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Friday, april 10, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL assembly likely to Affordable Women’s uphill pass emergency housing up in roll into sushi law this Friday phnom penh scene in Japan national – page 3 business – page 5 lifestyle – page 13 ‘Half a PM imposes lockdown billion’ Niem Chheng fall into HE government has ordered a lockdown of all district and pro- poverty vincial borders within theT Kingdom from midnight on Thursday to midnight on INTERNATIONAL aid group April 16. Oxfam on Thursday urged The public is not allowed to world leaders to agree a travel out of their districts or comprehensive rescue pack- provinces to halt the spread age to muster some $2.5 tril- of Covid-19 in light of the lion needed to prevent half impending Khmer New Year. a billion more people being The only exception is Phnom pushed into poverty by the Penh where no travel restric- coronavirus pandemic. tion is applied. It warned that the eco- An executive order signed nomic fallout of the corona- by Prime Minister Hun Sen virus risked setting back the said the lockdown does not fight against poverty by a apply to goods transporta- decade, and as much as 30 tion by land, waterways and years in some regions air, state vehicles and other including Africa and the means of transport used by Middle East. officials on duty from all state Oxfam cited research by institutions at national and the King’s College London sub-national levels. and Australian National It also does not affect ve- University estimating that hicles used by members of as many as half a billion the armed forces on duty, people could be forced into government and private am- poverty, or eight per cent of bulances, fire engines, waste the world’s population. collection trucks, or vehicles “An ‘Emergency Rescue transporting workers to and The transport of workers with permits issued by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is exempted from the lockdown order. Hong Menea Package for All’ would enable from their workplaces with poor countries to provide permits issued by the Minis- 118 on Thursday. Of the num- friend, and is being treated the hospital. covered on Wednesday are cash grants to those who have try of Labour and Vocational ber, 39 are women. at the Khmer-Soviet Friend- Of the total 118 cases, 68, a 79-year-old Viking Cruise lost their income and to bail Training. The latest case was found ship hospital. or 57.63 per cent, have recov- Journey passenger from the out vulnerable small busi- The people’s urgent visits to on Wednesday in a 30-year- On Thursday, the Ministry ered. Among them are a Chi- UK and five French tourists nesses,” Oxfam said. hospitals or health centres are old Chinese woman residing of Health reported the first nese national, four British, a who tested positive while Among the measures that also exempted, but no more in Phnom Penh. She con- case of relapse. It said the 40- Belgian, 24 French nationals staying at a hotel in Siha- should be undertaken than four persons are allowed tracted the virus from an- year-old man from Phnom including a four-month-old noukville. include the immediate can- in each case. other Chinese national who Penh’s Russey Keo district baby, seven Malaysians and The ministry’s Department cellation of $1 trillion worth The lockdown comes as the has since returned to China tested positive again 15 days 31 Cambodians. of developing country debt Kingdom’s Covid-19 tally tops with his Vietnamese girl- after being discharged from The latest patients who re- Continued – page 3 payments in 2020 and the creation of at least $1 tril- lion in new international reserves. “G20 finance ministers, the IMF and World Bank must give developing countries an Two killed by lightning in Svay Rieng immediate cash injection to help them bail out poor and Khouth Sophak Chakrya just as they were arriving home Svay Teab district police her right hand. local authorities, lightning vulnerable communities,” from work in Prasat commune. chief Keo Sophorn told The “Her son sustained three strikes have killed four people said Oxfam International A couple was killed by a light- “They died from a lightning Post that on Wednesday, rain- cuts on his head. Both mother in three provinces this year – interim executive director ning strike in Svay Rieng prov- strike, while they were riding a storms in Sambor commune’s and son are being treated at one each in Takeo and Pailin Jose Maria Vera. ince on Wednesday, while a motorcycle back home from Prey Toteung village caused the Svay Rieng provincial hos- provinces, and two in Svay Oxfam warned that while mother and son suffered inju- work in the rain. They were serious injuries to Sok Doeurk, pital,” he said. Rieng. many wealthy nations have ries due to a rainstorm in the struck by lightning when they 42, and her four-year-old son Three houses in the village Rainstorms were responsible introduced multi-billion- same area. arrived at the gate of their house Saing Chantha. were also damaged during the for the death of two people in dollar economic stimulus Bavet town police chief Em on motorcycle,” he said. “During the incident, the storm. Preah Sihanouk province, and packages to support busi- Sovannarith told The Post on Sovannarith said a lighting house collapsed while Doeurk National Committee for Dis- caused injuries to seven more ness and workers “most Thursday that Khan Nak, 45, and strike also killed two cows in and Chantha were inside. She aster Management spokesman – two in Kampong Cham, three developing nations lack the his wife Preab Sat, 38, were killed Bavet commune’s Bavet Kandal [Doeurk] sustained serious Khun Sokha said on Thursday in Pursat and two in Svay Rieng financial firepower to follow by lightning at around 5:30pm village during the same storm. injuries to her head and broke that based on reports from provinces, Sokha said. suit”. AFP

Kingdom between Don’t miss our Special Report Covid-19 and a hard place Inside page 6-7 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Hun Sen vows Stung Treng men injured to maintain in bear attack Soth Koemsoeun peace, reform TWO men who were looking for fruits were seriously injured after Niem Chheng “As a result, Cambodia re- they were attacked by a bear on a mains at peace with indepen- mountain on Monday. N AN open letter to the dence and integrity and has Siem Pang district deputy police nation, Prime Minister averted all disasters for the chief Khun Davy named the victims Hun Sen said the gov- Cambodian people,” he said. as Euy Re and En Nham, both 29, ernment will do its best He said in this year of the from Santepheap commune, Siem Ito maintain peace and con- rat, the government will “try Pang district, Stung Treng province. tinue its reform strategies our best to maintain the The men are Kavet ethnic minori- as Cambodia and the world peace, political stability, se- ties and were treated by doctors at grapple with the Covid-19 curity and social order, and Stung Treng Referral Hospital after pandemic. to protect the constitution, their rescue. The seven-page letter the monarchy and achieve- They sustained serious injuries to dated April 1 wished the ments that have been made their faces while one of them lost an people a happy Khmer New thus far. eye in the attack. The incident took Year and covered many top- The letter said the govern- place on what villagers call Kanom ics, including the success of ment will pursue its sweep- Prime Minister Hun Sen said the government will try to maintain peace, political stability, security and Mountain, which is 3km from their social order, and to protect the constitution, the monarchy and achievements made thus far. HONG MENEA last year, both economically ing reforms to strengthen houses, Davy said. and politically. However, good governance, national tinue to boost electricity cials who keep money over- in turn affects the people’s “When authorities arrived on the Hun Sen also wrote that an institutions, decentralisa- supply to cover the whole seas and those involved in daily lives and the economy. scene, the relatives of the victims economic slowdown is likely tion, public administration, country, develop industry, deforestation. They are per- “Another problem is that had already sent them to the Stung due to the ongoing global public finance management, commercial transportation, secuting environment pro- some opposition politicians Treng Provincial Referral Hospital. Covid-19 crisis. the judicial system and the tourism and agriculture. tectors and undermining are taking advantage of the The villagers confirmed that it was a In the year of the pig, he fight against corruption. He wrote that everyone social order. This is power situation by misleading the bear that attacked them. said, the government suc- The reforms will also in- needs peace, except the ter- abuse and serious corrup- public so they can turn them “We then went to see the victims cessfully maintained na- clude human resource de- rorist who want to destroy tion,” he said. against the government. at the hospital to ask about the inci- tional independence, peace, velopment and promotion peace. Kin Phea, the director That’s why the prime minis- dent. We saw their situation had got democracy, territorial in- of the education system, dig- Affiliated Network for So- of the Royal Academy of ter has pledged to retain the a lot better and they were no longer tegrity and social achieve- ital economy, the fourth in- cial Accountability executive Cambodia’s International value of peace at all costs. on the brink of death,” Davy said. ments, prevented interfer- dustrial revolution, national director, San Chey, urged Relations Institute, said the “During this Covid-19 cri- Santepheap commune police ence in Cambodia’s internal and international markets the government to address Kingdom might face many sis, if we cannot manage the chief Sin Sovannary said the men affairs and attempted revo- and the enhancement of so- pressing social problems in- challenges this year, mostly situation, we will make this were lucky to have escaped alive. lution in all forms that con- cial support systems, public cluding corruption. arising from the Covid-19 virus spread and it will cause “They were a lot better and survived tradicted constitutional law health and infrastructure. “I think the government pandemic. He said it will a social and political crisis,” death,” he said. and democracy. The government will con- should take issue with offi- impact social health, which he said. Nham told police that the two went to the Mountain to pick fruits to sell at the market. When they reached the mountain, they saw a female bear with her two cubs. “He said they did not talk or do Snatch thief causes death of woman biker anything to the bear and continued to pick fruits where they were. When Kim Sarom “They are working on this case. I According to a Boeung Keng Kang cumbed to her injuries at Calmette Re was picking up a fruit, the bear have already told the district police III police officer who asked to remain Hospital the same night. suddenly lunged toward them and AUTHORITIES in the capital are chief,” An said. anonymous, a witness said the inci- The victim lived in a rented room in attacked. searching for a snatch thief who Boeung Keng Kang district police dent happened around 8pm in front Sansom Kosal village, Boeung Tompun “They tried to run but could not so grabbed a woman’s bag on Monday, chief Sim Piseth could not be reached of house number 96, St 310. commune, Meanchey district, Phnom they had to fight the bear. During the causing her to fall to her death from a for comment. Prior to the incident, the victim, Penh. She came from Sandan district, attack, Re lost one of his eyes and was motorbike in Boeung Keng Kang III. Boeung Keng Kang III commune Liv Lay Huoy, 23, a staff at electron- Kampong Thom province, An said. bitten on the face which made it hard Boeung Keng Kang district governor police chief Suoy Samith said police ics store Kfour, was seen riding her After authorities identified the to recognise him, while Nham sus- Thim Sam An said he contacted the are investigating the case, which in- scooter on the street. Another mo- victim, they contacted her parents tained injuries on his face but it was district police urging them to continue cludes checking a security camera. torbike riding close behind snatched around midnight. Her funeral was not as serious. investigating the case. He said informa- “Let us do our work first. We are her bag which caused her to crash. conducted at Toul Sangke pagoda, “Nham then made a phone call to tion must be collected and investigated checking the security camera,” Samith An ambulance was called to take Tuol Sangke commune, Russey Keo the villagers to take them to the hos- to find the identity of the suspect. said before hanging up on a reporter. her to the hospital but she suc- district, Phnom Penh. pital,” Davy said. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Looking for Khmer New Year retail sales plummet right kit to Thou Vireak

