Australia To Provide AUD1 Million to Agricultural Sector in Cambodia

AKP Phnom Penh, May 02, 2012 –

Australia planned to provide AUD1 million in aid for the first agricultural census and agricultural sector in Cambodia, essential to reach a rice export promotion strategy designed to raise rice exports to at least1 million tons by 2015.

In her remarks delivered at the Cambodia Rice Research Forum held here on April 30, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Ms. Penny Richards indicated that the census will help to give a data for the country’s agricultural sector in improving the policy and other programs being needed for meeting the Cambodian farmers’ requirements, as well as poverty reduction.

The project will show the national and international resources available to support the agricultural sector and the rural development in Cambodia, notably implementing the royal government’s rice export promotion goal as well, she said.

Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries H.E. Chan Sarun, who presided over the forum, expressed thanks to the Australian government and European scientists for assisting a process of the research and the development of the rice production in Cambodia in the past.

The royal government prioritized agricultural sector in all circumstances for a process of the country’s development, he said, adding that in 2011, the agricultural sector contributed more than 28.4 per cent of GDP and increased roughly 3.3 percent, including agricultural products (54 percent), production and veterinary (15 percent), fisheries (25 percent) and forestry (5 percent).

Cambodia’s economy depended on agriculture with about 80 percent of population making their lives on the field, he said.

To cope with such a situation, Cambodia was considered by the development partners and stakeholders as the one with a potential and top priority for rice production, aimed at contributing to strengthening the food security in the country and the world as well, he stressed.

The forum was organized by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Cambodia’s Agriculture Ministry with the support of the Australian government.

The event also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange insights on attaining the country’s goal of exporting one million tons of milled rice by 2015.

By THOU Peou

A message from the Australian Ambassador: HE Ms Penny Richards

The Phnom Penh Post
Penny Richards
Thursday, 26 January 2012

I would like to wish all Australians in Cambodia a very happy Australia Day.

Since the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and the first fleet in Sydney Cove on 26th January in 1788, Australia has developed into a vibrant, multicultural and tolerant society.

Once Australians would have looked to Europe, from where those ships came, for its political and economic security. However, we now recognise that with our geographic location in the Asia Pacific, our present and future are intertwined with this region. I’m pleased to say that in Cambodia, Australia has an important regional partner.

While our two countries established diplomatic relations over 60 years ago, the basis for the modern-day relationship with Cambodia took root during the negotiations for the Paris Peace Accords in which Australia played a key role and which led the way to democratic elections in Cambodia.  March 2012 will mark the 20th anniversary of the arrival of multinational peacekeepers under the auspices of the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia. The military component was led by an Australian, Lt. Gen. John Sanderson.

Twenty years on, this Australia Day I’m proud to say that in 2011 we continued to stand by Cambodia in times of crisis. On 18 October 2011 the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced that Australia would provide A$2 million in emergency flood assistance to Cambodia.

Australia continues to work with Cambodian and other international partners to support Cambodia’s development. In 2011-12 Australia increased its development assistance to A$77.4 million, primarily in the areas of health, agriculture, infrastructure and legal and judicial reform.

Australia cooperates with Cambodia on a range of regional security issues such as maritime security and counter terrorism. Our law enforcement agencies work together to combat transnational crime such as illicit drug trafficking and child abuse.

Close people-to-people links add strength and warmth to the bilateral relationship. Australians can be found living and travelling throughout Cambodia as volunteers, NGO workers, businesspeople or as tourists. Many Cambodians are now choosing to study in Australia. Fifty Cambodians were selected in 2011 for fully funded postgraduate study under the Australia Awards scholarships, while others received Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships to undertake short courses in Australia.

Australia, as the longest-standing ASEAN dialogue partner, works cooperatively with Cambodia in a number of regional forums designed to promote regional stability and improve economic and social ties.

In 2012, with Cambodia assuming the rotating Chair of ASEAN, I look forward to this cooperation increasing to a new level. Australia looks forward to working with Cambodia to ensure successful outcomes from the ASEAN and East Asia Summit meetings.

Just as 2011 was, 2012 promises to be a big year in the bilateral relationship. I am sure that the friendly relations between our two countries will continue to grow and prosper.

Australia provides $2 million in aid to Cambodian flood victims

Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured)

Source: DAP News

WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2011  


Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured) on Tuesday announced the federal governmentwould contribute up to $5.15 million of aid for eight million people in need in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.


According to DAP News, out of the $5.15 million, Cambodia will receive $2 million.


Cambodia had suffered the worst floods in decades, with about 250 people killed and millions of hectares of crops and farmlands destroyed.


