PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13, 2012 (PRU) – Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Dr. Sok An shared views with the outgoing Pakistani ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia that the two countries can exchange more trade and investment, from which they will benefit economically, while also enhancing bilateral relations.
“So far we have witnessed real progress bilaterally. We need to move much more beyond that. Both our countries can push forward on many fronts since we have much common ground,” His Excellency Dr. Sok An, who is also Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, told the outgoing Ambassador.
“Our foremost task is to improve trade and investment.”
In November 2012, the Deputy Prime Minister presided over the inauguration of Cambodia’s Honorary Consul General in the city of Lahore in Pakistan, such a move aiming to facilitate bilateral trade, investment and the tourism sector.
As His Excellency Dr. Sok An has said previously, tourism arrivals in Siem Reap province, the home of Angkor, have recently increased 27 percent. Cambodia receives an estimated 3 million tourists a year.
Cambodia has commercial flights linking Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, where the Kingdom’s beaches have been recognized among the 32 Most Beautiful Bays in the World.
The Kingdom of Wonder has an estimated 1000 historic temples, including 90 historic sites in Siem Reap province, His Excellency Dr. Sok An said.
The Pakistani Ambassador, His Excellency Fazal-ur-Rahman Kazi, in response said that Pakistani investors “want to open garment factories in Cambodia” and this will increase trade and investment.
The two-way trade between the countries has increased to more than $43 million for the first 6 months of this year from $25 million last year.
“Cambodia should take more advantage of Pakistan in many sectors such as banking and tourism,” said the diplomat.
Pakistan has good services in banking and railroads, in addition to the fact that its education and training are in English, a commercial language, said the Ambassador.
Islamabad is also looking to provide academic training for Cambodian as part of Cambodia’s efforts in building its human resources after this nation went through tremendous losses in more than 30 years of civil strife before it was ended in 1998 thanks to the win-win strategy championed by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia.
The Ambassador recalled that bilateral ties are “excellent” thanks to growing diplomatic relations since their resumption in 1992 after being initiated in 1952. They were suspended by the Democratic Kampuchea regime—known as the Khmer Rouge—that ruled this nation from 1975- 1979.
Pakistan congratulated Cambodia for the successful hosting of the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Phnom Penh in November, and is grateful to the Kingdom for her support to Pakistan to become a full ASEAN dialogue partner.
The outgoing ambassador said that Islamabad eyes to invest in ASEAN, the ten-country bloc of Association of Southeast Asian Nations including Cambodia, given that Pakistan sees the region has potential growth.
The Ambassador also expressed his deepest condolences to the Cambodian government, royal family and people over the passing away of King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk last month.
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