ETAILERS in Phnom spot virus Penh have com- plained about re- Continued from page 1 duced sales ahead ofR Khmer New Year as people of Communicable Disease tighten their expenses over Control (DCD) said most recov- fears of the spread of Covid-19. ery cases are in Phnom Penh Prime Minister Hun Sen on (13), Preah Sihanouk (24) and Tuesday announced the post- Kampong Cham (8), with the ponement of the Khmer New rest in 10 other provinces. Year holidays as the Kingdom Ministry spokesperson Or seeks to contain the Covid-19 Vandine declined to elabo- pandemic. However, ancestral rate, saying more details ceremonies were allowed to would be provided in a press be held at home as usual. conference on Monday. Though people across the Late last month, Pasteur In- Kingdom are set to buy food stitute in Cambodia (IPC) said and drinks for the festivities the National Institute of Pub- from April 13-16, it won’t be lic Health (NIPH) has joined the same as last year. in the efforts to diagnose and Hak Layheak, a vendor selling identify cases of Covid-19 by vegetables, food and assorted retrospectively analysing ex- groceries, told The Post that isting samples from influen- sales are down compared to za-like illness (ILI) and severe this time last year and that peo- acute respiratory infection ple are not spending as much (Sari) surveillance. because of the coronavirus. It said at present, there are “I am not selling very well. no Rapid Diagnostic Tests I can sell some items but not approved for diagnosing as well as last year and my Covid-19. revenue is down. I’ve noticed “IPC has been diligently that candles and incense are testing and validating Covid- not selling as well as groceries 19 molecular testing kits during this time,” she said. Though people across the Kingdom are set to buy food and drinks for the festivities from April 13-16, it won’t be the same as last year. HEAN RANGSEY that have been generously Mey Ranath, 56, a food vendor donated to Cambodia from in the city, said the pandemic sell about 30 tin cans of rice and partly a result of having to close tween 60 and 80 cups of cof- land such as canned mackerel countries all over the world, has battered her business over more than 10kg of meat a day. one branch at Chbar Ampov fee per day and it used to be and noodles fetch high prices. including China,” IPC said, the past three months. “But now I sell around 10 market after the Ministry of much higher than that close A dozen cans of mackerel cost adding that now NIPH is ca- Recent factory closures cans of rice per day, so I’m Health confirmed a positive to Khmer New Year,” she said. 30,000 riel ($7.50) and it con- pable of doing Covid-19 test. have cost tens of thousands worried that I won’t be able case of Covid-19 nearby. Another vendor, who asked tinues to increase,” he said. “IPC, along with NIPH, of workers their jobs, which to afford the next payment on “The branch used to sell not to be named, said certain The government recently DCD/MoH [Ministry of comprise a substantial por- my bank loan,” she said. well, but since the authorities commodities had gone up in banned exports of white rice, Health], and all other stake- tion of her clientele, she said. Khim Song, the founder of Idol found a case of Covid-19 in price despite the general drop paddy and fishery products in holders are committed and “Rice and meat sales used to Coffee, which has four branches the area, it has become quiet, in sales. an effort to maintain food se- working tirelessly to help pro- be good, especially close to the in the city, said business activi- so I decided to close it. “Most of the goods import- curity and keep prices down tect the Cambodian people Khmer New Year celebration. I’d ties have slowed down. This is “I was selling on average be- ed from Vietnam and Thai- amid the health crisis. against Covid-19,” it said. ‘Heed instructions,’ says embassy as Japan’s Abe declares emergency Ry Sochan closed areas without air cir- city will exercise their authority culation, crowded areas and in accordance with the law on THE Cambodian Embassy in close contact with others. special measures,” he said. Japan has called for its na- The embassy quoted Japa- On Tuesday, the PM’s Of- tionals living there to take nese Prime Minister Shinzo fice of Japan Twitter account heed to the Japanese authori- Abe as saying: “The declara- said: “I believe we will surely ties’ instructions to maintain tion of emergency does not overcome this situation if good health and vigilance have the purpose of shut- we reduce people-to-people after a state of emergency ting down cities like shutting contact by 70 per cent, ideally was declared in seven pre- down cities abroad. by 80 per cent.” The National Assembly (NA) will hold a plenary session on Friday to debate and potentially approve a draft fectures due to the Covid-19 “Public transportation, in- There are more than 16,000 law outlining how the country would operate under a state of emergency. national assembly outbreak. cluding trains and buses, Cambodians citizens in Ja- The state of emergency cov- public services such as water, pan. Of that number, 913 are ers Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saita- electricity, gas, telecommuni- students, more than 10,800 ma, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, cations, are still operating. The are trainees and workers, and NA likely to pass state of and Fukuoka prefectures and governors of the provinces and 4,900 permanent residents. will be in effect from April 8 to May 6. The decision was emergency law on Friday made after a spike in corona- virus cases in Japan. Khorn Savi The session also voted on Palace that the possibility of “Please cooperate and heed changes to some expert com- using the law is 0.1 per cent. the call of the Japanese au- THE National Assembly (NA) mission members of the NA. “When the situation can- thorities to be steadfast and will hold a plenary session Long said the NA’s Com- not be controlled despite our on alert while on your trip. on Friday to debate and po- mission on Legislation and appeals, we will enforce the “Take good care of your tentially approve a draft law Justice and the Commission state of emergency. health, maintain good hy- outlining how the country on Interior, National Defence “To make it short, it will be en- giene, avoid big gatherings would operate under a state and Civil Service Administra- forced when people don’t listen and practice social distanc- of emergency. tion had reviewed the law and to the government’s advice on ing,” the embassy stated in a The session was a result of a agreed to forward it to the NA. containing Covid-19,” he said. notice on Wednesday. request made by the govern- “The expert commission Hun Sen maintained that It said the Japanese govern- ment to expedite the passing has reviewed and researched the situation in Cambodia ment is asking people in the of the law, NA spokesman the law, and it will be submit- had not yet reached an emer- seven prefectures to stay in- Leng Peng Long told The Post ted at the plenary session for gency, but the law still needed doors. Exceptions to the rule on Thursday. approval. They found the law to be passed. can be made for buying food NA president Heng Sam- to be appropriate and they He said he didn’t want to use or going to work, the bank or rin led a Standing Committee expect it to be approved,” he the law because declaring a hospital. meeting on Thursday, during said. state of emergency would af- Japanese authorities have which the decision was made to On Tuesday, Prime Minis- fect the people’s rights, com- also asked people to work There are more than 16,000 Cambodians citizens in Japan. Of that submit the draft law to the NA ter Hun Sen said at a special pound economic troubles from home if possible. They number, 913 are students, more than 10,800 are trainees and workers, for deliberation and approval. press conference at the Peace and cause other problems. recommended avoiding and 4,900 permanent residents. ROYAL CAMBODIAN EMBASSY IN JAPAN 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Police chief suspended for stealing state land

Khorn Savi land in Roka Khpos com- title. He approached the vil- mune, Takhmao town. lage and commune chiefs HE National Police “The land is about 40ha. On for their signatures on the has suspended Kan- January 11, 2018, it was listed already-owned lake land. So, dal provincial deputy as state property under the his suspension stems from police chief Sreng management of the Kandal this case,” he said. SokhaT after a police officer provincial administration. Sochet said he did not know claimed he had been occu- The land title was already is- what measures the provincial pying state land in Takhmao sued [to the state],” he said. administration would take town. Formerly a commune in against Sokha. Provincial police chief the province’s Sa’ang district, Deputy National Police chief Chhoeun Sochet told The Post Roka Khpos was incorpo- Chhay Kim Khoeun told The More than 25 waste incinerators have been issued by the Ministry of Environment. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT on Thursday that Sokha’s oc- rated into Takhmao town af- Post he was unaware of the sus- cupation of state land was un- ter Prime Minister Hun Sen pension. der the authority of the pro- signed a sub-decree on Janu- On Thursday, Nokor Drag- vincial and National Police. ary 8, last year. on News reported that Sreng Provinces get incinerators “He’s had no issues other “In the past, Sreng Sokha Sokha was ordered to appear than the land case involving went to buy land near the during working hours at the Voun Dara distances,” Pheaktra said. cent of the rubbish is dumped the Boeung Toteung Thngai lake and asked for a land staff office of the Kandal pro- He also said the Ministry of at landfills, with the rest vincial police. MINISTRY of Environment of- Environment had provided dumped on street corners, in According to the same re- ficials have handed out more 50 motorcycles with carts water sources, or burned. port, a senior Ministry of In- than 25 incinerators to local to the district authorities to The rate of increase in Cam- terior official stressed that the authorities to address short- transport rubbish from local bodia’s rubbish is around 15 per National Police could remove and medium-term waste re- areas to the incinerators. The cent annually. The increased Sokha from his position and duction in 15 provinces. motorcycles were a gift from volume is due to population bar him from working for the Ministry secretary of state the Chip Mong company. growth, consumer spending state in the future. and spokesman Neth Pheak- Chip Mong chairman Leang and packaging while the peo- It also said that Sokha had tra, told The Post on Wednes- Khun said the assistance was ple’s behaviour has changed used his role as provincial day that delivery of the in- a contribution to improve the little in terms of waste classifi- deputy police chief to pres- cinerators to the district beauty of Phnom Penh and cation and recyclables. sure local authorities to sign authorities had been in place some provinces by reducing “The increase in the amount the land over to him. since 2017, and that they are the amount of waste. of solid waste from year to year Last month, provincial gov- technically eco-friendly Pheaktra said rubbish in is of great concern to the qual- ernor Kong Sophorn told The and capable of burning two Cambodia currently stands at ity of the environment, public Post that he had been inves- to seven tonnes of rubbish more than 10,000 tonnes per health and the loss of beauty in tigating land encroachment daily. day and nearly four million the city and district,” he said. cases in Takhmao town. “The installation of a lo- tonnes a year, of which 65 per Pheaktra said there are still He said he would not allow cal incinerator will allow the cent is organic waste, 20 per many obstacles in waste man- state land to be violated and authorities to clean the en- cent plastic and the rest solid agement practises in Cambo- Kandal province deputy police chief Sreng Sokha has been suspended would take legal action against vironment and they do not waste and others. dia that could cause serious for occupying state land. POLICE such crimes. have to transport it for long He said only about 51 per effects in the future. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,065 1.4045 7.0601 108.88 4.3370 1.4239 32.80 0.6226 1.0872 1.2403 Prime minister boasts of strong 2019 growth

Thou Vireak has continued to grow and that there are 1,700 high-rises nation- THE government is touting a wide that are between five and 40 strong seven per cent economic storeys tall. growth from last year while brac- Last year, he said, tourism rev- ing for a significant slowdown this enue reached $10 million, up year with much of the blame being more than 12 per cent from 2018, put on the Covid-19 epidemic. with international tourist arrivals Prime Minister Hun Sen on to Cambodia totalling 6.61 mil- Thursday said the figure reflected lion visitors during this time. growth in many sectors, includ- He said the government opened ing industry, manufacturing, con- national roads 7 (93.7km), 13 struction, agriculture, service and (62.4km), and 53 and 151B tourism. (70.6km) last year. The govern- “The Kingdom is transforming ment also began construction of its economic structure from agri- a 190km high-speed highway from cultural production to industry Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. and service provision. The project is scheduled to be “The government carefully completed early in 2023 with a implemented macroeconomic $1.9 billion investment by Chinese policies and stabilised the econ- company Cambodian PPSHV omy by promoting economic Expressway Co Ltd. It is set to be diversification and competitive- the main trading route to the Sih- WorldBridge Homes Co Ltd on Thursday handed over 680 affordable homes. SUPPLIED ness. It also promoted the pro- anoukville Autonomous Port. duction and consumption of Meanwhile, he said, the govern- domestic products,” he said. ment broke ground on renova- However, the Asian Develop- tions of national roads 2 and 22 ment Bank downgraded its eco- (72.17km), 10 (198.72km), 58 Affordable housing on the up nomic projection for the King- (174.16km) and 55 (182.16km). dom to 2.3 per cent this year “Road and bridge infrastructure Hin Pisei nant homes that are affordable – espe- incomes to buy a home of their own. despite a strong growth of around has been consistently construct- cially the low and middle-income or “There are a lot of people who migrate seven per cent annually over the ed in line with the implementa- ORLDBRIDGE Homes Co vulnerable people, the Ministry of Land to work and study in Phnom Penh, so past two decades. tion of the Rectangular Strategy Ltd, a subsidiary of the Management, Urban Planning and the demand for affordable housing goes Meanwhile, the latest World Bank Phase IV [under the Public Finan- WorldBridge Group, of- Construction said in a press release. up accordingly,” said Soknoeun. report sharply revised Cambodia’s cial Management Reform Pro- ficially handed over 680 Keo Thoeun, who purchased one of the However, he said the prices of homes forecast for 2020 economic growth gramme],” said Hun Sen. Waffordable homes on Thursday as part homes, told reporters that her family had on the capital’s outskirts currently ex- to 1.0 per cent (lower case) and 2.5 He said international trade surged of a project to complete 2,457 units by raised money from her relatives to buy ceed the abilities of low- and middle- per cent (baseline), from around to $34.6 billion last year with exports the end of this year or early next year. the house on an instalment plan of more income people who must allocate their seven per cent previously, depend- hitting $14.91 billion. The $73 million project was started than two years and pay $281 per month. funds for food and other necessities. ing on two scenarios, it said, in a Ministry of Commerce spokes- in early 2017 on 23ha of land in Roka Thoeun, a former military officer in “I think that if an investment company report released on March 31. man Seang Thay told The Post on Khpos commune’s Koh Kor village Pursat province, said that despite not would build affordable homes with pric- The baseline scenario showed Thursday that despite the ongo- in Kandal province’s Takhmao town. having much income, she really want- es between $15,000 and $20,000, there severe growth slowdown followed ing health crisis, the government Prices for the new homes range from ed to have her own home where she would be a lot of demand,” he said. by a rebound to 5.9 per cent next is working hard to facilitate trade $25,000 to $30,000. could open a small business. To encourage companies to invest in year while the latter indicated registration. Formerly a commune in the prov- “I’m really happy to have my own home more affordable housing is to require deeper contraction followed by a He said the government is also ince’s Sa’ang district, Roka Khpos was with a payment plan that is not too much more cooperation between investment sluggish recovery. working to reduce the prices of incorporated into Takhmao town after of a strain for my family,” she said. companies and the government, he Hun Sen said the government some public services to continue Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a sub- Keller Williams Sen Sok regional op- said. The state can use public property gained momentum in many sec- encouraging trade. In particular, decree on January 8, last year. eration principal and Sam Sn Realty and give companies the right to invest tors last year such as trade, ener- the government is currently in the The handover ceremony was presid- Co Ltd president Sam Soknoeun told in it and sell it for cheaper prices. gy and electricity as well as infra- process of negotiating a number ed over by Minister of Land Manage- The Post on Thursday that affordable There are currently five affordable structure, all of which reflected of free trade agreements with ment, Urban Planning and Construc- housing is in great demand in the outer housing projects in the works com- the Kingdom’s strong economic many countries. tion Chea Sophara, and was attended districts of Phnom Penh where many prising more than 15,000 units, a min- growth. “A ministry working group is by government leaders and company people, especially workers are living. istry report said. He noted that hydropower and currently negotiating free trade representatives. “It’d be wonderful if there was afford- Two of these are located in Phnom coal power plant production agreements with China, South The handover is in line with national able housing development everywhere Penh, two in Kandal province and one reached 10.6GWh, up 9.93 per Korea and Russia while consider- housing policy and aims to provide in Phnom Penh’s outer districts. It’ll give other in Banteay Meanchey province, cent compared to 2018. ing agreements with India, the people with comfortable, safe and dig- a chance for those with low and medium it said. He said the construction sector UK and Japan,” he said. PPSEZ records $1.1 billion in trade volume last year

