neak Loeung ferry crossing southeast of the capital. The prime minister would also seek funds for the restoration of National Route 2 between Kandal and Takeo provinces, he said.

"I am going to find the bridge, to find the Neak Loeung bridge, pushing for the Neak Loeung bridge," Hun Sen said, "and to look for money for the country's development and bring more Japanese investment."

Hun Sen is leading a delegation of 25 cabinet ministers and is scheduled to have an audience with Emperor Akihito.

Cambodian PM visits Japan counterpart

13/06/2007
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will seek assistance for infrastructure building from the Japanese during an official visit beginning on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen will spend three days in Japan, at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

Accompanied by a 25-member delegation including Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh, Hun Sen will hold bilateral talks with Mr Abe where he is expected to ask for further assistance from Japan for Cambodian infrastructure projects.

Japan has been the largest donor to Cambodia since 1991.

Hun Sen is also slated to pay a courtesy call on Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Hun Sen to visit Japan in June

Cambodian PM to visit Japan next month

PHNOM PENH, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will conduct his first ever-official visit to Japan next month, local media on Wednesday quoted senior government official as saying.

The visit will take three to four days and both sides will sign an agreement of investment and trade to encourage more Japanese to invest in Cambodia, Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told Chinese-language newspaper the Commercial Daily.

According to earlier reports, during his visit with a 30-member delegation, Hen Sen will call on Emperor Akihito and hold talks with his counterpart Shinzo Abe.

He will also deliver a keynote speech to an investment promotion seminar organized by the ASEAN-Japan Center.

Japan has been Cambodia's largest donor country for many years but lags behind other countries in the field of investment. Both sides are now discussing an investment agreement to facilitate the Japanese investors in the kingdom.