Currently, a few countries had provided relief aid to Cambodian flood victims, including China which provided $7.87 million, Japan which provided $320,500, Singapore provided about $50,000 and the United States provided $50,000.

Australia signs bourse deal

Monday, 03 August 2009 15:00 Nguon Sovan

The Phnom Penh Post:

Agreement will see 30 experts offer training on exchange laws

Photo by: NGUON SOVAN

ABV CEO Michael Lynch (left) signs the training agreement Friday in Phnom Penh with SECC Director General Ming Bankosal.

THIRTY Australian experts will today start a two-year training programme for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia (SECC), according to an agreement signed Friday.

The experts will help to build the capacity of SECC officials to ensure laws on the exchange are properly followed.

The deal was signed Friday in Phnom Penh between the Cambodian government; Michael Lynch, CEO of Australian Business Volunteers (ABV); and Margaret Adamson, the Australian ambassador to Cambodia.

Ming Bankosal, director general of the SECC, signed on behalf of the government, and said the agreement would also allow the ABV's experts to take part consulting on draft regulations for the exchange.
"[This agreement] will ensure that professional skills are transferred to the officials of the SECC, and will provide training for the public and participants in the market as well," he said at the ceremony.

The ABV's Lynch said the experts are specialists in a number of key areas.

"Thirty Australian experts volunteered for the two-year agreement, which is planned to cost US$1.5 million [and is being] financed by the Australian Agency for International Development," Lynch said. "They have different expertise: Some are specialised in securities skills, some have banking skills, and some are lawyers."

He said the group would provide training on securities and stock exchange law, as well as advising on taxation, money-laundering and corruption. Lynch said the programme's relatively low cost is due to its voluntary nature.

"Our people will give their time for free - they are not getting a salary," he said. "They are willing to support Cambodia."

Chea Pengchheang, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said the technical assistance would provide a significant boost to capacity building at the SECC.

Korea, Australia, ADB provide US$165.5mil for VN, Cambodia road

Korea, Australia, ADB provide US$165.5mil for VN, Cambodia road improvements

22:12' 05/12/2007 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge - Republic of Korea, Australia and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are providing $165.5 million in loans and grants to Vietnam and Cambodia to rehabilitate transport infrastructure to promote cross-border trade and support economic development in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

ADB will provide a US$75 million loan to Vietnam and a US$7 million loan to Cambodia to help fund the Greater Mekong Sub-region Southern Coastal Corridor Project. South Korea will extend a US$50 million loan to Vietnam through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, which provides official development assistance to developing countries. Australia will extend grants of US$25.5 million to Vietnam and US$8 million to Cambodia.

Vietnam will contribute US$58.2 million and Cambodia will provide US$3.7 million to complete funding for the project.

“Cooperation in the transport sector has been given a high priority in the Greater Mekong Sub-region because the poor state of transport infrastructure is a major constraint to economic growth, trade and other forms of cooperation,”  Paul Vallely, senior transport specialist of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, said in an announcement the bank released on December 5.

The Greater Mekong Sub-region is composed of countries sharing the Mekong River – Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Southern Coastal Corridor runs for 924 kilometers from Bangkok through Cambodia
and ends at Nam Can in the south of Vietnam. The project specifically involves the rehabilitation of 15 kilometers of national road in Cambodia that links to the border of Vietnam and the improvement of 96.1 kilometers of national highway in Vietnam, which includes the construction of two bridges across the Cai Be and Cai Lon rivers. New cross-border facilities will also be developed.

The Cambodian section of the project is expected to be completed in June 2012 and the Vietnam section in December 2014.

The project should result in reduced travel times and lower vehicle operating costs along the corridor, which would encourage economic activities, provide employment opportunities and improve access to social services.

(Source: SGGP)

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2007/12/758229/

 

[Australian] Govt promises $2.5m Cambodia landmine aid

Posted Tue Aug 7, 2007 4:46pm AEST

ABC News

Australian Broadcasting Corperation

Australia is to donate $2.5 million to rehabilitation services for people injured by landmines in Cambodia.

The money will target remote areas of Cambodia and will be spent on prosthetic limbs, physiotherapy and training.

The Federal Government says the two-year funding package will help the Red Cross provide mine risk education and the Cambodian Government develop a victim assistance plan for mine survivors.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/07/1998981.htm

Australia contributes to Cambodia for landmine action

16:04, July 31, 2007

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has contributed a further 1 million Australian dollars (AUD) to Cambodia for the mine action- related Clearing for Results (CFR) project, a press release said Tuesday.

 

This is part of Australia's 12 million AUD commitment to the project, made on International Mine Action Day, to be disbursed from 2007 to 2010, it added.

