Week 562

Wednesday, 28.5.2008: The Japan International Cooperation Agency Helps to Develop a Core Project on Khmer Minerals

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 562

“Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy of Cambodia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] signed an agreement on the implementation of a core project to improve mineral exploitation and the mineral industries in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“The signatures were made by the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Mr. Suy Sem and by the Resident Representative of JICA, Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro [米田一弘JICA事務所長], on the evening of 26 May at this ministry.

“The Director General of a department of the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Mr. Sok Leng mentioned that the study focuses on a clear joint overview to improve the exploitation and the development of mineral resources, which includes the creation of strategies for the exploitation and for the development of minerals, mineral exploitation taxes, the transfers of techniques, and the development of human resources. The study will start in late 2008 and will finish in early 2011 – it will take thirty months.

“Mr. Sok Leng said that work to be implemented is first, to check the current situation of the mineral sector; second, to improve the information data on mineral geology which exist on 1:200,000 and 1:100,000 maps; third, to increase investment in the mineral sector; fourth, to create a storage for GIS data [Geographic Information System”] of the information on the geology and on the areas where minerals exist; fifth, to create a website for making the information available publicly; sixth, to send officials to be trained inside and outside of the country, and seventh, to transfer this knowledge to Cambodian officials through the implementation of this project.

“Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro said that the JICA sees the the development of the private sector as a priority to develop, in order to improve investment. Recently, the international need for minerals is growing; and Cambodia is known as a country with a potential of minerals which attracts other countries. He added that the study does not only focus on action plans to improve investment, institutional reforms, the development of human resources, and the preservation of the environment in mineral exploitation, but it also focuses on the creation of a GIS system and the development of basic guide and introductory books on minerals. JICA hopes that after the project has been implemented, the Ministry will develop its capability and then can strengthen its own work in developing mineral exploitation.

“The Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Mr. Suy Sem said that now, through signing this agreement, Japan starts to provide Cambodia with grant aid and a new cooperation in the field of mineral management and mineral development in Cambodian. It is the first time for Cambodia that the mineral field receives technical assistance from Japan through JICA..

“The Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Shinohara Katsuhiro [篠原勝弘 駐カンボジア日本国特命全権大使] also attended the signing ceremony.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4600, 28.5.2008

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Wednesday, 28 May 2008


Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #108, 28.5.2008

  • Survey of the [US based] International Republican Institute: 75% of Khmer Citizens Will Go to Vote to Change Leader


Deum Ampil, Vol.3, #70, 28-3.5-6.2008

  • [There was surprise about a report that Sam Rainsy Party deputy secretary-general] Mu Sochua Has Left the Sam Rainsy Party to Join with Kem Sokha [of the Human Rights Party], but She Denied This Report
  • International Police Issued of Red Warrant [a warrant issued internationally to arrest a criminal] to Arrest Ms. Chea Ratha; She Had Been Removed from the Position of Advisor and It Has Been Requested [by the Ministry of Defense] to Revoke Her Rank [as deputy head of the general staff of the Military Police – related to an acid attack]


Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1652, 28.5.2008

  • Cambodia-Japan Bilateral Meeting of Joint-Cooperation Committee on Drug Control Was Held
  • Areas Attacked by the Tropical Cyclone in Myanmar Are Facing Infectious Diseases


Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #163, 28.5.2008

  • [Finance Committee of the National Assembly and the Cambodian People’s Party parliamentarian] Cheam Yeap Pretends to Close His Eyes to Reject the Publication of a British Newspaper [The Guardian] Which Had Published an Article “Cambodia, a Country for Sale” [Mr. Cheam Yeap said that there is no sale of land, but it is the investments which covered almost 45% of the land]
  • People from Legal Professions Said that [the National Election Committee President] Im Soursdey and Secretary General Mr. Tep Nitha Will Not Be Able to Escape from Penalties in the Future [because they have created tricks to prevent people who do not support the Cambodian People’s Party to vote, and allow Vietnamese to vote to define the Khmer future]


Khmer Sthapana, Vol.1, #23, 28-30.5.2008

  • The National Election Committee Requires Political Parties to Report Their Equipment for the Campaign
  • The Phnom Penh Municipality Plans to Relocate a Garbage Dump to a New Garbage Site in Early 2009 [from Stung Meanchey District to Baku Village, Dangkao Commune, Dangkao District, Phnom Penh, an area of 39 hectares]


Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6356, 28.5.2008

  • Cambodia Adds US$250,000 to Fill [Myanmar assistance] Up to US$300,000
  • Chinese Investment Company [Tianjin – 天津 – Union Investment and Development Group] Invests US$300 Million in the First Step to Develop Koh Kong [after the executive director of this Company Mr. Li Zhi Qiang discussed reportedly the project with Mr. Hun Sen on 27 May 2008]


Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3471, 28.5.2008

  • [Sam Rainsy Party president] Mr. Sam Rainsy: The Party that Wins the Election Has the Right to Organize the Government, but It Cannot Alone Control Committee of the National Assembly
  • Rice Price Might Dramatically Increase Soon if the Government Does Not Release Rice of Nearly Two Million Tonnes from Storehouses [according to observers]


Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4600, 28.5.2008

  • The Japan International Cooperation Agency Helps to Develop a Core Project on Khmer Minerals
  • The Court Requires Mr. Sam Rainsy to Appear to Give Explanations to the Court in Early June
  • Malaysian King [Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIII of Malaysia] Will Visit Cambodia Today

Have a look at last week’s editorial: The oil price spiral – special investments – and a comparison of the activities in Myanmar and in China

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