Dear members, partners, and friends,
As I pen my last newsletter intro and prepare for a new adventure in Australia, it’s a fitting time to reflect on my time here, and I have to say it’s been quite an amazing journey. We've worked hard to improve this weekly newsletter and I hope you've found it useful. I'll almost miss the Friday morning scramble to get it out in time each week but it's certainly being left in capable hands.
I’ve been lucky to meet so many great people while working here and I’d like to thank everyone who made this experience special. It would be great to keep in touch, and you can reach me at brianbadzmedia@gmail.com.
Next week, there will be no newsletter due to the Pchum Ben holiday, but it will return the week after. I’d also like to take the chance to welcome Stew Post, who will join the communications team after the holiday. Thanks again to my colleagues and everyone I've crossed paths with in this role over the years. See you when I see you! |
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Interview with Manuel Azibi, Resident Twinning Advisor at France Education International |
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This week, we interviewed Manuel Azibi, Resident Twinning Advisor at France Education International, who recently arrived in country to spearhead efforts on the Supporting Upper-Secondary (Grade 10, 11, 12) Technical Education Reforms in Cambodia” project under the EU. Manuel's core responsibilities include improving the links between schools and companies to ensure students are learning the right skills to succeed in the future workforce and have valuable internship opportunities. Read on to find out how Manuel will help make this possible! |
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Cambodia's trade volume with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries reached $22.92 billion from January to August 2024, marking a 17.2% increase from the same period in 2023. Trade with RCEP nations accounted for 62% of Cambodia's total trade, which totaled $36.94 billion. Cambodia's exports to RCEP countries rose 15%, reaching $6.05 billion, while imports increased by 18% to $16.87 billion. Key trading partners include China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore |
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EuroCham and GDPPP host the webinar on Public-Private Partnerships Opportunities in Cambodia |
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In order to raise public awareness and support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s efforts to drive infrastructure investment in the country, the European Chamber of Commerce hosted a webinar on the General Department of Public Private Partnerships (GDPPP) on Thursday, September 26. H.E. Meas Soksensan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy and Finance, kicked off the event which drew nearly 100 stakeholders to the virtual space.
A dedicated body streamlining cooperation between businesses and the government on infrastructure projects, the GDPPP is a “one-stop service” to catalyze private investment in key sectors. Focused on a variety of industries such as tourism, logistics and green energy, the group’s representatives highlighted some of the initiative’s successes, notably the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway.
As interest in the opportunities provided by the GDPPP continues to grow, the initiative is expected to be a key driver in the strategic partnerships that can set Cambodia on the path of sustainable development and economic growth. |
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RBH Coordinator Sam Schleipman attends the United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific |
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EuroCham, the Responsible Business Hub (RBH) network, and colleagues from GIZ-Cambodia have been participating in the United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific, this week in Bangkok. Cambodia's RBH Coordinator, Sam Schleipman, spoke as a panelist during the session titledBridging Commerce and Rights Advocacy: What Business Associations Bring to Rights Advocacy.
EuroCham plays a vital role in promoting the adoption of responsible business practices and advocating for strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies, which are not only good for business but also beneficial for people and the planet in the long term. |
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EuoCham team attend 24th Give a Day |
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On Wednesday 18th September, EuroCham's Service Team (Mr. Panhaboth PHAT and Ms. Mikavaty SALY) attended the 24th Give a Day event, hosted by Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact Cambodia in collaboration with the Cambodia National Advisory Board for Impact (Cambodia-NAB), under the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment under the topic of “Thriving Cambodia’s Impact Investing Ecosystem” at Khmer Enterprise Office.
The event objectives were to explore Cambodia's impact investing landscape in depth, aiming to offer insights into the current state of the ecosystem and collect feedback from key stakeholders. |
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Responsible Business GFT Awards 2024: Deadline for applications extended! |
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We are excited to announce the extension of applications for the Responsible Business GFT Awards 2024 2024 until September 30th. This presents an exceptional opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to sustainability and stand out as a leader in the Garment, Footwear, Travel Goods, and Accessories (GFT) sector.
We are proud to have Wing Bank as our exclusive sponsor this year, providing a remarkable chance for businesses to win up to $9,000 in Wingpoints (equivalent to 900,000 Wingpoints), which will be directly credited to the Wing Bank App of the awarded factory employees.
Wingpoints benefits include: - Shopping at thousands of merchants displaying the "We Accept Wingpoints" sticker.
- Easily topping up Cellcard phones through the Wing Bank App.
- Ordering food and more via Wingmall.
- Simple conversion: 100 Wingpoints = $1!
Are you prepared to empower your workforce and highlight your dedication to sustainability? Seize this opportunity! Apply now before the deadline.
Learn more about Wingpoints: |
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- The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) has partnered with the Swiss non-profit DFINITY Foundation to explore blockchain and AI-driven tech infrastructure solutions in Cambodia. This collaboration will focus on developing sovereign cloud technology and exploring innovative applications for smart city infrastructure by utilizing the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) technology's scalability, immutability, transparency, and smart contract capabilities.
- In a surprise move last week, the National Assembly on 20 September voted unanimously to swap the roles of the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Inspection. H.E. Sok Soken will now serve as Minister of Inspection and H.E. Huot Hak will serve as the new Minister of Tourism.
- AirAsia Cambodia is expanding its reach with a new route from Siem Reap to Singapore starting November 9, 2024. This announcement, made in a press release on Monday, complements the previously announced Siem Reap to Phuket route, both scheduled to commence during the upcoming winter season.
- Cambodia and Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Higher Education Exchange Programme spanning from 2024 to 2029. The agreement was finalised during a bilateral meeting between H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.
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Bumrungrad Health Briefs #39: Battling Breast Cancer: Understanding Risks and Prioritizing Early Detection In 2022, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in around 670,000 deaths globally. This disease not only stands as the most prevalent cancer among women, topping the list in 157 out of 185 countries surveyed, but it also manifests in men, accounting for about 0.5–1% of all cases. This highlights its widespread impact across genders. Controllable Risks Individuals can mitigate their risk of developing breast cancer through lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying active. Additionally, the extended use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms has been linked to increased health risks if used for more than a year. It is crucial to consult healthcare providers to weigh the risks and benefits of HRT and make informed decisions. |
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Find this week's Advocacy Compass updates below! |
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Green Business Forum 2024 |
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EuroCham's Green Business Committee is proud to present the Green Business Forum, taking place on Friday, November 1st at Novotel BKK1.
This full-day event is a pivotal initiative in supporting Cambodia's ongoing transition towards sustainable development. The forum aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforces Cambodia's commitment to building a green economy. It will serve as a platform where industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and sustainability experts can gather to explore both the opportunities and the challenges of integrating sustainable practices across various business sectors.
The forum will delve into key topics such as energy, financing, business standards, green jobs, and skills development to foster a sustainable future. Date: Friday 1st November Time: 8:30am-4:30pm Venue: Novotel BKK Ticket: EuroCham members: $45/ Standard ticket: $60
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