 

Since 1996, Australia has committed approximately 56 million AUD to mine action-related activities in Cambodia, including 3 million AUD to Clearing for Results in 2007, according to the press release.

 

CFR is funded by a group of donors, currently including Australia, Canada, Adopt-a-Minefield, Spain and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and provides resources for demining and for capacity building of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), it said.

 

Cambodia remains one of the three countries in the world most affected by landmines and unexploded ordinance, it added.

Source: Xinhua

Australia gives US$1.2 million for bird flu education in Cambodia

Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The Australian government gave Cambodia US$1.2 million (€880,000) on Wednesday to help raise awareness about the risks of bird flu.

Knowledge about the deadly H5N1 virus has increased rapidly in
Cambodia, but backyard poultry farming — a way of life for most rural families still poses an enormous challenge for the country, Australian Ambassador Margaret Adamson said at a signing ceremony Wednesday.

The money will be used by the United Nations Children's Fund for its ongoing project producing bird flu awareness posters, billboards, and radio and television spots.

Last year, the Australian government also gave UNICEF US$765,000 (€562,290) for the same purpose.

Suomi Sakai, UNICEF's country representative, said the existence of backyard poultry farms near living quarters increases the potential for transmission of the H5N1 virus.

"We know that bio-security remains poor in Cambodia," Sakai said.

Even though awareness about the virus is now higher than before, "we need to remain extremely vigilant all year-round," she added.

Bird flu has killed at least 172 people worldwide since it began its spread through Asian poultry in 2003, according to WHO.

Seven people have died from the virus in Cambodia. The latest was the death of a 13-year-old girl last month.

 

Australia to increase aid to Cambodia in 2008

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

The Australian government has decided to increase aid to Cambodia by 11 percent in the coming year, but the actual amount is not specified, local media reported on Wednesday. Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Margaret Adamson told Prime Minister Hun Sen here on Tuesday that the aid will target agriculture, health and scholarships for Cambodian students, reported Cambodian daily newspaper the Kampuchea Thmey.Australia will continue to help Cambodia in order to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Eng Sophallet, personal assistant to the premier, was quoted by another Cambodian daily newspaper the Koh Santepheap as saying.

Hun Sen said that the Australian aid is well-suited to Cambodia 's rural development and poverty reduction strategies and thanked the Australian government for its continuous assistance to Cambodia, reported the Koh Santepheap.

Hun Sen also requested the Australian government to assist Cambodia for its 2008 national election, reported the Kampuchea Thmey.Hun Sen paid a six-day official visit to Australia in October 2006.

As the visit was wrapped up, Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh told reporters that the Australian government is to offer to Cambodia over 123 million Australian dollars (around 92 million U. S. dollars) of aid in the next 5 years.Among it, 48.5 million Australian dollars (some 36 million U.S. dollars) goes for comprehensive projects from 2006 to 2007, and 45 million Australian dollars (some 34 million U.S. dollars) for agricultural projects and 30 million Australian dollars (some 22 million U.S. dollars) for justice and penal affairs in the next 5 years.

From 1996 to 2006, Australia has offered a total of 424 billion Australian dollars (around 318 billion U.S. dollars) of aid to Cambodia. Australia is the kingdom's third largest donor, trailing Japan and the United States.

Source: Xinhua

 

Australia gives $12m to clear landmines

Wednesday, April 04, 2007
April 4, 2007
AAP

Australia is to provide $12 million to help clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Greg Hunt, Australia's special representative on mine action, said this announcement was to mark International Mine Action Day. He said the money would help to clear explosives from millions of square kilometres of land across affected areas in Cambodia.

"Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries with up to six million landmines estimated to be scattered throughout the country," he said in a statement.

"According to the United Nations, close to six million of Cambodia's rural poor are affected by mines. A third of all victims are children.

"We will allocate $12 million through the Australian Agency for International Development, (AusAID) to the United Nations Development Programme's Clearing for Results program."

Mr Hunt said Australian aid, plus that from other countries, had helped to reduce mine and unexploded ordnance casualty rates from 3,000 to 450 a year.

He said Clearing for Results had proved its effectiveness, exceeding its land clearance target for 2006.

In 2006, 8.7 million square metres of land were cleared of mines, well in excess of the annual clearance target of 5.9 million square metres.

Mr Hunt said the program had also helped to combat the devastating effects of unexploded ordnance which now caused more casualties than landmines in
Cambodia.

"Our additional funding to be disbursed over four years will help to continue the good work of the program and allow de-mining teams to continue clearance work," he said.

"Since 1996, Australia has committed around $50 million to mine action-related activities in Cambodia, including $2 million to Clearing for Results last year.

"Australia has pledged $75 million over five years to 2010 for global mine action activities."

Source: http://ki-media.blogspot.com