May Kunmakara total trade value handled by office in the Phnom Penh Spe- zones in key provinces. or industries if they want to until Covid-19 is contained. the 18 SEZs in Cambodia in cial Economic Zone. He named Preah Sihanouk, apply for a new factory or for “During such a tough time, PHNOM PENH Special Eco- 2019. This is something we, as “We never feel it is enough. Vietnam border provinces like imports/exports,” said Heng. it’s important to make action nomic Zone Plc (PPSEZ) post- the developer of the zone, are We will keep trying hard to Svay Rieng, Kampot and Koh Uematsu said factories in plans as simple as we can and ed $1.139 billion in trade vol- proud of,” it said. improve and develop our serv- Kong, and Thailand border PPSEZ will remain operational carry them out quickly. ume last year, up 14 per cent PPSEZ, which also wholly- ices and facilities so that our provinces like Battambang, during the ongoing pandemic. “We also set our action plan to from 2018. owns and manages the Poi Pet PP existing investors feel more at Banteay Meanchey and Oddar However, if the situation is not go to the next stage of our busi- This is the second largest vol- SEZ, is the capital’s largest SEZ. ease and more new investors Meanchey. contained soon or in the event of ness activities in the post-Covid- ume of exports among the King- PPSEZ managing director will join,” said Uematsu. In the remaining provinces, an outbreak, factories will close. 19 world’,” said Uematsu. dom’s special economic zones Hiroshi Uematsu said last year’s Cambodia Chamber of Com- existing Council for the Develop- “We assume most of the fac- Cambodia exported $2.7 bil- (SEZs), after majority Chinese- top notch business performance merce vice-president Lim ment of Cambodia (CDC) pro- tories in PPSEZ are still operat- lion worth of goods through its owned Cambodia Sihanoukville came as a result of good coop- Heng said SEZs play a crucial vincial sub-committees should ing as normal. That is what we SEZs last year, up 27 per cent Special Economic Zone. eration with local authorities. role in attracting more foreign approve investment projects hear from our tenants. from 2018, Ministry of Econo- There has been steady growth “We have been receiving good direct investment. with capital investment of more “However, due to the current my and Finance data shows. in investor trade activity over cooperation from [our] one- To attract more investors and than $2 million, he said. market situation in the world, As of the end of last year, the years, PPSEZ said in a state- stop service centre, especially reduce production costs, he said, “By doing so, existing and there might be some factories there were 465 companies ment on Wednesday. the effort to provide good serv- the government should establish new local and foreign investors which need to slow down their operating in the Kingdom’s 54 “This ranks us second with a ice and [simplify procedures for three special state administra- can easily receive administra- operations after a few months. SEZs employing more than share of 20.17 per cent of the our investors] from the customs tions or special autonomous tive services near their factories We don’t expect new investors 100,000 workers. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com S pecial​​ ReportReport Between Covid-19 and a hard place It’s simply a case of ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t!’. The state has put in place soft lockdown measures, possibly to avoid sending the economy into a shockwave but the effects of the virus are already shaking the core of its population, starting with job losses. With an order to remain at work as the infection rate creeps up, Cambodia could be backing itself into a corner

Sangeetha Amarthalingam

RE Cambodia’s anti- Covid-19 measures presenting them- selves as a double- edgedA sword? While they are calculated and weighed against the budget, the King- dom is faced with increasing costs to protect the health of its people. This is clear from its shock- ing decision to cancel the annual Khmer New Year holidays (April 14 to 16) and impose travel restrictions to limit the spread of the Covid- 19 infections. But deferring implementa- tion of a state of emergency infers more than that related to the pandemic. For starters, the staggered orders to close educational institutions, casinos, kara- oke centres, cinemas, gyms, nightclubs, bars and other venues are inconsistent with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s lat- est call to private and public sectors to carry on business- as-usual next week. He said it would be “safer” for employees to remain at work than travel around dur- ing the holidays as the latter puts the country at risk of higher infection. “So please understand the difficulties the country is fac- Factory suspensions have resulted in hardship among garment workers as Khmer New Year looms Hong menea ing now. It is not just the gov- ernment that is facing hard- tedly difficult to control. pared to other Asian coun- On one hand it is deter- made redundant upon the One expenditure is the ship. It is the people who will However, imposing a state tries, including Hong Kong mined to keep the popula- suspension of factories due government’s commitment suffer the most,” the premier of emergency is not urgent as and Taiwan, which were tion safe from the Covid-19 to a lack of raw materials and to pay $40 each to garment pointed out in the live telecast yet due to the low probability quick to impose lockdowns pandemic, but on the other, the fall in tourist arrivals fol- workers who are temporar- of his address on Tuesday. (0.1 per cent) of infections, after learning bitter lessons in the Kingdom is reeling from lowing travelling restrictions ily laid-off due the closure The government’s decision meaning the situation is still the equally debilitating Sars the escalating human cost in around the world. of some 100 factories, and is based on stemming the in- under control. outbreak in 2003. light of job losses in the gar- Instituting a strict lock- tourism-related employees, fection rate, particularly via Comparatively speaking, And herein lies its quanda- ment and tourism industries. down or a state of emergency such as tour guides and hotel mass prayers and large social Cambodia’s handling of the ry. The Kingdom is between a Some 100,000 workers in in Cambodia would require workers. gatherings, which are admit- situation is slow-paced com- rock and a hard place. these industries have been a colossal stimulus package This is a revision from the with cash and even food al- government’s initial 20 per locations to households and cent obligation towards gar- individuals. ment workers’ wages where Adjustments will also have they were to accept a 40 per to be made across macro- cent pay cut as factory own- economic policies to help the ers could not afford to pay the people and industries cope full $190 monthly minimum with the downturn. wage. This would be a tall order for The workers settled for Cambodia, which is already $114, of which 20 per cent dipping into its conservative was to be shouldered by the state coffers where some $8.2 government and 40 per cent billion had been set aside for by the employer. overall expenditure in 2020. But a plea by the factory The Covid-19 budget is owners who were forced to mostly banded together from fork out wages despite their tax revenues, savings from operational shutdown result- ministries, corporate and in- ed in the government’s deci- dividual donations, and bor- sion to pay a flat wage of $70. rowings, including a $20 mil- This was criticised by la- lion credit line from the World bour unions as lacking empa- Bank. thy, particularly in the current To date, some $918 million economic landscape. out of its top-end Covid-19 Starting Friday, the govern- budget of $2 billion has been ment will start dispensing the expended to tackle the coro- larger portion ($40) of wages navirus outbreak and pur- to the workers, as well as chase of urgent medical sup- tourism-related employees, plies and equipment. the Ministry of Economy and However, the breakdown of Finance told The Post. the funds’ actual usage has However, the total number Cambodia’s iconic Angkor Wat is bathed in silence as tourist arrivals plunge in Siem Reap yousos apdoulrashim not been revealed. of recipients has not been Economic trends and prospects in developing Asia: Southeast Asia Cambodia ���

THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Special​​ Report Figure �.��.� Fiscal indicators measures to promote the use of the riel, notably requiringconfirmed as the ministry is The twist in the plot in the process of collating the Every year, factory produc- actual figures of suspended tion and business activities Revenue factories. grind to a halt as millions of banks to denominate at least 10% of their loan portfolios“It is the same with thein Cambodians the travel home to tourism sector. We are not celebrate Khmer New Year Expenditure Fiscal balance sure how many companies with their families. and hotels are affected. The For many, it is one of the local currency. The central bank has sought partnersgovernment will to pay $40help to celebrations they look for- those in this industry while ward to in the year and em- � of GDP � of GDP employers can top up based ployers are legally bound to promote the use of the riel for transactions. Growthon their capacity,”in the said a observe the week-long public ministry official. holiday. �� � Tentatively, the payment Hence, its surprise post- will be made for two months ponement which is a clear money supply (M2)78 slowedChapter 2. ASEAN+3 from in the Global 24.0% Value Networks in 2018 tobecause 18.0% the Labour Law lastsays deviation from past practises. that businesses cannot be Granted, the cancellation suspended for more than two is critical to lower people �� � months. movement but keeping work- year, largely maintained by foreign currency deposits,A quick calculation which shows ers at-site is equally risky, so Moving up GVCs—Technological andthat the Skills government wouldUpgrading long as social distancing and is have to cough up $3.2 million not strictly enforced. This is �� � per month for some 80,000 coupled by the lack of data on accounted for 83% ofStructural the liquidity. Change Growth in creditworkers in theto two majorthe in- Covid-19 screening and con- dustries, assuming the situa- tact tracing. The manufacturing sector remains a key engine of tionliterature. does not recover This by June. includesTwo modelsdays ago, some developed 60 per by Markusen� � private sector accelerated from 23.2% in 2018 to 26.3%.The obligation, although This cent of industrial workers al- growth and employment in the ASEAN+3 region even as painful(1983), on its whose savings, framework and legedly said complements they were deter- the H-O model given that the economy is mined to celebrate the Khmer the 4IR takes o and the new economy gains momentum forecastby highlightingto contract to its 10-the Newimportant Year in their role provinces, of MNCs in locating rapid growth in lending raised private sector credityear low ofoutstanding 2.3 per cent (ac- claiming that it is “tradition”. -�� -� (Figure 2.5). MNCs have played a key role. The role of cordinginvestments to the Asian Develop- and productionSuch alleged in attempts di erent have countries in MNCs in the geographic location of FDIs to leverage mentorder Bank [ADB])to reduce in 2020, costs is since and been optimize thwarted withoutput a by nevertheless necessary. travel ban instituted between ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� from the equivalent ofon shifting82.8% comparative of GDPadvantage in the 2018ASEAN+3 to 94.7%.Deeweeleveraging Management on Con-their provincesrespective and districtscomparative from advantages sultants managing director today till April 16. economies is captured extensively in the development David(Figures Van said 2.6 Cambodia, and 2.7). A twist in the plot is if a like all countries, is affected scenario in the form of a Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance. Cambodia’s current account deficit widened fromeconomically. But12.2% the extent sharp of spike in infections de- Figure 2.5. Selected Economies: Manufacturing Sector Indicatorsis too early to pin down as velops, economic conditions it could swing from bad to are likely to be further com- low the 23.5 per cent of gross in a Covid-19 mould. Up to last Friday, about 100 New Year next week could be GDP in 2018 to an estimatedValue Added 17.6% as import growthworse,Employment or improve. outpacedpromised. And, it would not domestic product target for For instance, subsidies for factories have suspended op- one of the bleakest in many “We don’t know yet at this be just that. 2020 – up from the 20 per cent sick pay and healthcare ex- erations. Cambodia has some years,” Thorn stressed. (Percent of GDP) point.(Percent Experts haveof total predicted employment) A doctor practising in target in 2019. penditure can encourage 1,180 factories which employ Over at Siem Reap where the global economy might be a neighbouring country Expenditure is budgeted to some types of consumption nearly 1.2 million workers. Chinese tourist arrivals fell by exports (Figure 3.23.4).35 The dollar value of merchandiseaffected30 for one to two years, opines: “Poor countries like rise to 26.3 per cent of GDP and production, cash trans- Out of the total number, 95 per cent as of January 27, subject to how things evolve Cambodia with masses of un- this year compared to 22.4 fers to credit-constrained about 600 plants own the temporarily laid-off workers 30 and if a vaccine is produced educated have no clue about per cent in 2019. It reflects households, as well as liquid- 25 licence to export to the EU are grappling with no income for public use. This could Covid-19 and probably don’t the government plans for sig- ity injection so that firms can and the US but with western and savings, said Cambodia exports is estimated to25 have grown by 13.5% as merchandisetake six to 12 months. know they have it and are nificant stimulus to offset the stay in business and maintain brands postponing orders Association of Travel Agents “Cambodia20 should be com- spreading it. short-term impacts of Covid- global value chain links. or cancelling imports, more president Chhay Sivlin. 20 �����Asian Development Outlookmended for its package ���� to “No one will know the true 19 and lost trade preferences. The second difference re- factories are likely to apply to “They also have no special assist local small- and medi- statistics in these countries. It Meanwhile, the World Bank lates to the impact of policy have their operation stalled. skills that can help them se- imports rose by an estimated 19.5% on significant 15increases in 15 um-sized enterprises [SMEs], is the same for India and Bra- theorises that there are two responses. In the period of The government and cure another job,” she said. although such assistance is zil where there are slums.” differences in the current social isolation, the need to unions are bracing for more Some key persons in the only possible for formal com- In such countries, there is situation. consume is lower and sup- redundancies in the coming service industry have agreed 10 10 imports of construction materials, fuel, and vehicles.panies. Buoyanta very vast economic divide The aim of the immedi- ply is not very flexible. Supply weeks, which is why Coalition to take home 25 to 40 per cent “The majority of our local between the wealthy and the ate policy response is not within the country is also lim- of Cambodian Apparel Work- salary based on their compa- 5 micro5 SMEs remains infor- poor, with the latter making so much to restore demand ited by disruptions in input- ers Democratic Union presi- ny’s income. mal. We are not sure how the up the larger majority and because reduced supply and supplying countries. dent Ath Thorn said the $70 is “But many were let go. It foreign direct investment0 inflow—recorded at $3.7government’s billion, assistance can ahaving almost no access to overall activity are a neces- The factors from both the not going to help workers in is very hard to imagine how LA VN KH MM PH ID MY TH HK BN JP SG KR CN US MX reach0 them,” Van said. healthcare. sary consequence of efforts differences can reduce the this period. they are coping. Quite a num- LA MM KH VN PH ID TH MY BN SG JP KR CN US MX CLMV ASEAN-4 High Income To date, some 118 cases “Now that the global econ- to contain the spread of the strength of the policies with As it stands, most of them ber, face rental problems 15.4% increase from the previousimpact of year—continued COVID-19 on tradehave and beento reported CLMVservicesfinance with 68 omy ASEAN-4is is likely crashing and to people High depress Incomepandemic. multiplying effects being have debts “above their and other debts. I think they 2000 2010 2018 recoveries and one relapse. are out2000 of jobs, 2010 there is2018 a Instead, it serves to cush- much lower in the short term. heads”, he said, urging banks might borrow from their rela- Accordingly, 5,768 tests have sense of impending anarchy. ion households, especially “The optimal economic pol- to consider a moratorium on tives or return to their home- Sources: International Laborrevenue Organization; national below authorities; target. The World Bank; andExpenditure AMRO staff calculations.been conducted. is The budgeted seem- I feel the poorest to ofrise the poor from poorer ones, against income icy response would [however] their loans. towns where it is no better,” the current account deficit.Note: Value-added data forThis China and Myanmar permitted are available from 2004 and 2001, international respectively. Theingly latest low data number point for of Hong reported Kong andwould Japan either is 2017. die Employment of this dis- datashocks, for Hong and Kong to istide not firms over change over time and depend “On a monthly basis, a she said. available. The latest employment data point for Lao PDR is 2017. Employment data points for Myanmarcases refer is encouraging. to 2015, 2017, and 2018, whileease for or Brunei, starvation,” the data points opined refer so to that 2001, large-scale 2014, 2017. bankrupt- on the exact nature and evo- household requires between Without a doubt, the mer- Singapore’s employment22.4% data start from of 2001. GDP China’s employment in 2019 data refers toto number 26.3%. of employeesWhatever inThis manufacturing said, it isreflects on sector that as percentthe doctor. governmentof total employee. BN = Bruneicies Darussalam; and employment losses lution of the [pandemic’s] $200 and $250 to operate due riment this year will be sub- CLMV = Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam; CN = People’s Republic of China; HK = Hongbasis Kong, China; that theID = Indonesia; government JP = Japan;ADB KH expects = Cambodia; the impact KR = Korea; of LAare = Laominimised. PDR; shock to labour Current supply, ag- toaccount rent, food, school fees, balance and dued but with all things con- reserves to accumulateMM = Myanmar; to MY$18.8 = Malaysia; MX = Mexico;billion PH = the Philippines; in SG =2019, Singapore; TH = Thailand; orpostponed US cover = United the States; declaration VN =for Vietnam. of Covid-19 8.8 on trade and ser- Therefore,Figure fiscal and�.��.� mon- gregate demand or finance,” transport. With that in mind, sidered, the show must go on, plans for significant stimulusan toemergency. offset the vicesshort-term to depress revenue be-impactsetary policies must be recast the World Bank said. what can $70 buy? The Khmer but at what cost? months of imports. Figure 2.6. Selectedof COVID-19 ASEAN+3 Economies: and FDI lost In ows trade preferences.FigureSelected 2.7. SelectedEconomies: Public Economies: Monthly external Monthly Wage Wage Comparison, debtComparison, 2019 2019 (Millions of US dollars) (US dollars) � of GDP Figure �.��.� GDP growth GDP growth in Cambodia relative to GDP is anticipated to(US dollars)hover at about 29% in 2020, 25,000 Malaysia � � Thailand keeping Cambodia at low risk ofCambodia sovereign debt distress. 20,000 � ��year moving average China -� As the economy faces the COVID-19Pakistan threat, the central Economic prospects15,000 Vietnam � bank is taking several measuresLao to PDR increase liquidity in the-� 10,000 Philippines local market and support businessesIndonesia as they struggle under the � Growth is expected to slow dramatically to 2.3% inMyanmar 2020 as 5,000 -�� effects of COVID-19. It is also Bangladeshpromoting local currency use ��year� moving average India a direct result of the COVID-190 outbreak, low growth in the with incentives for riel-denominatedSri Lanka loans. The central bank-��

2008 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 2005 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 2000 2010 2018 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 � PRC and minor contractionKH plans LAin MMmajor to continue VN advanced ID MY to support PH TH economies, the development ofHighest equityLowest and ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� Source: Compiled by Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training using exchange -�� Estimate Forecast Sources: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; and AMRO staff calculations. rateSource: from xe.com Compiled as of January by 1, 2019.Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training using exchange Note: KH = Cambodia; bondFDI = foreign directmarkets, investment; ID = Indonesia;including LA = Lao PDR; a forthcomingNote:rate Vietnam’s from minimum xe.com wage as of is setJanuary initialdifferently 1, by 2019. regions: region public I (USD 190), region II offering(USD 168), region III (USD 148) and region���� IV (USD ���� ���� ���� ���� and reduced access toMM =export Myanmar; MY = Malaysia; markets, PH = the Philippines; TH = Thailand; before and VN = Vietnam. rebounding133).Note: Cambodia’s Vietnam’s minimum minimum wage refers to wage wages inis garment set differently sector. by regions: region I (USD 190), Source: Asian Development Outlook database. region II (USD 168), region III (USD 148) and region IV (USD 133). Cambodia’s minimum wage for one of Cambodia’s largest banks.refers to wages inOver garment sector. time, developing Source: Asian Development Outlook database. to 5.7% in 2021 (Figure 3.23.5).financial COVID-19 markets and will increased hit services use of the local currency will Thailand’s experience illustrates how its manufacturing these two countries have continued to deepen as Japan hard by reducing foreignexports have visitor remainedgive the resilient arrivals central in the face bank of andshifting more is expectedchannelsgrows its high-tech through to industries, which and Japanese to transmit small and comparative advantage, by upgrading and becoming more medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) invest abroad. Japanese affect construction andintegrated manufacturing intomonetary the regional production policy. network through (AMRO, supplyfactories operating chain in Thailand have gradually increased 2019b). Thailand was Thean early current beneciary ofaccount outward FDI deficitby the is share forecast of procurement to equal from local 19.0% rms and ofJapanese GDP Japanese MNCs. The economic and trade linkages between aliates in Thailand. At the same time, Thai companies have disruption and reduced demand.in 2020, The narrowing service to 16.9% sector in 2021. is projectedThe wider current account to contract by 1.7% in 2020 deficitas tourism in 2020 willfalls reflect and slower growth growth in inreal exports and estate slows. Industry growthdisrupted is forecast tourism. toGross slow international to 6.5% reserves in are expected to increase to more than $20.6 billion in 2020, providing cover 2020 with deceleration in garmentfor 9 months production of imports. Reserves for export could comeand under pressure, in construction in line withthough, arrested if the growth COVID-19 in outbreak major causes advanced foreign direct economies and a sharp slowdowninvestment in to the fall PRC,sharply. and in particular Growth prospects are subject to significant downside risks, with the curtailment of Europeanincluding Unionexport demand trade fallingpreferences faster than expected under starting in August 2020. Agriculturecurtailed trade growth preferences, is expected disruption linked to be to COVID-19, low at 0.5% or so in 2020, reflectingand advanced a economiesforecast falling for extended into recession. hot Increased Figure �.��.� Inflation bank lending connected to real estate continues to pose risks � weather this year and the authorities’ instruction to cultivate to financial and macroeconomic stability, particularly under a � Selected��year economic moving average only one rice crop during theslowdown dry season. linked to COVID-19. The outbreak and temporaryTable �.��.� border closures in Southeast Asia could apply additional indicators (�) Inflation is expected to remain low, averaging 2.1% in � pressure on consumer prices. 2020 in line with foreseen decelerating growth and lower ���� ���� ���� ���� international fuel prices. Inflation is projected to remain GDP growth� ��� ��� ��� ��� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� subdued in 2021 as internationalPolicy fuel challenge—developing prices likely stay low a local bondInflation ��� ��� Estimate ��� Forecast ��� Source: Asian Development Outlook database. (Figure 3.23.6). market Current acct� bal� –���� –���� –���� –���� The general governmentCambodia budget hasfor achieved 2020 has high a economic deficit growthequal over the (share of GDP) to 2.8% of GDP. Revenue in past2020 2 decades is budgeted to become at one 23.5% of the of fastest-growing GDP, Sources: National Institute of Statistics; ADB economies in the subregion. The authorities are committedestimates. to up from the 2019 budget targetdeveloping of 20.0% financial of GDP.services However, to support growth the and ensure macroeconomic stability. Local issues of government bonds could help diversify the nonbank financial sector and deepen local capital markets. Government bond issues would help to establish a risk-free benchmark for pricing locally issued corporate bonds. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus food & beverage Ngov Heng Kampot Fish Sauce adds flavour to local economy

