King And Queen Depart For Kt After Concluding Four-day Visit To Cambodia

By Noor Shamsiah Mohamad

SIEM REAP (Cambodia), May 31 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah departed for Kuala Terengganu tonight after concluding a six-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia.

The government executive jet carrying the royal couple took off from the Siem Reap Airport at 6pm to the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu.

Also on the plane was Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who was the minister-in-attendance, Tengku Sri Bendahara Raja Tengku Mustafa Kamel and Tengku Sri Temenggong Raja Tengku Baharuddin.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Chaufea Veang Kong Som Oi and Siem Reap Governor Sou Phirin and Malaysian ambassador to Cambodia Datuk Adnan Othman were at the airport to see off their Majesties.

The visit to the two Asean countries had enhanced bilateral ties not only in the social, economic and political arena but also in the cultural aspect.

Tuanku Mizan's visit to Laos was historic as it was the first by a Malaysian Head of State in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Tonight Tuanku Mizan will open the 12th Sukma Games in Kuala Terengganu.

Malaysia Biggest Investor In Cambodia

From Noor Shamsiah Mohamed

PHNOM PENH, May 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been the biggest investor in Cambodia for 14 consecutive years with investments totalling US$2.19 billion (RM7.3 billion).

Malaysia's Ambassador to Cambodia Datuk Adnan Otman said that according to the March 2008 report of the Development Council of Cambodia, Malaysia ranked top, followed by China with investments of AS$1.761 billion.

"Among the business carried out by Malaysian companies are power generation, textile manufacturing, construction, hotels, restaurants, telecommunications, insurance, banking and petroleum," he said in his speech at a dinner hosted by the Malaysian Business Council in Cambodia at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal here Thursday.

Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, who are on a four-day official visit to Cambodia, were the guests-of-honour.

Adnan said Cambodia was becoming a popular destination for Malaysians, especially for those looking for business and investment opportunities.

"The number of Malaysians who came to Cambodia in 2007 was 84,039 people, from 36,876 in 2006.

"Cambodians who went to Malaysia in 2007 totalled 23,193 people compared with only 9,957 people in 2005," he added.

King Wants Malaysian, Cambodian Businessmen To Enhance Cooperation

From Noor Shamsiah Mohamed

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin said there were ample opportunities for Malaysian and Cambodian businessmen to venture into.

His Majesty, who arrived here Wednesday for a four-day visit to Cambodia, said the increase in trade volume between Malaysia and Cambodia augured well for the growth in trade between the two countries.

"Malaysia will continue to encourage its businessmen to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Cambodia while welcoming Cambodian businessmen and investors to Malaysia," he said at a state banquet hosted by Prince Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace here Wednesday night.

Tuanku Mizan was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

Present were Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is the minister-in-attendance, and Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia, Datuk Adnan Othman.

Malaysian King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Queen Nur Zahirah visiting Cambodia

Malaysian King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Queen Nur Zahirah disembark their plane at Phnom Penh international airport May 28, 2008. The Malaysian king is on a six-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Malaysian King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin walks as Queen Nur Zahirah greets Cambodian officials upon their arrival at Phnom Penh international airport May 28, 2008. The Malaysian king is on a six-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Malaysian King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin walks as Queen Nur Zahirah greets Cambodian officials upon their arrival at Phnom Penh international airport May 28, 2008. The Malaysian king is on a six-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea