Phnom Penh Municipality To Increase Public Bus Service in Mid-April

24 March 2014

The Phnom Penh City Hall is planning to expand more routes for public bus service in Phnom Penh in mid April after its successful bus service pilot project on Preah Monivong Blvd. from the Old Stadium roundabout to Chbar Ampov market in February, under the cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The bus service will be expanded to Mao Tse-Tung Blvd., Kampuchea Krom Blvd, Road No. 271, Preah Monivong Blvd. from Takhmao to Preak Pnov market and so on.

During the first 10 months, 118 buses will be used for this expanded service, which will begin in mid-April. The bus ticket will cost 1,500 Riel (US$0.37) as during the trial period.

According to Phnom Penh Municipal, the bus service project is aimed to reduce traffic accidents and traffic congestion as well as to change the Cambodians’ habit from using personal cars to public buses, as the number of cars in Phnom Penh now reached 300,000 and around 1 million motorbikes.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=43447

Cambodia Sends a Diplomatic Note to Thailand over Killing of Cambodian Border Crosser

24 March 2014

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has sent a diplomatic note to the Thai government through the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh over the killing of a Cambodian border crosser last week. A group of nine Cambodians crossed the border into Thailand and met Thai troops who opened fire on them and killed a 38-year-old man. A report of the Cambodian Ministry of Interior showed that 69 Cambodian illegal border crossers and loggers were shot dead by Thai soldiers in 2013.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=43404

Cambodia Marks the 20th World Water Day

24 March 2014

Ministry of Rural Development in cooperation with national and international organizations, including Plan International Cambodia and UNICEF, on Friday last week jointly celebrated the World Water Day at Kampong Speu – one of the provinces with least access to safe water.

Themed Water and Energy, the celebration of the 20th World Water Day is expected to faster fix the safe water deprivation among approximately a half of Cambodian population, especially in the rural areas.

In addition to encourage everyone to consume safe water, the ministry official also stated that half of sick children in Cambodia are caused by unsafe water. Surface and ground water serve as drinking water sources. Surface water usually has microbial contamination, while groundwater in six provinces of Kandal, Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Thom has been affected by high concentration of arsenic contamination.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=43400

PM Hun Sen: Both Poor and Rich Children Can Go to School

24 March 2014

Prime Minister Hun Sen said both poor and rich children can go to school. He said it is easier and better to minimize the “gap of brain” than to reduce the “wealth gap” and adding that the government’s old policy is “One commune has one lower secondary school”, but the current objective is “One commune has many lower secondary schools” and both rich and poor children have access to education.

According to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia has in total 5,807 kindergartens, 7,236 primary schools, 1,279 lower secondary schools, 531 higher secondary schools, and 105 higher educational institutions.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=43402

CPP and CNRP at deadlock again

24 March 2014

The negotiation today between working groups of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and Cambodian People's Party ended in stalemate as the two sides failed to reach an agreement on how to reform the National Election Committee.

CNRP said after the meeting that the joint committee of the two parties would not be able to meet weekly, but the meeting can take place when necessary. CNRP demanded that the National Election Committee shall be a constitutional body which shall be approved by two-thirds of the 123-seat National Assembly. However, CPP disagreed on the demands.

Source:

http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=NGFiY2UyYzEyMWQ#sthash.194CeLZZ.dpuf

Hun Sen calls for stronger focus on youth and sports

24 March 2014

At the annual stocktaking and direction-setting conference of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Prime Minister Hun Sen highlighted several priorities such as promoting equitable access to education for all. He stressed the need to enhance the quality and effectiveness of education while promoting institutional and human capacity for decentralization.

He specifically called for a "youth volunteer network" aimed at marshaling youth forces and helping local communities to ensure that young people grow into good citizens that can define the future of the country and protect social harmony. At the same time, he also stressed the need to strengthen technical vocational education and training as well as "soft skills" such as the spirit of team work, professional discipline and ethics in the workplace.

In addition, Prime Minister also called for the development of public and student sports associations with physical education and sporting programs in accordance with national and international practices. He also highlighted the need to focus on improving, repairing and developing sporting infrastructure and to start preparing now for the SEA Games to be hosted by Cambodia in 2023.

Source:

http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=ZmY3MWUzMTg5OWE#sthash.4pPRp5uT.dpuf

Philippine clothing brand to open store in Phnom Penh

24 March 2014

Philippine retailer Golden ABC Inc, which owns Penshoppe and five other homegrown brands, is embarking on an aggressive expansion program this year to further solidify its presence here and abroad.

Golden ABC said that they were looking to put up 25 Penshoppe branches abroad and another 25 to 50 outlets of the company’s various brands domestically. The company is also opening an outlet in June 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Source:

http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=OThlNjEzMGMzNTQ#sthash.cUsTatdS.dpuf