he Chan family, the makers of a popular Kampot fish sauce, don’t boast of culinary Tsecrets – because they don’t have any. Fresh sea fish, salt from Kampot province and plenty of hard work are the main ingre- dients in the production of their tasty fish sauce – a product that is much sought after across the Kingdom. The family, which owns the E Che Ngov Heng Food Produc- Ngov Heng Kampot Fish Sauce is aged for up to two years in large wooden barrels. tion facility that makes the fish sauce, started their business the cated at Ta Ang village, in this way we support It also processes 10 tonnes old-fashioned way – using just produces a range of the local community. We of salt a month and up to 20 their bare hands, with wood products – fish, soy and plan to get ISO standard tonnes of pepper a year. and charcoal, to produce 1,000 oyster sauces, as well certification soon,” E “We produce high-quality litres of bottled fish sauce a day, as salt, vinegar, chillis, Che Ngov Heng Food products that can compete in which was then sold around the pickles and pepper – all Production of Kampot both the domestic and interna- neighbourhood. sold under the Ngov general manager Chan tional markets, especially our That was back in 1995. Heng Kampot brand. Silsocheat told The fish and soy sauces, and our Now the industrious family, “We started as a Post. salt and pepper. who have transformed their family business and Located in Kampot “In addition, we promote cottage industry into a bustling expanded gradually province, which is and support Khmer products, SME, employ 50 workers and over the years. When renowned for its help farmers earn a living and produce 10,000 litres of fish we started, the salt fields, pepper create jobs for local people. sauce daily using imported sauce was produced plantations and “Ngov Heng Kampot Fish machinery. manually, but now fishing industry, Sauce is recognised as a condi- It is testament to the we have modern the company ment of high quality that con- homegrown company’s success machines on our is well able to tains proteins. It is an organic story and its contribution to the production line. source fresh, product made from sea fish. We national economy. “We source high-quality focus mostly on quality because Ngov Heng Kampot Fish all raw materi- raw materials. we care about the health of our Sauce actively promotes its als directly from Ngov Heng customers. Khmer identity, generates jobs local fishermen, Kampot Fish E Che Ngov Heng Food Production general manager Chan Silsocheat. “We have foreign experts for local communities and helps and the salt and Sauce is famous who train our staff, and we the rural economy. The firm pepper used is for its taste, preparation, Silsocheat said. flavour to the sauce, he said. have imported packaging, bot- perhaps more importantly as- all from Kampot. with fresh sea The sauce is then fermented At its facility, the company tling and labelling machines sists Kampot farmers by procur- With the raw fish and high- in traditional wooden contain- produces 5,000 litres of soy from Taiwan, Vietnam and ing their produce. materials we use quality Kampot ers for up to two years. sauce and 10,000 litres of fish Thailand to improve efficiency,” The sprawling factory lo- obtained locally, salt used in its The process adds a special sauce per day. Silsocheat said. PHOTOs su pp lied PHOTOs The factory located at Ta Ang Village in Kampot province makes beloved food products for the domestic market. Foreign experts share their skills at the facility. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Privacy versus prevention in a post-coronavirus world THE success behind South of infected people based on card Korea’s fast action toward con- transaction data submitted by 22 taining the spread of Covid-19 credit card operators, a process is in its legal access to private that takes about 10 minutes. information of credit card Despite its effectiveness, the transactions, observers said on state’s intervention in private Wednesday. records is still unthinkable in Despite disputes on infringing other countries, said foreign on individuals’ privacy, the residents in South Korea. method is being touted in and “I was surprised that the gov- out of the country for its effi- ernment collects credit card ciency, as it can take just 10 min- information from residents, utes to track the movement of which is not widely accepted in patients infected with the virus. Tracing credit cards use can help my country, Mexico,” said Hector track virus spread. pUBLIC DOMAIN Since the first case of the nov- Fernando, an international stu- el coronavirus was confirmed 2016, industry data showed. dent living in Seoul.” in the country on January 20, Tracing credit card use to track The use of credit cards and The virus has now killed more than 88,000 people and infected more than 1.5 million, sparing almost no the Korean government has virus spread became legal amid danger of leaking personal country and tipping the world into a devastating economic crisis as global commerce shudders to a halt. AFP traced infected patients’ routes the Middle East respiratory syn- information is likely to become and identified who might have drome outbreak in June 2016. a subject for further debate. come into voluntary or non- The revised law allowed the “The coronavirus outbreak voluntary contact by looking government to access individu- sparked a debate over whether Virus deaths mount, into credit card records. als’ private information, rang- the government can violate Authorities have publicised ing from credit card records to individuals’ privacy in times of some of the records as part of cellphone GPS data, without a national crisis,” said Kang containment efforts. warrant so that authorities Sung-jin, an economics pro- The wide use of credit cards could carry out more accurate fessor at Korea University. dampening optimism in Asia’s fourth-largest economy epidemiological studies for dis- “In the post-coronavirus era, has attributed to the success of ease surveillance. some will use credit cards HE coronavirus pan- towards a final stretch, the the eurozone squabbled about the controversial method. Last month, the Ministry of more with remaining fears of demic notched up light at the end of the tunnel,” pooling debt for “coronabonds” To date, nine out of 10 in Land, Infrastructure and Trans- the epidemic, while others another round of said Trump. to help the worst-affected mem- South Korea have credit cards, port implemented a computer- turn to cash transactions in a record death tolls in bers such as Spain and Italy. and their cashless transaction ised system to trace the spread bid to protect their private life ‘Playing with fire’ theT US and Europe, dousing In Miami, hundreds lined up ratio is higher than any other of the virus whereby ministry from the government.” THE the optimism of US President All around the world, medi- in cars to get unemployment country, at 96.4 per cent as of officials identify the movements KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Donald Trump who insisted cal facilities are at bursting forms after the website crashed there was light at the end of point as they struggle with a due to a surge in demand. the tunnel. relentless procession of criti- Gus Rios, a 67-year-old The virus has now killed cally-ill patients. former factory worker, said: more than 88,000 people and In the badly affected city of “People are looking for help, infected more than 1.5 mil- Guayaquil in Ecuador, sick pa- people [are] crazy right now, lion, according to an AFP tally tients are passing out before almost, to get something be- on Thursday, sparing almost arriving at emergency care cause we don’t know the situa- no country and tipping the and the elderly are slumped tion, how long is going to be.” world into a devastating eco- outside in wheelchairs at Recent US data indicates 10 nomic crisis as global com- overwhelmed hospitals. million people have lost their merce shudders to a halt. “My grandmother died, my jobs in the world’s top econo- For the second straight day, mother has all the symptoms, my that is closed for business. the US grieved nearly 2,000 my 15-year-old sister too and In India, a virus-induced deaths on Wednesday, as flags the government is doing noth- lockdown is hitting the mil- flew at half-mast in hardest- ing, nothing! We need to be al- lions of poor hardest as they hit New York. most dying in order to receive wait for promised government There was also a record death assistance,” said Xiomara Fran- food subsidies that cannot toll of 938 over 24 hours in Brit- co, a relative of a sick patient. come quick enough for moth- ain, where Prime Minister Bo- “There is a lack of oxygen, er-of-three Rajni Devi, 30. ris Johnson spent a third night a lack of medicine, a lack of “Last night we had roti [In- in intensive care, his condition nurses and doctors, a lack dian flatbread] with salt mixed said to be “improving”. of stretchers,” complained in mustard oil,” she said. France saw its total number Henry Figueroa, another an- “It’s better to die than starve of dead climb over 10,000 as gry relative. like this.” the country prepared to ex- World Health Organisation The pandemic has forced tend its strict lockdown mea- chief Tedros Adhanom Ghe- half of humanity inside, an sures. Spain and Italy are still breyesus urged unity at a time unprecedented measure that seeing hundreds of deaths per of global crisis, saying: “If you has allowed wildlife to reclaim day despite tentative signs the don’t want many more body previously choked streets. disease may have peaked. bags, then you refrain from In India, hundreds of mon- And the pandemic is march- politicising it.” keys are running riot in the ing into areas previously only “It’s like playing with fire.” roads around the presidential lightly affected – in Africa, Governments are wrestling palace while peacocks display Ethiopia declared a state of with the problem of when to their spectacular trains on top emergency and Liberia said exit lockdown procedures and of parked cars in Mumbai. it was locking down its capital reboot a global economy that In Vienna, animals are be- Monrovia. is effectively in deep freeze. ing conscripted into the fight Its deadly tentacles also The World Trade Organisa- against the virus, with horse- crept deep into the Amazon tion warned the pandemic drawn carriages converted rainforest, with the first case was likely to spark the deepest from a tourist attraction to a detected among the Yano- recession “of our lifetimes”, food delivery service. mami, an indigenous people with global trade poised to Christian Gerzabek, who isolated from the world un- plummet by one third. drives one of the famous city til the mid-20th century and The Bank of France esti- “Fiaker”, said business had vulnerable to disease. mated the country’s economy crawled to a halt but “the Nevertheless, some glim- shrank around six per cent in horses still have to be moved, mers of hope shone in the the first quarter – the worst they want to get out after the darkness, with New York Gov- performance since the end of winter.” ernor Andrew Cuomo saying World War II. “I thought that we should the epidemic curve seemed Europe powerhouse Ger- combine that . . . with doing to be flattening. many is seen contracting an something good for people “We are hopefully heading eye-watering 10 per cent as who need it,” he told AFP. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN S’pore migrant workers fear as virus hits dorms

