Mr. Taing Eng said Cambodia has worked aggressively to strengthen and improve cooperation for Cambodia’s development through free market economic mechanisms.
And not one word about politics or power.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25668//
CAMBODIA TO BENEFIT FROM PAN-BEIBU PACT
NANNING – Cambodia strongly supports the Pan-Beibu Gulf (PBG) economic cooperation plan as it could boost the Kingdom’s economy through trade, investment, tourism and other sectors, a senior Cambodian official said last week.
Hou Taing Eng, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Planning, made the comments during the 9th Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum in China last week.
The forum was held to discuss the Asean-China land and sea connectivity under the framework of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
Mr. Taing Eng said that building the Pan Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation was very meaningful and important in the name of friendship, cooperation and peace for people in the region, as well as contributing to sustainable development across the globe.
“I believe each Asean nation is unique and different, not only in respect of geographical features but natural resources and human resources potential,” he said. “Hence, making cooperation, setting target of cooperation and allocating human resources are crucial and I urge institutions or specialized departments to prepare a thoughtful management in implementation.”
Mr. Taing Eng said Cambodia has worked aggressively to strengthen and improve cooperation for Cambodia’s development through free market economic mechanisms.
“To do this requires a broad and honest cooperation with all development partners and ensures that all types of cooperation with all countries are effective,” he said.
He also pointed out that the governments of Asean and China should promote good conditions to attract investors to play their roles in making economic activities more active.
“When the governments of all countries in the region and investors work in harmony, I am confident that the region will have sustainable development as is the desire of all leaders,” he said.
Peng Qinghua, Secretary of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangxi People’s Congress, said that China-Asean cooperation has been deepened continuously and added that the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation has become an important sub-regional basis for cooperation between China and Asean.
“We will jointly promote Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation to a new stage. Focusing on the construction of international channels, we will enhance the construction of a transportation system integrating high-grade highways, railways, aviation, ports and sea transportation, which connect the southwest and central south of China and south China and all countries of the Pan-Beibu Gulf,” he said.
“We will take the initiative to declare a free trade zone in Beibu Gulf in China, promote policy communication, facility linkage, smooth channels of trade, accommodation of funds and common popular support, achieve a higher level of interconnection,” Mr. Peng Qinghua added.
Chen Wu, the governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, told the forum that for about 10 years since the initiative of the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation was put forward, all parties had adhered to the concept of openness and inclusion and win-win cooperation.
“The Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum thereby has become a popular major platform and important brand of international cooperation,” Mr. Chen Wu said.
Lim Sidenine, a Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, said cooperation between China and Asean will ensure the improvement of the economy of Cambodia, such as trade exchanges and put Cambodia in a free market zone with competition.
“We expect that this cooperation will push exports from Cambodia to China and when we talk about economic development with Asean and China, there is a policy to help each other to ensure the member states have developed. Currently, we export rice to China and China helps us with infrastructure, transportation, ports and human resources,” Mr. Sidenine said.
He stressed that the cooperation between China and Asean will enhance the country’s economy and make advances in transportation, bridges, railways, expressways, logistic distribution centers, law and regulations to make sure production costs are lower.
“Cambodia has faced problems with infrastructure, finances and human resources, therefore, the cooperation will provide many advantages to Cambodia since Cambodia is behind most Asean countries,” Mr. Sidenine said.
“There are many benefits with the China-Asean corridor to Cambodia. We get benefits from this cooperation, such as tourism, agriculture and rice milling factories and electricity investment and human resources development,” he added.
He said China is a major partner for Cambodia’s development in many sectors such as the rehabilitation and development of infrastructure and telecommunications and energy. Many Chinese companies have invested in Cambodia in roads, bridge construction and hydro-dams.