Ek Tha
PHNOM PENH, May 17, 2013 (PRU) – Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Dr. Sok An shared his views in a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Yuji Kumamaru regarding the increasing Japanese investment in the Kingdom thanks to the country's positive environment.
In the last couple of years, nearly 80 prominent Japanese companies have come to invest in Cambodia, including more than 40 companies located inside the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and 30 other companies are operating outside the SEZ, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An said Cambodia appreciates greatly Japan’s consistent and steady long-term Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) for Cambodia and remarked that this is now being overtaken by a notable increase in Japan’s foreign direct investment to Cambodia.
Mr. Kumamaru stated that “our bilateral relationship is now making a big leap forward. Japan will continue providing ODA to Cambodia in the future, and many other companies are already eyeing Cambodia”
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reports that investment from Japan increased to $258.87 million US in 2012 from $120 million US in 2011, while two-way trade increased to $799.81 million in 2012 from $512.56 million US in 2011.
They also discussed a range of other areas in which Japan continues to play an active role in Cambodia, including the field of legal and judicial reform, and the International Coordinating Committee for Angkor and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, in both of which Japan acts as co-Chair with France.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An thanked Japan for its continuing support, and said that the Royal Government of Cambodia, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, has achieved many reforms and is working to develop the human resources as well as fighting corruption which play a vital role in attracting foreign investment in addition to peace - security and political stability. End