IGRANT workers in International’s Singapore researcher Singapore are living in Rachel Chhoa-Howard. fear following a surge of Alex Au, vice-president of migrant coronavirus infections rights group Transient Workers Min their dormitories where they say Count Too, called on the govern- cramped and filthy conditions make ment to temporarily house some social distancing impossible. workers in other locations such as The city-state, which is battling a army barracks. worsening outbreak, this week quar- “We fear that if the density of the antined four large dormitory complex- dorms are not lowered . . . if the men es housing tens of thousands of mostly are not thinned out, infections in South Asian workers, where more than many of the dorms will rise,” he said. 200 cases have so far been detected. Infections have also been record- ‘Wake-up call’ ed in a handful of other facilities. Singapore has reported more One worker from Bangladesh, than 1,600 virus cases including six who lives in a dorm where there are deaths, relatively low by global stan- several known infections but has dards, and has won praise for its not yet been locked down, told AFP handling of the outbreak. social distancing to halt the spread But infections are rising sharply of the virus was not possible. and authorities this week introduced “One small room with 12 people liv- tough new curbs. The health minis- ing together . . . how can we make social try on Wednesday reported 142 new distance?” the labourer said in English, cases – Singapore’s biggest daily in- on the condition of anonymity. crease since the outbreak began. He said hygiene standards were poor The infections at the dorms and and workers were forced to use a com- the poor conditions have sparked munal cooking area and bathroom. soul-searching in Singapore about “We know the virus character, how the treatment of foreign labourers, this is spread – so if this living con- Singapore has quarantined four large dormitory complexes housing tens of thousands of mostly South Asian workers, where more who have played a key role in the than 200 cases have so far been detected. AFP dition continue I am very worried,” city-state’s dramatic transformation he added. quarantined dormitories said work- dorms, with shops and other facilities port to foreign workers and dormi- from a gritty port into an ultra-mod- At least one dorm had overflow- ers were increasingly concerned on-site. They are often located in less tory operators. ern financial hub. ing toilets and rooms infested with about the growing number of as- desirable parts of the city, meaning The manpower ministry said it will Writing on Facebook, veteran Sin- cockroaches, the Straits Times ymptomatic cases. they mix little with Singaporeans. “continue to keep a close eye on the gapore diplomat Tommy Koh said newspaper reported, casting a harsh “Definitely we all are worried,” he After reports emerged of unsanitary dormitory conditions and will inter- it should be a “wake-up call to treat spotlight on what critics claim is the told AFP, also speaking anonymously. conditions at one of the quarantined vene proactively to ensure standards”. our indispensable foreign workers disgraceful treatment of foreign la- “Since last few days, we already got dorms, the manpower ministry said it But Amnesty International warned like a first world country should, bourers in wealthy Singapore. news that there are so many people was working to improve the situation. quarantining workers in close prox- and not in the disgraceful way in The huge dormitories mostly house affected without any symptoms.” Caterers are providing meals to imity could be a “recipe for disaster”. which they are treated now”. construction workers who typically workers in lockdown and cleaning “Migrant workers living in crowd- The post was flooded with sup- earn about $400 to $500 per month ‘Recipe for disaster’ services have been increased. ed quarters, without opportunities portive comments, including one building the city-state’s glittering There are about 280,000 migrant A task force involving government to self-isolate and protect them- that asked: “Is this how we treat the skyscrapers and shopping malls. construction workers in Singapore officials, police and the armed forces selves, are at particular risk of ex- very people who have built our city, A Bangladeshi man in one of the who mostly live in self-contained has also been set up to provide sup- posure to the virus,” said Amnesty our home?” AFP Myanmar frees Rohingya as fears of outbreak on the rise

CASES against scores of Rohingya Muslims detained after fleeing Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state have been dropped, as fears grow of a potential coronavirus out- break in the country’s over- crowded prisons. A military crackdown in 2017 forced some 750,000 Rohingya to escape to Bangladesh, where they languish in sprawl- ing refugee cities. Those who remain in Rakhine live under tight restrictions with little access to healthcare and education, unable to move freely in con- ditions Amnesty International has branded “apartheid”. For years many have taken to boats and buses to escape. A court in Myanmar has suddenly dropped cases against two of the But in recent months hun- largest groups of arrested Rohingya, totalling 128 people. AFP dreds have been caught and detained in prisons – charged on Thursday morning. With coronavirus fears with breaching immigration Scores more are set to be gripping the country, calls laws, offences which carry up released by other courts and have amplified for low-risk to two years in jail. sent back to Rakhine, a inmates to be released from On Wednesday, a court sud- Rohingya activist told AFP. what Human Rights Watch denly dropped cases against “In total about 250 Rohingya describes as Myanmar’s “hor- two of the largest groups of are likely to be sent back on ribly overcrowded and arrested Rohingya, totalling Saturday,” he said, asking not unsanitary” jails. 128 people. to be named for security rea- The World Health Organisa- “Charges against both adults sons. tion has warned prison popu- and children are withdrawn It is unclear where the lations are particularly vulner- and they are to be released,” Rohingya will be taken in able to the pandemic. judge Khin Myat Myat Htun Rakhine and authorities have The Rohingya garner little told Pathein court in Ayeyar- not yet given the reason for sympathy within Myanmar, wady Region. their sudden liberation. where many people buy the An AFP reporter confirmed However, next week is Myan- official line that they are illegal four buses carrying the mar’s New Year, when the immigrants, even though many Rohingya and bound for Yan- president often grants amnes- trace their roots in the country gon left Pathein prison early ties to prisoners. back generations. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Preventing global foodwww.phnompenhpost.com crisis www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng caused by Covid-19Ly Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief joshua purushotman Opinion joshua purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer Felippa Ann Amanta Managing Editor Post Khmer sam rith sam rith Deputy Chief of Staff Deputy Chief of Staff phak seangly N TIMES of a pandemic and the Business Editor phak seangly accompanying economic crisis, May kunmakara Business Editor food security is a key concern for Deputy Business Editor May kunmakara governments throughout the sangeetha amarthalingam Iworld, including Indonesia. As the Deputy Business Editor Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk sorn sarath first level of Maslow’s hierarchy of pan simala needs, the availability as well as both Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Senior Reporters physical and economic access to pan simala Meas sokchea, niem Chheng food must be guaranteed. Senior Reporters Reporters The increase in agricultural trade has Meas sokchea, niem Chheng khouth sophak Chakrya, kim sarom, Long helped countries fulfill their popula- Reporters kimmarita, khorn savi, hin pisei, soth tion’s diverse dietary demands more khouth sophak Chakrya, kim sarom, Long koemsoeun, Voun Dara, sous Yamy,soung efficiently. The UN Food and Agricul- kimmarita, khorn savi, hin pisei, soth sovanny, thou Vireak, ry sochan ture Organisation (FAO) estimated that koemsoeun, Voun Dara, sous Yamy,soung Photographers global agricultural trade more than tri- sovanny, heng Chivoan, hong Menea pled in value to around $1.6 trillion Web Editor ry sochan from 2000 to 2016. For Indonesians, Leang phannara Photographers that means we get to enjoy garlic from Webmasters China, beef from Australia and our heng Chivoan, hong Menea sous Chanthy, pang Vichea beloved tempeh made of soybeans Web Editor SIEM REAP BUREAU from the US, while the rest of the world Leang phannara Offi ce Manager gets to enjoy Indonesian coffee, choco- Webmasters sophearith Blondeel late and palm oil. sous Chanthy, pang Vichea PRODUCTION & PRINTING The Covid-19 pandemic has caused SIEM REAP BUREAU Head of Desktop Publishing major disruption to world trade, Offi ce Manager nhim sokphyrak including in food and agricultural sophearith Blondeel Desktop Publishing products. Production has slowed Rice farmers in Indonesia’s Aceh province. For the interest of rice-eating countries, there is a surplus in world rice stocks. However, the suon savatdy, Chum sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTING down, transportation and logistics Covid-19 crisis undoubtedly brings other complex issues to food security, namely with regard to global coordination and trade. afp tep thoeun thyda, tim Borith, than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing have become a challenge, distribution nhim sokphyrak channels are obstructed as borders nario by Harrison and Rutstrom tics Indonesia data show Indonesia Ministry, has temporarily relaxed HEAD OFFICE have been shut. Now countries have to (1991), in which countries can either imported 767,180 tonnes of riceDesktop from Publishingimport licensing requirements for carefully strategise how to ensure their lower or keep/increase their trade Vietnam, or 34 per cent of total suonrice savatdy, elevenChum sokunthy, strategic Danh Borath food commodities, own food supply, not only to get barriers. This hypothetical situation imports. India’s government hastep per- thoeun thyda,including tim Borith, than garlic Veasna and onion. through the pandemic but also to con- is transpiring in real life as each mitted its major ports to halt some The current situation is almost remi- Post Media Co, Ltd. trol inflation. This is certainly true for country assesses its own food stocks. operations due to the coronavirus. HEAD OFFICEniscent of the global food crisis of 2007- The Elements Condominium Level 7, Indonesia, which still struggles with In the game theory example, both Indonesia imports onion and bovine 2008 after India and Vietnam banned Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, hunger at a “serious” level, according players (countries) are better off if meat from India and has made deals their rice exports, which led to panic- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom to the Global Hunger Index 2019 they all lower their trade barriers. to import 130,000 tonnes of sugar in buying in the Philippines, despite the Penh, Cambodia report. Food shortages or food infla- early 2020 to fulfill demand. ClosingPost Media Co,positive Ltd. rice production and stock Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Lowering trade barriers Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 tion will harm the population, espe- of exports can potentially causeThe a Elementsnumbers. Condominium A sLevel a result, 7, the rice price Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 cially the vulnerable poor, who even This is also true in real-world situa- global food crisis because of theHun arbi- Sen Boulevardnearly, Phum tripled Prek between Talong, October 2007 SIEM REAP on normal days can spend up to 60 per tions. Exporting countries should trary supply shortage and an imme-Sangkat Chakand Angre A prilKrom, 2008. Phnom The Penh, World Bank esti- No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune cent of their income on food. On top continue to export their commodities, diate increase in global food prices.Cambodia mates that the crisis drove over 130 mil- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 of everyone’s mind is the question, do and importing countries can also help Meanwhile, Indonesia wants and SIEM REAP lion people into poverty and left anoth- we have enough food for everyone to facilitate that by lowering trade barri- needs to import other food commodi- er 75 million people malnourished. COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune last us through the pandemic? The ers. This will encourage global food ties, but is still struggling to import Now, in the midst of the Covid-19 Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 answer is yes, if we work together. and agriculture trade to continue, because of our self-imposed protec- crisis, we cannot afford another food james ong soon teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT The latest FAO inventory on cereal even with logistical challenges. Extra tionist policies that cause costly delays. crisis. Countries must work together Advertising Department supply and demand released in March precautionary health measures will be As a case in point, Indonesia’s sugar,Chief Operating to Offiensure cer stable food supply for eve- Chap narith, 017 996 241 hun Channet, 017 578 768 2020 assured us that the global cereal necessary to ensure workers through- garlic and onion imports have beenjames ong soonryone teck as we face the pandemic. For prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 market in 2019/2020 was expected to out the value chain stay healthy, but it delayed by import restrictions, causAdvertising- DepartmentIndonesia, that means lowering our keo puthy, 012 966 605 remain well supplied. For the interest should not put a halt to the trading ing prices to skyrocket. With the Chapvola narith,- trade017 996 241barriers for imports. Even in the phon sok Chea, 012 717 404 of Indonesians and other rice-eating activities. FAO chief economist Maxi- tility of the global food market andhun Channet,worst-case 017 578 768 scenario, namely that jessa piastro, 092 445 983 countries, there is a surplus in world mo Torero has warned that “the worst with the rupiah exchange rate weakprach- Monnyreak,other 012 countries 123 7777 do not cooperate in CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION rice stocks. The FAO also stated that that can happen is that governments ening to over Rp 16,000 per US dollar, CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION global trade, Indonesia can still bene- Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager the outlook for other major staple restrict the flow of food . . . Now is the the delay in processing imports this fit from faster imports that allow us thenh rithy, 087 888 854 thenh rithy crops in 2020 was positive. At face val- time to protect the flow of food time can cause significant costs for to buy when prices are still low. Circulation Supervisor ue, food security will not be an issue around the world.” the government, thus depriving itADMINISTRATION of Lowering trade barriers can also nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 for all of us throughout this year. The global cooperation we need is funds that would be better used Adminfor & HR Managerhelp Indonesia diversify import sourc- Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 However, the Covid-19 crisis potentially at risk now with countries medical supplies and testing kits.pich socheates to hedge the trade risks if other ADMINISTRATION undoubtedly brings other complex scrambling to mitigate the pandemic The government has recognisedAssistants tocountries Admin & HR Manager decide to stop exports. the Admin & HR Manager jakarta post/asia news network issues to food security, namely with in their own countries. Vietnam has this handicap, which is why thenhel soaphea pich socheat regard to global coordination and ordered a temporary suspension of Office of the Coordinating Economic Financial Director Assistants to Admin & HR Manager trade. We are facing a situation not new rice export contracts due to fear Minister, in cooperation with the heang tangmengThe author is a researcher at the Center for nhel soaphea unlike the classic game theory sce- over domestic supply. In 2018, Statis- Trade Ministry and the Agriculture Indonesian Policy Studies. Financial Director Chief Accountant heang tangmeng sren Vicheka Chief Accountant Treasurers sren Vicheka sok sophorn, Yon sovannara, Treasurers Cheam sopheak sok sophorn, Yon sovannara, IT Manager Cheam sopheak seng nak, Vong oun IT Manager seng nak, Vong oun TO CONTACT US [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Food & Drink

