Saturday, 23.6.2007: Japanese Imperial Ambassador: This Is an Appropriate Time for Japanese Investors to Look at the Investment Market in Cambodia

Posted on 24 June 2007. Filed under: Week 513 |

The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 513

“Phnom Penh: Mr. Shinohara Katsuhiro, the Japanese Imperial Ambassador to Cambodia, said that it is time that Japanese investors look at the investment market in Cambodia, because now everything in Cambodia is changing.

Mr. Katsuhiro said in a forum, organized by the Club of Cambodian Journalists on 22 June, ‘Now the Japanese investors start to pay attention to Cambodia, and next month a group of Japanese investors will come to study the investment market in Cambodia.’

“Officials of the Japanese Embassy said that a delegation of Japanese investors will come to Cambodia in mid July. Those companies are now registering for this visit.

“The trip to study the investment market in Cambodia by a group of Japanese investors is conducted after Cambodia signed an agreement on liberalization, encouragement, and protection of investment [from Japan], during Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen’s visit [to Japan] from 13 to 16 June 2007.

“According to the report of the Japanese Embassy, Japan is a big donor country to Cambodia. The statistics shows that from 1992 to 2006, Japan had provided aid of approximately $1,177 million to Cambodia, and recently the head of the Japanese Government pledged that Japan will maintain the policy of providing aid to Cambodia for three years with approximately $112 million per year. But so far, there are almost no big Japanese investors in Cambodia, compared to other countries.

“Mr. Katsuhiro said that aid is the government’s work and investments is an issue of private companies, but for Japanese companies to invest capital, first they do a lot of research on security, social politics, [land] mines, etc.

“He stated, ‘Providing aid is based on the government’s decisions, but decisions on other investments depend on the private sector; but this time I believe that the situation of the society and the conditions for investment in Cambodia have changed. This is a good time for Cambodia to receive more foreign investments.’

“He stated that Cambodia has much potential for development and for attracting investments, such as for the development of oil, bauxite mineral, and other resources.

“According to statistics of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, from 1994 to 2006, South Korea is the country which has made the biggest investments of approximately $2.36 billion, and China has invested $1.58 billion [including Hongkong/Macau/Taiwan?] – as for Japan there were investments of only $22 million. This figure is even smaller than the investment figures from the USA and the European Community, though Japan is leading in the investment markets in the ASEAN countries.

“Mr. Katsuhiro stated, ‘Japanese investments in Cambodia are very small; however, I hope there will be more investments.’” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4318, 23.6.2007

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 23 June 2007

Chakraval, Vol.15, #2691, 23.6.2007

In Mid July, [Yamamoto Kôzô] the Japanese Senior Vice Minister [of the Ministry of Economy] Will Lead Investors from Ten Companies to Cambodia
Illegal Constructions Mushroom in Meanchey District; With Money, Constructions Can Be Conducted Freely [Phnom Penh]

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1373, 23.6.2007

Nearly 100 People Holding Banners Enter Banteay Meanchey Administration Office to Ask for Help to Solve Issue of Rice Fields [grabbed by rich people]
Thai Rebels Try to Draw International Attention

Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6073, 23-24.6.2007

Pakistan Provides a $10 Million Loan for the Construction of the Stung Ta Sal Dam [Oral, Kompong Speu]
Man Slashed from Behind and Then His Throat Was Slit [by another man who escaped] Allegedly for Sorcery [Baribour, Kompong Chhnang]

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3192, 23-24.6.2007

Mr. Sam Rainsy Welcomes Much Aid That Cambodia Gets, but He Is Concerned over the Loss of Aid through Corruption
Mr. Yim Sovann [Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian from Phnom Penh] Demands Ministry of Finance to Change Corrupt Customs Officers at Ports
Japan Wants to End Culture Corruption in [Cambodian] Government
Chan Sarun, [Minister of Agriculture], also Called Ngo Hong Srun, Protects Forest Crimes at Tum Ring in Order to Save Face of Kingwood Company of His Wife Sok Keo
Siam [Thailand] Is Still Ambitious to Take Khmer Preah Vihear Temple [it opposes Cambodian request for listing the temple as a UN World Heritage]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4318, 23.6.2007

Japanese Imperial Ambassador: This Is an Appropriate Time for Japanese Investors to Look at the Investment Market in Cambodia
Mines Used [by officials] to Destroy Mreah Prov [softwood tree] Oil Refinery Sites [Veal Veng, Pursat]

Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #434, 23.6.2007