Hotel Cambodiana: 02 April 2013
− Hon. Jose De Venecia, Former Speaker of the Parliament of the Philippines;
− Neak Oknha Kith Meng, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Group and Chairman of Cambodia Airlines;
− Mr. Ramon S. Ang, President of San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Airlines,
− Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I have the pleasure and honour to be with you all at today’s Signing Ceremony of the Joint Venture Agreement between Cambodia Airlines, and Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation. This ceremony is indeed important as, on the one hand, it contributes to the successful implementation of the Royal Government’s policy to promote the tourism industry, and on the other hand, helps promote the connectivity within ASEAN member states and the world.
On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I wish to offer my warmest congratulations to the managements of Cambodia Airlines and its partner, Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation, for their joint venture initiatives, which lead to the creation of new air routes between Phnom Penh/Siem Reap and Asian destinations, especially Manila, whose flight is expected to take off in the near future.
I believe that this joint venture will contribute to the further strengthening of the friendship and bilateral cooperation between the government and people of the two countries.
The Royal Government of Cambodia under the wise leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has embarked upon wide-ranging reforms, aimed at serving people through institutions that are transparent, responsive and efficient; enhancing values of motivation, loyalty, professionalism and a culture of service to be upheld by civil servants; and continuously improving investment climate for domestic and foreign investors to do their businesses in Cambodia.
Thanks to the successful implementation of the reforms, Cambodia’s GDP increased substantially, reaching US$14.23 billion in 2012. Per capita income also grew significantly from US$229 in 1993 to US$990 in 2012 and is expected to exceed US$1,000 in 2013. Mainly due to the sustained high economic growth, poverty rate dropped from 50% in 1994, to 20% in 2012 and to an estimated 19% in 2013— a drop of more than 1 percentage point per annum. After a slow growth in 2009, limited by the global financial and economic crisis, the growth rate picked up again in 2010, touching 6% and reached 7.3% in 2012.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The joint venture agreement between the two airlines companies are of great importance, as it will contribute to promoting Cambodia’s tourism sector, which is one of the engines for economic development and growth in the Kingdom. We are fortunate to inherit great historical, cultural and natural heritage, such as Angkor Wat Temple and the beautiful natural environment and wildlife, including forests, rivers, lakes, world-class beaches, offshore islands and, the rare Mekong River dolphins. Our Kingdom has a long history with prosperous civilization and culture. Khmer ancestors did not only leave us numerous tangible and intangible assets such as temples, arts, and traditional dances, but also other priceless national identities.
With these, Cambodia undoubtedly has a comparative advantage in tourism which continues to blossom and contributes to the development of the service sector. The number of international tourist arrivals increased significantly from around 118 thousand in 1993, to 786.5 thousand in 2002, to 2.88 million in 2011, and reached 3.58 million in 2012, a double-digit increase of 24.4% over 2011-2012. We expect tourism arrivals to be 4.5 million in 2014 and to reach 7 million by 2020.
The importance of the new routes to be introduced can be best highlighted in several aspects.
First, they will foster people-to-people links between Cambodia and Asian countries, in particular between Cambodia and the Philippines, which will increase two-way visits, both business and leisure travels.
Second, the introduction of new routes will further expand economic cooperation, as they will provide convenience for investment and trade between Cambodia and the Philippines as well as the Asian countries.
Third, exchanges in culture and tourism are to be further promoted, thanks to the new connecting flights between Phnom Penh and Asian destinations.
Fourth, exchanges in education and personnel will also be greatly facilitated.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The signing ceremony of the joint-venture agreement between Cambodia Airlines, and Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation is indeed a timely event. It will lead to the building of new routes by air for facilitating these exchanges and cooperation, which are expected to increase significantly, in particular when the ASEAN economic community comes to its realization by the end of 2015.
To conclude my remarks, I would like to once again express my heartfelt congratulations and support to the joint venture business launched by Cambodia Airlines and its partner, Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation. I believe that their business will thrive fast, and that this joint-venture investment will bring about closer bond of friendship between the people of the two countries, as well as a closer economic cooperation for mutual benefits.
Finally, I wish Cambodia Airlines and its partner, Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corporation, ever greater success, and also wish Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen good health, great success, happiness and a Happy Khmer New Year, which falls on the early morning of 14 April.
Thank you very much!