The restaurant has developed new dishes for home delivery. supplied

A cook prepares a healthy and delicious take-out order. Supplied More customers are preferring to eat the signature dishes at home. supplied Bayon casting wider net with food delivery

Kheng Sokkunthea essary travel. To meet these Prices range from $8.75 to challenges, her restaurant $30 per kg, with free delivery. AMOUS for being a has created new dishes which But the highest price is bone- popular stopover for her customers can order for less dried fish costing $45 a kg. delicious meals and home deliveries. The dried food process is snacks for people who From 6:00am to 4:00pm, safe as it is simple. The food travelF along National Road 1, Monday to Sunday, Bayon is preserved by removing wa- Bayon Restaurant has joined serves an array of local food and ter from it, thus inhibiting the the latest trend by home de- Chinese dishes in its menu. growth of microorganisms. livering its cuisine to reach a Its signature dishes for Open-air drying using the wider set of patrons. breakfast are Kuy Teay Sach sun and the wind has been For those who prefer to stay Choenhchram Pises (special practised since ancient times home and avoid unnecessary noodle soup mixed with diced to preserve food. This meth- travelling, the restaurant also pork), Mi Keav Pises (spe- od will save fish for later con- offers its popular dried food cial dumpling noodle soup), sumption without it spoiling. options. Nom Banhchok Kary (Khmer Besides selling food, Bay- Located some 2km from noodles with chicken curry), on has entered into joint- Monivong Bridge, Bayon has and Bay Sach Moan Hainam ventures too. With the rising become a household name (Hainanese chicken rice). cost of living, Bayon has wel- for local people searching for During lunchtime, the comed partners among those great tasting Khmer food with popular foods are Moan Dot seeking new opportunities to healthy options. Sieng (Chicken grilled with earn money from home. The restaurant owner, Thae fermented beans), Khor Mam Online sellers can sell its Dalen, established her res- Puos Tan (fermented pork in- dried food products without taurant in 2010. With 10 years nards), Kapi Buk Pises (special any initial investment. They of experience in the industry, fermented fish with fresh veg- just need to post the products she said what makes her es- etables), Kapi Phav (shrimp online and earn a 10 per cent tablishment unique are the paste with pork and coconut commission from each order. dishes, service, healthy choic- milk), Prahok Ktis (steamed “To grow our base of loyal es and affordable prices. fermented fish paste with customers, we will continue “One of the values here is pork) and Fish Amok (a type of Delivery staff is taught to maintain good personal hygiene and always carry hand sanitisers and gloves. supplied improving our food quality thinking about our clients’ curried fish with coconut milk and service, apart from devel- health. Our food is all about steamed in banana leaves). cals and expatriates daily. It has type of food can be stored for a make life easier. oping a wider range of dishes. quality and taste. I think about The business of delivering grown its business, thanks to long time and is easy to cook as “Our restaurant stresses on We also plan to open a new their health. I believe that if I restaurant meals and drinks to the need for social distancing well. Besides, it enhances food food safety. All our chefs and branch in a different location take care of what they eat, they homes is moving rapidly as the and avoiding public places. security,” Dalen says. cooks are trained well at cu- each year,” says Dalen. will live longer as my loyal cus- use of online platforms cast the Delivery staff is also taught Giving customers many linary institutes. The restau- Bayon Restaurant is located tomers,” Dalen says, adding net wider for restaurants. to maintain good personal food options is a goal dur- rant has free food-delivery at #84, National Highway 1, that the restaurant has its own Customers have also found hygiene and always carry ing these trying times, with services for all online orders. Niroth commune, Chbar Am- farm to supply the kitchen. it more convenient to shop hand sanitisers and alcohol the pandemic causing havoc “Dried food can be easily pov district, Phnom Phen. For To satisfy her loyal custom- online than from brick and solution for their safety and around the world. Most im- delivered to homes especially more information, visit Fa- ers’ needs, the restaurant has mortar shops due to limited that of their customers. portantly, her new offerings since dining in is no longer cebook page @BayonRestau- created a clean dine-in atmo- time. This has continued “Our chefs created new dishes are also produced with qual- recommended. These dried rant or call 017 979 767 and sphere to welcome them. through to ordering food to delight customers who can- ity and hygiene in mind. foods include pork sausages, 060 979 767. However, Covid-19 has from different restaurants not dine-in, which is why they Such dried foods that come beef sausages, dried fish, Its other branch on Street forced people to stop non- using online apps. came up with the dried food with new ingredients and dried pork, and dried beef,” 598 can be reached by 076 essential contact and unnec- Bayon serves hundreds of lo- products to begin with. This free delivery service is a set to the entrepreneur says. 7979 767 and 096 7979 767. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle

Mizuho Iwai (right) is a trainee at the upscale Onodera restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza district, a ritzy Yuki Noguchi, a 32-year-old former primary school teacher, finished her eight-month sushi chef training at neighbourhood home to some of the world’s top-ranked sushi restaurants. AFP Tokyo Sushi Academy in December. AFP Women’s uphill roll into Japan’s sushi scene

omen have The work can be gruelling former primary school teacher and says being a chef depends warm hands, and requires years to master. who finished her eight-month not on gender but “compe- their periods al- Apprentices must learn every- sushi chef training at the acad- tence, talent and how much ter their sense of thing from the names of differ- emy in December. effort people put in”. Wtaste and they can’t work long ent types of fish to removing “That’s why I think the num- Fuka Sano, the other female hours – just some of the claims scales and slicing properly. ber of women who want to be- apprentice at Onodera, said from those in Japan who believe They are even instructed on come a sushi chef is small in she didn’t think too much women can’t be sushi chefs. how to correctly enter through the first place,” she said. about the lack of women in But a growing number of the traditional drapes inside the field when she decided to women in the country deter- Onodera, by lifting and part- ‘Physically tough’ become a sushi chef. mined to shatter those myths ing them with an elbow. Onodera’s head chef Akifumi “I guess women think a su- are training and working as “My colleagues have accept- Sakagami said the sushi world’s shi chef is a man’s job because sushi chefs in some of Japan’s ed me,” said Iwai, who decid- reputation for punishing train- there are so few of them,” the most revered restaurants and ed to become a sushi chef af- ing drove away women but also 18-year-old said. institutions. ter cooking in small Japanese young people of both genders. But she was determined to Mizuho Iwai is a trainee at restaurants. “I think women need a lot of enter the profession, after a the upscale Onodera restau- “They don’t treat me special courage to jump in,” the 46- formative trip to London. rant in Tokyo’s Ginza district, just because I’m a woman,” she year-old said. “I’m sorry to say this but a ritzy neighbourhood home added, after learning how to Sakagami started as an ap- sushi at chain restaurants in to some of the world’s top- slice Japanese horse mackerel. prentice more than 30 years ago Britain didn’t seem appeal- ranked sushi restaurants. “They treat me as a person.” in the northern city of Sapporo, ing!” she laughed. She hopes In an industry where women when female chefs and trainees to improve the standards of are still rarely seen, she knew ‘Strong resistance’ to women were essentially nonexistent. Japanese food overseas. she would be an anomaly. The world of washoku, or “When I joined the industry, And Sano wants her food to “I think there are a few [fe- Japanese cuisine, has long been the working conditions in the be judged on its own merits, male] chefs but it’s rare. But dominated by men, more so Fuka Sano, a female apprentice at Onodera, said she didn’t think too washoku world were tough,” without regard for her gender. I wanted to challenge things than Italian or French cuisine, much about the lack of women in the field when she decided to become he said, as he showed Iwai “I want them to come [to the a sushi chef. AFP because of that,” the 33-year- said Fumimasa Murakami, a how to thinly slice tuna and restaurant] for food,” she said, old apprentice told AFP. 54-year-old teacher at Tokyo nese cuisine, including sushi,” or that their periods alter their taught her how to properly not “because I’m a woman”. “I thought – this is my mis- Sushi Academy, which was still he said. sense of taste. peel freshly steamed shrimp. Her fellow apprentice Iwai sion.” running a scaled back schedule “Customers who don’t want Others say the job is unsuit- “It was long working hours hopes women like her are And at Onodera, she’s not to- of classes earlier this month. a female chef at the counter able for women because of the with low pay. It was physically helping change the industry. tally alone, there was one other There is no official data on do exist,” he added. long and late hours. tough.” “It doesn’t matter whether woman among the 10 appren- the gender breakdown of sushi “Older customers in particu- “In Japan, it is still strongly “But the work environment the chef is a man or woman,” tices training at the restaurant chefs in Japan, but Murakami lar have difficulty accepting it.” believed that it is women who is changing along with other she said. before it closed temporarily estimates women make up But even sushi chefs have take care of family. But sushi changes in society. I think it’s “I hope the fixed image will earlier this month over the cor- “less than 10 per cent”. been known to repeat claims chefs work in the evening so getting better for both men disappear and there will be onavirus outbreak. All 10 of the “[Resistance] against female that women’s hands are too it’s difficult for women,” said and women,” he said. more options for women.” restaurant’s chefs are men. chefs remains strong in Japa- warm to keep raw fish fresh, Yuki Noguchi, a 32-year-old He welcomes those changes “It’s really a fun job.” AFP Corona car revs up to drive home lockdown message

A giant coronavirus is stalking the streets of In the tech-hub of Bangalore, officers wearing southern India – propelled by a 100cc engine red and green coronavirus helmets danced and an inventor trying to drive home the mes- around drivers ignoring quarantine, while their sage that Indians should stay indoors as the colleagues blew horns and banged gongs to pandemic sweeps across the world. simulate a virus attack. Sudhakar Yadav’s wacky small single-seater In the southern city of Chennai, police inspec- car – made of fluorescent-green fibre and com- tor Rajesh Babu joined with a local artist to plete with the red crown-like spikes of the virus design a helmet with red spikes and bulbs to – has been racking up the miles in the tech hub shock drivers there. of Hyderabad to remind fellow citizens of the Yadav the inventor – who holds a Guinness dangers of Covid-19. World Record for designing the world’s largest “People are not scared and are still . . . on the tricycle – said the Hyderabad police had been streets despite the clear danger,” the 67-year- “supportive” of his journey. old Yadav, who runs a printing business, told “They want the car to be showcased to create AFP. awareness,” he told AFP, adding he planned to “My message through the car art is to make donate the vehicle to local authorities to max- them understand that it is dangerous to be out imise its use during the lockdown. on the streets and the safest place right now is Yadav has been designing quirky art pieces the home.” for almost five decades, including cars shaped Yadav says he was inspired by virus-shaped as a burger, cricket ball and a computer. helmets worn by police elsewhere in India as He also took motorbike engines, encased them they try to inject some light-heartedness into in cigarette and condom-shaped fibre frames A giant coronavirus is stalking the streets of Hyderabad, India – propelled by a 100cc engine and an inventor their enforcement of a crippling 21-day nation- and drove them around Hyderabad to raise trying to drive home the message that Indians should stay indoors as the pandemic sweeps across the world. AFP al lockdown. awareness about cancer and safe sex. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

Thinking caps

“FIT TO BE SOLVED”

