Clinton talks cash injections at ASEAN

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

Thursday, 12 July 2012
Cheang Sokha and David Boyle
The Phnom Penh Post

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday told delegates at the ASEAN Regional Forum her country would put “our money where our mouth is” with its regional development assistance, starting with a down payment she would announce in coming days.

Clinton said that under the Obama administration, Asia had become a strategic priority, but acknowledged the region wanted to see greater US engagement “across the board”.

“But you are particularly focused on areas where our presence at times has been underrated,” Clinton said, identifying economic interrogation and development as two areas she wanted to address.

“We have more investment in ASEAN than we have in China. That is a surprising fact to many people in our country,” Clinton noted.

Large group of U.S. tycoons visit Cambodia for investment possibilities

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A large group of 96 U.S. billionaires, mostly spouses, have been visiting Cambodia in order to explore investment opportunities, said a senior Cambodian official.

The delegation was from the United States' Chief Executive Organization (CEO) and was led by Kenneth M. Quinn, former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and president of the World Food Prize Foundation, and John Ruan III, a member of the CEO and chairman of the Ruan Transportation Management Systems.

On Thursday afternoon, the delegation had met with Cambodia's government officials led by Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon, who is also the minister of economy and finance, at the Peace Palace.

"The delegation wanted to study about Cambodia's potentials for investment opportunities," Om Yintieng, advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting. "They can be new investors for Cambodia in the future."

Cambodia: Next hot destination for US business investment?

Cambodia may be next Asian tiger

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, May 9 (UPI) -- Cambodia may well be the next hot destination for U.S. businesses looking to invest in Asia.

The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, which lobbies on behalf of some of the biggest multinational corporations with interests in Southeast Asia, has sent a delegation to the country this week to seek new investment opportunities in Cambodia.

During their daylong tour Wednesday, nine U.S. executives will meet with Telecommunications Minister So Khun as well as State Secretary Kao Kim Hourn and Health Minister Nuth Sokhom, amongst others.

"Our delegation is here to deepen existing economic ties between the U.S. and Cambodia and to explore new opportunities. We know Cambodia is experiencing unprecedented growth. We believe our corporations bring the wherewithal to help sustain the growth in ways that will strengthen Cambodia," said Frances Zwenig, counselor of the Council and delegation leader.

The businessmen taking part are representing ConocoPhillips, General Electric Company, Federal Express, ITT Defense and Oracle.