ACROSS 44 Seeks water, in a way 21 Suffix with “press” 1 Tricky past participle 46 Traffic tie-up 22 “___ die for!” 25 Omar of “House” 5 Edward’s love in “Twilight” 49 100 equal a dinar 26 Zhivago’s lady 10 Surveyor’s map 51 It’s good for the heart 27 Did an imitation of 57 Prepare, as tea 14 Leo’s Karenina 28 Faces a pitcher 15 Israel’s Sharon 58 Rhea’s “Cheers” role 29 Jackie’s second husband 16 Author of “Les Miserables” 59 Covered with cinders 31 “Forever and ___” 17 “Ripley’s Believe ___ Not!” 60 Model train layout, often 32 Access code, for short 18 Prepared cotton for shipment 61 Patch or pipe material 33 Gains a lap 34 “The Raven” opening 19 Not buttoned, as a shirt 62 Fizz flavoring 35 Disgusted chorus 20 Exercise regimen option 63 Hardy heroine 37 Big name in toothbrushes 64 Rancorous, as a divorce 23 Nabisco goodies 38 ___ de plume 24 Camp shelters 65 Ball bearers 39 Anchor’s program 25 Makes jubilant DOWN 43 Kennel warnings 28 Woofer output 1 Not of the clergy 44 Bleak 2 Planning to vote no 30 Daddy, in Mexico 45 Rowing device 3 “Are you ___ out?” 31 In pieces 46 Footwear that’s hard to run in 4 Soporific drug 47 Chutzpah 33 Former low-value coin 5 Bundles of joy 48 Carpet calculations 36 Put into the required shape 6 Clio and Urania’s sister 49 Beautiful fairies of Persian myth beforehand 7 Lively tunes 50 Assembly line supply 40 Inferior, as excuses go 8 Offensive facial expression 52 Certain silo’s contents 41 Bay horses 9 “M*A*S*H” star Alan 53 Attention to detail 10 Conversation pieces 42 Permanently put, as in one’s 54 ___ of Capri 11 Fictional burglar Arsene memory 55 46-Down, for one 12 Entertainer’s advocate 56 Needle apertures 43 Like venison’s flavor 13 Griller’s grabbers Thursday’s solution

Thursday’s solution THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Brady admits to past concussions, vows not to be forced from NFL OM Brady admitted on “there are no records that indicate that Wednesday he has suf- Mr Brady suffered a head injury or con- fered concussions during cussion, or exhibited or complained of 20 NFL seasons with the concussion symptoms.” NewT England Patriots but says that Brady told Stern that while he won’t stop him from chasing a sev- didn’t make a “final, final decision” enth Super Bowl crown. until March 16, he was fairly certain The 42-year-old quarterback, the 2019 season would be his last who signed a two-year contract last with the Patriots even though he month with the Tampa Bay Buc- wanted to continue his career. caneers, said on The Howard Stern “I would say I probably knew be- Show on Sirius XM radio he has fore the start of last season that it was sustained major head injuries but my last year,” Brady said. “I knew that rejected the notion he needs to quit our time was coming to an end.” playing because of it. Brady said he realised “it was just “I’ve definitely had concussions, time” to find another club. yeah,” Brady admitted. “I don’t know what to say other Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said prior concussions don’t dissuade him from continuing his storied NFL career. getty images/afp “I could sit here and stop play- than that,” Brady said. “I accom- ing football so I could worry about plished everything I could in two what’s going to happen or worry decades with an incredible organi- about this or that instead of saying, sation . . . no one can ever take those ‘Why don’t I live my life the way that experiences or Super Bowl champi- I want to and enjoy it?’ onships away from us.” “For me, it’s doing what I love to do. You don’t tell a musician to stop No Belichick resentment singing at age 42. You don’t tell a Brady said he had no resentment great painter to stop painting at 42.” toward Patriots coach Bill Belichick But those artists generally don’t at not keeping him after winning suffer severe head injuries in their an NFL record six titles under his creative outlets. guidance. “If you want to stop, stop, go ahead,” “I think he has a lot of loyalty,” Brady Brady said. “But for me, because I said. “So many wrong assumptions feel like I can still play, doesn’t mean I were made about our relationship or should just stop playing because that’s about how he felt about me. I know what everyone tells me I should do.” genuinely how he feels about me. The NFL has tightened rules to “What his responsibility as coach protect players who might have head is to get the best player for the team, injuries, but Brady has notably not not only in the short term but in the been diagnosed with concussions, long term as well. So what I could although his wife – supermodel control is trying to be the best I Gisele Bundchen – said in May 2017 could be in both of those situations. he had suffered concussions. “I got into uncharted territory “He has concussions pretty much as an athlete because I started to every, I mean, we don’t talk about, break the mould of what so many but he does have concussions,” she other athletes had experienced, so said. “I don’t really think it’s a healthy I got to the point where I was an thing for anybody to go through.” older athlete and he’s starting to An NFL statement said all reports plan for the future, which is what from unaffiliated neurotrauma con- his responsibility is. sultants and certified athletic trainer “I don’t fault him for that. That’s spotters at 2016 Patriots games showed what he should be doing.” AFP Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s relationship with Brady has been scrutinised, but Brady says there’s no bad blood. getty images/afp NBA legend Jordan wins long-time China trademark row

CHINA’S Supreme Court has overturns two previous verdicts It has also applied for nearly ruled in favour of basketball in favour of the Chinese firm. 200 similarly named trade- legend Michael Jordan in a However, it still allows the marks including different Chi- long-running trademark dis- firm to continue using its logo nese spellings of “Qiaodan”, pute, ending an eight-year of a silhouetted basketball “Flying Power” and “Qiaodan legal battle with a Chinese player – which has similarities King”, according to the verdict. sportswear firm that illegally with the “Jumpman” logo used In 2017, the sportswear used his name. by Nike Inc to promote its “Air brand New Balance was Upholding intellectual prop- Jordan” line of sports shoes. awarded $1.5 million in copy- erty rights is one of the core However the Supreme Court right damages by a Chinese disputes of the Sino-US trade referred the case over the use of court over its famous “N” logo, war, and a phase one deal the logo for retrial by the State which was illegally copied by signed in January saw Beijing Intellectual Property Office. a local sports shoe firm. pledge to improve protections In 2016, Jordan won the right The verdict – a rare victory for of intellectual property. to his name in Chinese char- a Western brand in a Chinese The landmark ruling, made acters, but the Supreme Court intellectual property infringe- late last month, prohibits the upheld the firm’s right to use ment case – was announced Fujian-based Qiaodan Sports its trademark “Qiaodan” in shortly after US President Don- Co Ltd from using the Chinese Romanised English. ald Trump launched a sweeping translation of Jordan’s name, Qiaodan Sports said in a investigation into China’s record Qiao Dan. Weibo statement Tuesday that on intellectual property. The retired Chicago Bulls the ruling “would not impact The UN said this week that player and six-time NBA the normal use of [its] existing China became the world lead- championship winner has a trademarks, nor would it affect er in international patent fil- huge following in China, a normal business operations.” ings last year, unseating the US country that has legions of Founded in 2000, the sports- which had held the top spot avid basketball fans. wear franchise operates more for more than four decades. Chinese sportswear firm Qiaodan Sports uses a logo similar to Nike’s ‘Jumpman’ logo (above) on its products. afp The Supreme Court decision than 5,700 stores nationwide. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 10, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport S Sudan athletes’ Olympic dreams still alive in Japan he postponement of the The athletes have visited local Tokyo 2020 Olympics was schools and community events to talk a heavy blow for many ath- about their homeland, which won letes, but a team of South independence in 2011 and has been SudaneseT sprinters training in a battling to recover from a civil war. Japanese town are hoping to turn the They regularly practise with local delay to their advantage. children and have learned to speak The four athletes and a coach have simple Japanese. been in the city of Maebashi, north The athletes say they have come of Tokyo, since November, taking to enjoy life in the city, abloom with advantage of training facilities that cherry blossoms after a bitter winter, aren’t available in their young but despite being more than 10,000km poor home country. from home, where they had to practise And with news of the historic post- on simple empty fields, not a track. ponement of the Games over the “Before I reached Japan, I didn’t coronavirus, they’ve decided to stay know what kind of people the Japa- on until at least July, hoping to beef nese are,” said Abraham Majok Ma- up their skills. tet Guem, 20, who runs the 1,500m. “The Tokyo Olympics [have been] “The love I got here . . . is more than postponed. It’s not a problem,” team even what I expected. So I have not The four athletes and a coach have been in the city of Maebashi, north of Tokyo, Japan since November, taking advantage of training facilities that aren’t available in their young but poor home country. afp coach Joseph Rensio Tobia Omirok, missed home so much because I am 59, told AFP. staying in a very peaceful environ- until at least July, after the Olympic The athletes said their warm recep- Guem left his mother and seven “I’m happy because I’m still train- ment with very loving people. So I delay was announced. tion left them hoping they might one siblings at home to train in the city ing, and in other countries they have was very surprised at that.” “We are eager to give them our day be able to welcome their hosts to for the Games and said the delay was no training. They’re sitting in their The city has raised more than 14 mil- continued support,” said Shinichi their home country. no more than a minor bump in his house but here we are okay . . . Train- lion yen ($130,000) from across Japan Hagiwara, a sports official at the “Right now, people are scared to go Olympic journey. ing now is going okay.” through a special taxation scheme Maebashi city government. to South Sudan. But we believe in the “My dream is always, before I retire and is continuing to raise funds to se- The athletes’ fate after that will be near future, it will be a very peaceful from athletics, I should become an ‘Very loving people’ cure the total 20 million yen needed decided after the city consults with country and everyone will be free to Olympic medallist,” he said. The decision to postpone the to keep the team on through July. South Sudan’s Olympic authority, the travel there,” said Guem. “I will continue training and it is Games for a year until July 2021 Officials were quick to reassure the Japanese government, the track team “And we shall be happy to see peo- my hope to one day be a champion. I came after athletes and sports asso- team they would be welcome to stay and others, Hagiwara said. ple from Maebashi there also.” still have time.” AFP ciations heaped pressure on organis- ers and Olympic officials, pointing to scrapped qualifying events and restrictions on training. Japan has so far avoided the sort of major outbreak seen in Europe and the US and even a state of emergen- cy declared on Tuesday only applies to some parts of the country, not including Gunma prefecture, where Maebashi is located. The city of 340,000 has pledged to continue helping the young athletes by providing them with accommo- dation, meals and the use of a local public track, along with an army of volunteer coaches and translators. Maebashi decided to host the team – the coach, one female and two male Olympic sprinters and one male Para- lympic sprinter – as part of its efforts Maebashi decided to host the team as part of its efforts to promote peace through The team’s coach Joseph Rensio Tobia Omirok has taken the opportunity to beef up to promote peace through sports. sports. AFP their skills while athletes in other countries are ‘sitting in their house’. AFP UFC plans to hold event on tribal land to skirt epidemic restrictions The Ultimate Fighting Champion- Native American reservations typi- where. White also said he had secured ship (UFC) is aiming to circumvent cally operate independently of the the use of an “island” to stage fights. coronavirus lockdown restrictions by states in which they are located, out- “This place where this fight is going staging an event on a Native Ameri- side of local government or US fed- to be on April 18, I have locked up for can reservation in California later this eral government control. two months, so I’m going to continue month, US media reported on By staging the event on tribal to pump fights out,” White said. Wednesday. land, organisers also evade the “I’ve got an island. The infrastruc- The New York Times reported that requirement to obtain sanctioning ture is being built right now. We’re UFC chief Dana White planned to from the California State Athletic going to do all of our international hold UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Commission. fights on this island. We’re going to Resort Casino in central California on White has repeatedly voiced deter- start cranking. The UFC will be back April 18, sidestepping state guide- mination to continue holding UFC up and running, internationally and lines that have brought sports to a cards, insisting that the circuit can here in the states.” standstill. continue safely with events held The UFC has already postponed The casino – which has been closed without spectators. three events after officials were una- since March 20 because of the Covid- On Monday, White told ESPN that ble to find venues to stage fights amid UFC chief Dana White plans to hold UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Resort Casino in 19 pandemic – is on land belonging he had secured a venue for UFC 249 restrictions put in place to combat central California on April 18. GETTY IMAGES/AFP to the Tachi-Yokut tribe. and further events but did not state the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP