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Friday, june 5, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

Gov’t refutes China may allow new charges in rights repression more imports of Floyd killing as claim amid covid kingdom’s mangoes protests rage on national – page 5 business – page 6 world – page 11 US trade Nat’l Assembly passes sanctions on HK ‘defy’ money laundering law WTO rules

Niem Chheng dering and financing terrorism. the law on anti-money laundering lematic, but it is problematic with WASHINGTON’S decision to strip In a press release, the NA said the and terrorism financing before Sep- foreigners and makes it impossible Hong Kong of its special trading sta- HE National Assembly (NA) on draft law consists of nine chapters tember, while the law on combating to move forward,” he said. tus violates World Trade Organisa- Thursday approved the draft and 47 articles. Another bill on com- proliferation financing should have He said last year, the police launched tion rules, China said on Thursday. law on anti-money laundering bating proliferation financing had been passed last month. investigations into 71 cases of money US President Donald Trump and terrorism financing. eight chapters and 24 articles. They Deputy National Police chief and laundering involving drugs, econom- announced last Friday that the US TThe move comes a year after Cambo- were approved by the Council of the Ministry of Interior’s central ic fraud offences and others. will revoke special trading privileges dia was placed on the Financial Action Ministers last month. security department director Dy Vi- Thirteen of the 71 cases were granted to Hong Kong after Beijing Task Force (FATF) “grey list” and nearly Government spokesperson Phay chea told The Post on Thursday this sent to court and six people were moved to tighten its grip on the a month after the EU requested its par- Siphan said last month that the FATF will help fix loopholes in Cambodia’s charged. The police are continuing semi-autonomous city with plans liament to add Cambodia and 11 other decision required Cambodia to im- money-laundering laws. to investigate the remaining cases. to impose a national security law. countries into a list of states that “pose prove the legal frameworks around “We have so far had loopholes In the first five months of the year, Removing the special status significant threats” to its financial sys- combating money-laundering. such as collaboration with foreign- would affect a bilateral extradition tems for failures to tackle money laun- Cambodia, therefore, has to amend ers. Domestically, it is not very prob- Continued – page 4 treaty, commercial relations and export controls between the US and the Asian financial hub. The move adds to growing fric- tion between the world’s two big- gest economies amid the corona- virus crisis and in the wake of a two-year trade war that has not been fully resolved. China’s commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said the spe- cial trading status given to the former British colony was recog- nised by all WTO members and did not depend solely on the US. “If the US disregards the funda- mental principles of international relations and adopts unilateral measures according to its domes- tic laws, it will violate WTO rules and will not be in the interest of the US,” Gao said at a regular press briefing. A spokesman of China’s bank- ing regulator said separately that Hong Kong’s status as a financial hub will not be shaken by the potential sanctions. “Hong Kong’s financial market is running smoothly, and there is no abnormal capital outflow,” said the spokesman, adding that this reflected the international mar- ket’s confidence in the city. Beijing has said the planned national security law is needed to tackle “terrorism” and “separatism” and criminalises acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign interference in Hong Kong. Gao said the national security law will not undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. Destroyed Trump has provided few details Officials destroy counterfeit products in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district on Thursday. The Ministry of Interior’s Counter Counterfeit Committee destroyed on a timetable for scrapping Hong over 130 tonnes of unapproved products and fake medicines during the first five months of this year.HONG MENEA sTORY > 2 Kong’s special trading status. AFP

one month’s free VIP subscription Feeling the burn: Don’t miss our Cambodia keels on Special Report Inside page 8-9 For the first 1,000 Phnom Penh Post slow-to-act attitude readers who register! 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Man released on bail in $6M bank theft case Kim Sarom “Therefore, I release the ac- cused and overturn the Ap- HE Supreme Court on peal Court’s decision,” the Wednesday released judge said. on bail a Ministry of Defence lawyer Thuy Sokun Civil Service official said outside the courtroom that whoT allegdely colluded with the Supreme Court’s order to his wife in stealing $6 million release his client was justified. from a Canadia bank branch “The court’s decision is a in January. fair one for my client who can The order allows the ac- take care of his children. The cused – Chan Simuntha – to elderly parents cannot take be released on bail after his care of their grandchildren lawyers had argued that he and said that if the court does had already paid the money not release my client, they back. will take their grandchildren Judge Yu Yuthara read the to an orphanage,” he said. verdict before the accused According to Sokun, Simun- and his two lawyers, saying tha was told by his wife on he was overturning the Ap- January 18 to go to Canadia peal Court decision, which Bank and pick up three black had upheld the verdict of the packages. Phnom Penh Municipal Court He went and put the pack- to keep Simuntha in custody ages in his car and drove pending trial. home. When he arrived Kep provincial officials are planning to improve 1,800m of shoreline and develop two islands which are less than 10km from the coast. hong menea The judge said the decision home he parked the car was based on the record in without taking the packages the case. out, Sokun said. Simuntha’s defence lawyers Unbeknownst to Simun- Kep tourism to receive facelift as two and a lawyer for the bank told tha, the package contained the judge that the accused $6 million in customers’ had already returned the $6 money. His wife then texted islands are pegged for development million to the bank. a message to the General De- The Supreme Court also partment of Taxation to ask found that the signature on about the amount of money Thou Vireak the nearly 3,000m Kep Beach improvements to another developed so far, said Sokha. the receipt was only signed required to pay the tax. to turn it into a public beach 1,800m of the beach from Kep At a meeting to prepare the by Teang Vathanaknearyroth, The tax department con- THE government is studying to attract more tourists. beach to the Vietnamese coast. Kep provincial Tourism Devel- an employee of Canadia Bank tacted Canadia Bank because the development of the beach Upgrades will be developed “Kep province has great poten- opment Master Plan in May, and Simuntha’s wife, without they did not see the tax mon- in Kep province, in southwest- from the Crab Market to the man- tial for tourism. If we do not Ministry of Economy and the signature of the accused. ey and the bank investigated ern Cambodia, to assess its grove community area in Prey develop it, how can we attract Finance undersecretary of The judge said at the trial, and discovered that the wife tourism potential. Thom commune, in Kep town. tourists?” Sokha asked. state Ni Phally said the master the accused said he had two took the money. Kep province is a coastal area “We have already designed In addition to the coastal plan would make Kep province young children to take care of, Sokun said his client re- located more than 175km from the beach and are studying the area, Kep province has 13 an attractive destination for but after his imprisonment, turned the full amount to Phnom Penh and the govern- socio-environmental impacts archipelagos that are attractive local and global tourism. they had no caretakers and his the bank. The wife took the ment believes it has tourism on the communities living natural tourist sites. Two of the “The draft will be completed children were sent to live with money originally to transfer potential thanks to its beaches, along the coast,” he said. islands have been granted by by the end of July and will be their grandparents. to Khmer currency to gain national parks, mangrove for- Kep province now has only one the government to a private submitted at the Inter-Minis- Vathanaknearyroth is al- some profit without any in- ests, corals and seagrass. official beach with a length of development company – Koh terial Commission meeting in ready serving prison time. Re- tention of stealing the bank’s Kep provincial Department 350m, and it is yet to meet the Tonsay Island (also known as August,” he said. ferring to this reason, the Su- money,” he said. of Land Management, Urban needs of tourists. He said the Rabbit Island) and Por Island. A Ministry of Tourism report preme Court understood that Planning and Construction beach is too narrow and needs to Koh Tonsay Island is a beauti- said Kep province welcomed it was not necessary to detain www.phnompenhpost.com director Vao Sokha told The be upgraded, including road ful island that is only 4.5km from about two million international Simuntha for “conspiracy in a check the post website Post on Thursday that his team construction. Kep beach. Por Island, which lies and domestic tourists last year breach the trust”. for breaking news is studying improvements to The government is studying 7.5km off the coast, has not been – up 4.24 per cent from 2018. Rural impoverished families to receive aid Ry Sochan and districts later this month. day that the ministry had already prepared Ministry spokesman Nop Kornavuth said a budget to assist the families and would THE Ministry of Planning recently completed the information was sent to the Ministry of increase it to provide other necessities. its survey of impoverished families living in Economy and Finance for further review. Soksensan said: “We have to perform the countryside and concluded that 56,000 He said the government could studies [before we assist]. Not everyone is families are eligible to receive government announce the amount of money to be the same. We have to look at the situation assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. distributed to the families soon. and we must have conditions. We must see The ministry plans to complete the Ministry of Economy and Finance spokes- how many people have been affected by identification of poor families in towns man Meas Soksensan told The Post on Thurs- Covid-19 and to what extent, and how their livelihoods were affected,” he said. Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) director Lam Socheat said the govern- ment’s update of the identities of poor families was widely recognised by devel- opment partners and national and inter- national organisations. However, he said identifying poor fam- ilies remained difficult because peoples’ livelihoods could change rapidly. A fam- ily living in poverty could quickly rise out of poverty or a middle-class family could become impoverished, he said. Socheat said: “The conditions could be complex. Some poor families don’t have homes. They leave their hometown to work in various provinces, in cities or abroad. “Sometimes, authorities may fail to identify real poor families. Most of the families identified as poor truly are poor, although a small number of poor fami- The government has identified 56,000 rural families eligible for financial aid. hong menea lies could not be found.” THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Officials seize and destroy Thai officials stand firm in denying entry 130 tonnes of illicit goods to merchants, workers Soth Koemsoeun Long Kimmarita 200 and 300 Cambodians return- ing daily from Thailand and be- HE Ministry of Interior’s BANTEAY Meanchey provincial gov- tween 10 and 20 Cambodian work- Counter Counterfeit Com- ernor Oum Reatrey said he has tried to ers are still trying to illegally cross mittee has destroyed over negotiate with the Thailand side of the the border to Thailand. 130 tonnes of unapproved border to let Cambodian cart workers “The border is 153km-long if I productsT and fake medicines during and merchants enter the country, but am not wrong, and there are more the first five months of this year. his suggestion was rejected. than 50 corridors (unofficial check- The products were seized from 20 He said this during a press confer- points). But none of these corridors cases investigated by the Committee ence on the “Progress and working di- allow people to cross,” he said. and they were destroyed at the Dan- rection of the Banteay Meanchey Ad- The closed border has led to hun- gkor dumpsite in Choeung Ek com- ministration” organised by the Royal dreds of Cambodian cart workers mune, Dangkor district, Phnom Penh Government Spokesperson Unit at and some vendors to demonstrate, in the presence of 300 officials. the Council of Ministers on Thursday. calling for Cambodian authorities Committee chief Meach Sophana “In Banteay Meanchey, we are to intervene, so that the Thai side said the destroyed products mostly unique throughout the country could reopen the borders. comprised of illegally imported medi- and the challenge is the cart pulling But gatherings have been banned cine, fake medicine and unapproved workers. When the Poipet check- by the Banteay Meanchey provin- Chinese traditional medicines. point was open, people transported cial authorities. Also included in the haul were cos- goods by using carts,” Reatrey said. Cambodia Informal Economy Re- metic products, water, orange juice He said as of now, Thailand has an- inforced Association (Ciera) president and cakes. nounced that the country is in a state Din Puthy told The Post on Thursday Sophana said his committee will of emergency due to Covid-19 and that if the Cambodian authorities implement measures and continue would not allow citizens or foreigners raised workers’ concerns to Thai au- to investigate illegal and unapproved to travel in or out of the country. thorities, it would be a good thing. product trafficking in the Cambodian The Cambodian authorities have But he said he isn’t sure that Cam- market. tried to negotiate, but he said the bodian authorities have taken up He said: “Our siblings (citizens) Thai government has refused to the issue with Thailand as a Thai asked me why I was able to retrieve open the border gates. report does not mention any claims such great amounts of these products. The confiscated goods, mostly unapproved medicines, were destroyed at the Dangkor “I tried to have meetings with the from Cambodia on the matter. “There are many online products dumpsite in Choeung Ek commune, Dangkor district, Phnom Penh. hong menea governor of Sa Kaeo province and “Cart pulling workers and vendors which we can easily identify. There the relevant authorities to request who put their lives and possessions in were a lot of cases before as well, but have suffered after consuming the well as potentially harm consumers that they at least allow a few cart Thai territory were not only at risk of they weren’t sold online, which made goods, the perpetrators had to com- who buy their products. workers, but Thailand is sticking to contracting Covid-19 but also face fi- it harder to investigate.” pensate the victims, he said. “Buyers have to check the products the zero-tolerance policy. nancial and debt problems,” he said. Sophana said some of the perpe- Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng they purchase by checking expiry dates “The Thai government does not He suggested the Cambodian trators were sentenced to five to 10 said if citizens do not obey the law, the and logos, especially on medicines.” allow people to enter their country. government ban Thai lorries be- years in prison, while others were ministries will issue them with fines. He also urged the police to take ac- This is a restriction from the Thai cause goods from Cambodia to suspended, reprimanded and re- He said perpetrators will waste tion against people who continue to side. We have tried to help, but they Thailand have many restrictions quired to sign a contract or fined. their money and time if they con- import unapproved goods into the won’t allow us to enter,” Reatrey said. while the Thais can transport goods If any consumers were found to tinue to traffic unapproved goods, as Cambodian market. He said there are still between to Cambodia much easier. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Gov’t puts citizens, Lorry loses control, injures 17 institutions on alert Khouth Sophak Chakrya

T LEAST 17 work- for money laundering ers were injured in a traffic accident on Continued from page 1 welcomed the laws. National Road 5 in “The adoption of the anti- KampongA Chhnang province the courts had charged only money laundering and ter- on Wednesday, said local au- two people with fraud and rorism financing law is a thorities. drug crimes. significant step in the right The accident occurred in Vichea said Cambodia’s direction for Cambodia. Samaki Meanchey district’s placement on the EU’s list of “Cambodia also shows slight Sethei commune. financially risky states came improvements in public trans- District police chief Seng as surprise because, in the parency and accountability, Chenda told The Post on Thurs- past, the Kingdom had not but still lacks proper investi- day that five of the workers are received many requests from gation into money laundering employed at the Horizon Out- it to clamp down on money- and terrorist financing. door (Cambodia) Co Ltd gar- laundering crimes. “The Kingdom has also not ment factory, nine at Golden “Upon hearing this news, yet complied with customer Apparel (Cambodia) Co Ltd ministries, institutions and due diligence requirements, and three at Kai Neng Leather leaders have met for talks to record keeping and reporting Products (Cambodia) Co Ltd. better understand the formu- of suspicious transactions in The three factories are lo- la used to come up with that the financial sector. cated in Kampong Tralach conclusion. Pisey said the EU’s blacklist district. “We have worked with FATF is just to enforce the Cam- Chenda said: “Among the 17 and we know their formula. So bodian [money laundering] workers, three sustained seri- my side wants to meet with EU framework as one of the pil- ous injuries and were sent to experts and ask why and how lars of its legislation to com- Calmette Hospital in Phnom we can cooperate,” Vichea said. bat money laundering and Penh while the other 14 are The lorry involved in the accident was carrying 60 factory workers when it swerved to avoid an oncoming Vichea said Cambodia has terrorism financing. being treated at Kampong motorbike. supplied collaborated with the US, He said banks and other Tralach District Referral Hos- South Korea, Singapore, Thai- gatekeepers are required to pital and Te Vanna Clinic in who sustained serious injuries Kunthea said: “They only Vannak said: “We gave a day land, Japan and other coun- apply enhanced vigilance in the same district. were allowed three to seven sustained minor injuries but off to those who have just left tries, as well as Interpol. In business relationships and “According to workers who days off without a salary de- they are still suffering from hospital without deducting that collaboration, Cambodia transactions involving high- were in the same lorry, the ac- duction, according to factory shock.” their salary. We will also pro- has broadened its knowledge risk third countries. “The cident occurred because the representatives on Thursday. The administration director vide them other benefits.” of money-laundering, espe- types of enhanced vigilance driver tried to avoid a motor- Thy Kunthea, the adminis- of the Golden Apparel factory, The three injured workers cially with cybercrime. requirements are basically bike which was riding in the tration director of the Horizon Mao Vannak, told The Post from the Kai Neng Leather Citizens, he said, should extra checks and control mea- opposite direction. The lorry Outdoor factory, confirmed to that his nine workers only Products factory were also al- remain vigilant and report sures,” he said. slipped off the road, causing The Post that after visiting the sustained minor injuries. Six lowed to have a day off with- money laundering to the po- He urged the government 17 of the 60 workers to fall five workers employed at his had left hospital on Thursday out salary deduction. lice if they suspect such ac- to consult with international and sustain injuries.” factory, they were given a day morning, while three others “Our priority is the safety of tivities. experts, civil society, media Workers who sustained mi- off to recover without a salary are still being treated at the the workers,” said a Kai Neng Pech Pisey, the executive and the private sector to en- nor injuries were allowed a deduction or the loss of other Kampong Tralach District Re- Leather Products factory rep- director of Transparency In- sure the laws are globally ac- day off to recover. Workers benefits. ferral Hospital. resentative. ternational (TI) Cambodia, ceptable. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Virus doesn’t Gov’t refutes rights repression claim permit civil servants to Niem Chheng because they are members of the for- mer opposition party, but they post work remotely SENIOR official said on fake news – information that incites Thursday that the govern- social chaos. T AN inauguration cer- ment has not clamped down “Some pieces of information have emony on Wednesday for on freedom of speech despite the nature of causing fear and inse- A newly appointed and recently accusationsA by UN High Commissioner curity,” he said. promoted Ministry of Civil Service for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Malin said Cambodia had not ar- officials, Minister Prum Sokha urged Cambodia Human Rights Commit- rested those who have expressed them not to use Covid-19 as an tee (CHRC) spokesperson Chin Ma- views about Covid-19. But it detained excuse to work from home. lin was commenting on statements those who had committed offences Instead, at the ceremony which by Bachelet, expressing alarm at the as per the law and judicial orders. took place at the Royal School of Ad- repression of freedom of expression “Their activities are not an expres- ministration, he encouraged them to in parts of the Asia-Pacific during the sion of speech as protected by law. work effectively to provide essential Covid-19 pandemic. They committed offences such as public services. She said on Wednesday that many posting fake news, incitement to cause Sokha was quoted in Fresh News countries in the region have laws gov- chaos, intimidation, and affected the as saying that while some officials erning “fake news” and online media rights and freedoms of others. were hindered by Covid-19 and had that raise human rights concerns and “This is not an expression of speech to work from home, others were have been used in other contexts to concerning Covid-19. These are of- expected to perform their duties in deter legitimate speech, especially fences that are subject to legal mea- public as required by their positions. public debate and criticism of gov- sures,” he said. “Covid-19 is not an excuse to stay ernment policy. Rights group Licadho’s deputy direc- home. The most important thing is The Covid-19 pandemic, she said, tor Am Sam Ath said on Thursday that to protect yourself while preventing Cambodia Human Rights Committee spokesman Chin Malin says the government has not had witnessed a further tightening virus transmission and providing clamped down on freedom of speech. heng chivoan his organisation had also monitored of censorship in several countries, the problem and the figure his organi- efficient services. This is the model along with arrests and detention of ing discontent or allegedly spreading overcome them,” she said. sation recorded seemed no different. of work public servants should be people critical of their government’s false information through the press National Police spokesperson “Licadho still supports freedom of following,” he said. response or simply sharing informa- and social media have been reported Chhay Kim Khoeun said on Thursday speech and encourages the expression Sokha also urged all civil service tion or views about the pandemic. in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, In- that since Covid-19, 50 people had of speech. But it is just that expression officials to continue improving the “In Cambodia, the UN Human dia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, been arrested. of speech is constructive criticism. quality, efficiency and effectiveness Rights Office has documented the Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Of the number, 26 were held ac- “Before information is shared or of their work. arrest of 30 individuals, including Thailand and Vietnam. cording to arrest warrants and are posted we have to consider which in- He said the nation should especially six women and a 14-year-old girl for While governments have a le- in custody, while 24 were allowed to formation is true and false,” he said. focus on developing its digital skills as Covid-19-related public comments gitimate interest in controlling the return home after having been edu- He said there must be freedom of Industrial Revolution 4.0 unfolds. and social media posts. spread of misinformation in a vola- cated. One was the 14-year-old girl expression and speech in democratic Undersecretary of state and minis- “A number have been charged with tile and sensitive context, she said who was released after education, countries because the expression of try spokesman Chhoeun Bunnarath spreading fake news or false informa- this must be proportionate and pro- Kim Khoeun said. criticism is for constructive improve- told The Post on Thursday that tion, incitement to commit a felony, tect freedom of expression. “They use Covid-19 as a bridge ments. apart from motivating officials to do and plotting against the government. “This crisis should not be used to attack and incite [the people] to “Does an expression of speech follow their best, Sokha also told them to Fourteen remain in detention, 10 of to restrict dissent or the free flow cause chaos. It is right that they have the code of ethics? Don’t use rude and ensure that they follow proper virus whom are associated with the dis- of information and debate. A di- been charged with inciting a felony insulting words or words that affect prevention methods such as social banded Cambodia National Rescue versity of viewpoints will foster a with the intention to implement a the honour of others. We must judge distancing and maintaining hygiene. Party (CNRP) ,” she said. greater understanding of the chal- plot against the government. which information is true and false be- Long Kimmarita Bachelet said arrests for express- lenges we face and help us better “We arrested these 26 people not fore making statements,” he said.

A hotel in Siem Reap sits empty while tourism authorities work to attract domestic visitors. post staff SR hopes for local tourism

Thou Vireak Currently, 40 hotels and 66 tion, even in Cambodia, is a lit- guesthouses in the province tle bit eased, but there are GUESTHOUSES and restau- are operating their businesses restrictions on travelling abroad, rants are gradually reopening as usual and are hopeful that so we’re not seeing many inter- in Siem Reap province, a local tourists will visit. national visitors. We’re seeing world-renowned cultural tour- In total, 230 hotels and 261 that local tourism plays an ism site famous for its Angkor- guesthouses are licensed to do important role in supporting era temples after Covid-19 business in the province, he the tourism business.” forced many businesses in the said. An employee of the three-star area to shut down. Sengkak said: “We find that Angkor Vattanak Pheap Hotel At a press conference at the people are more likely to visit in Siem Reap said some hotels Council of Ministers on Tues- community-based tourism sites. are gradually reopening, but day, the director of the provin- We now have five land-based, tourists have yet to arrive. cial tourism department Ngov community-based, tourism sites “We get about one to two Sengkak said authorities are and six offshore ones.” guests per day for $15 per night. working hard to promote Ministry spokesman Top We only opened about 10 rooms domestic tourism since inter- Sopheak said although some downstairs because we can’t national tourism has been business activities have resumed, afford to pay the electricity bill.” almost completely wiped out karaoke clubs remain closed. From January to May by Covid-19. Sopheak said authorities are 386,093 foreign tourists “During the Covid-19 pan- continuing to enforce virus pre- bought tickets to visit the demic, we are promoting com- vention measures such as main- Angkor Archaeological Park, munity tourism sites in prepa- taining hygiene, social distanc- down 65.46 per cent year-on- ration to welcome our ing and wearing face masks. year, according to the Angkor Cambodian visitors,” he said. He said: “The current situa- Enterprise. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,117 1.3501 7.1231 109.05 4.2755 1.4018 31.59 0.6896 1.1202 1.2517 China may allow half a million SEZs prepare for tonnes of Kingdom’s mangoes ‘post-Covid’ era Hin Pisei recoil, expansion HE Chinese Em- bassy in Cambo- May Kunmakara manufacturing exports and dia announced on construction – are hammered its Facebook page ALTHOUGH Cambodia’s eco- by the pandemic, its latest onT Thursday that Chinese nomic growth is widely fore- economic update said. and Cambodian officials are cast to contract this year, sev- The collapse of the three scheduled to sign an agree- eral factories in the Phnom drivers, accounting for over ment on June 9 permitting the Penh Special Economic Zone 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s Kingdom to export 500,000 (PPSEZ), the Kingdom’s sec- growth and nearly 40 per cent tonnes of mangoes per year ond-largest industrial zone of employment, has con- to China. after Sihanoukville SEZ, are strained economic expan- The meeting will be held at preparing for expansion. sion, which puts 1.76 million the Ministry of Agriculture, PPSEZ managing director jobs at risk. Forestry and Fisheries. Hiroshi Uematsu told The It also warned that capi- Mangoes will become the Post on Thursday that al- tal inflows are tapering and second agricultural product though many factories have could in turn trigger the eas- given the green light for ex- been affected by the spread ing of real estate market pric- port to China after yellow ba- of coronavirus, some are es, likely ending the construc- nanas were approved in April preparing for Post-Covid-19 tion boom. of last year. comebacks. As such, non-performing The opening of the Chinese At the end of last month, loans could rise on the back market is expected to further he said, the total number of of large outstanding credit to promote the development of workers at PPSEZ was 20,540, the construction, real estate agricultural products in Cam- Chinese and Cambodian officials could sign an agreement on June 9 permitting the Kingdom to export a 2.68 per cent decrease from and mortgage sector. bodia, and insiders said receiv- 500,000 tonnes of mangoes per year to China. HENG CHIVOAN January. Stephen Higgins, a manag- ing large import orders from However, he said, some ing partner at investment and China will be a great boon for ing from a Chinese embassy value of Cambodian mangoes not know yet whether man- companies like Japanese- advisory firm Mekong Strate- the Kingdom’s economy. representative who told him and increases the income of goes sent to China would owned automotive compo- gic Partners Co Ltd (MSP) said Mong Reththy, board chair- to register his company with farmers but it will also steer be subject to restrictions nents manufacturer Denso the Kingdom’s manufacturing man of agro-industrial con- the ministry to enable him to more investment to the sector. on phytosanitary treatment (Cambodia) Co Ltd and New sector will be fast to recover glomerate Mong Reththy export greater quantities of Rithy said that because conditions, which are used York-based Tiffany & Co sub- from the Covid-19 pandemic. Group Co Ltd, which invests mangoes to China. there is no clear market at to kill plant pests, packaging sidiary Laurelton Diamonds “Post-Covid, I’m very opti- in the cultivation and export Although he says he cur- present, the Kingdom’s man- restrictions, exporter restric- (Cambodia) Co Ltd are pre- mistic about the outlook for of mangoes, told The Post on rently owns about 70,000 goes do not have a clear mar- tions or quotas. paring to boost hiring once manufacturing in Cambodia. Thursday that the agreement mango trees and his partners ket value. In January, Cambodia and the pandemic subsides. The problem is determining will provide many benefits to own hundreds of thousands “China is a big market, so al- South Korea signed an agree- Chinese clothing manufac- when it will be ‘post-Covid’,” the people, the mango grow- of trees, Reththy claims that lowing us to export mangoes ment to allow Cambodia to turer Shenzhou International he said. ers, the investors and the na- to meet China’s demand, there directly would prove a export mangoes directly to tional economy. Cambodia has to expand its godsend,” he said. South Korea through Hyundai We think that minus one per He said China represents cultivation of the desirable He noted that the price of Mao Legacy Co Ltd, a compa- a large market for mangoes fruit. mangoes during the most re- ny that uses steam treatment cent for GDP is very much the and transporting them there “To be able to provide cent harvest season dropped to sterilise their crops and optimistic case and we would will be easier than exporting 500,000 tonnes of mangoes significantly, with prices per exterminate pests, a practice them to European markets. per year to China, growers kg ranging between 200 riel preferred by South Koreans. expect it to be worse than that He added that his company and exporters will need to co- ($0.05) and 300 riel. A ministry report said Cam- currently exports mangoes to operate,” he said. At the end of last year, man- bodia exported 44,099 tonnes Group Holdings Ltd’s Cam- However, he added, the re- many countries in Europe as Vann Rithy, general manag- goes were selling for about of fresh mangoes during the bodian arm Marvel Garment ality is that for much of the well as Russia. er of Angkor Mango, which ex- 1,400 to 1,500 riel per kilo- first five months of the year, Co Ltd and Tokyo-based con- Cambodian economy, things “I am very happy that Cam- ports fresh mangoes to Thai- gramme. up 50.95 per cent from 29,214 glomerate Sumitomo Group will not return to normal this bodia can officially export land and mango jam to Japan, Rithy said: “The unclear tonnes in the same period subsidiary Sumi (Cambodia) year and for some sectors mangoes to China. I plan to said the market will improve market, coupled with border last year. Wiring Systems Co Ltd, are such as tourism, it will likely grow more mangoes when when Cambodia can directly restrictions to curb the spread The Kingdom exported also keen to start hiring again, take until 2022 before things the market materialises,” he export to China, the world’s of Covid-19, have been the 58,162 tonnes of fresh man- he said. start returning to normal. said. largest mango market. major reasons for the signifi- goes last year to Thailand, Uematsu said: “From our “Garments should be re- Reththy said he received The opening of mango ex- cant drop of mango prices.” Vietnam, Singapore, France, experience in Phnom Penh turning towards normal by a call on Thursday morn- ports not only enhances the However, he said he did Russia and Hong Kong. and the Poipet SEZ, we can the end of this year, while see that automobile parts like construction is likely to have Denso, and Sumi Wiring Sys- a steady decline over the next tems are expanding opera- couple of years.” tions . . . Electronics manu- “We think that minus one Acleda reports sound first quarter post-IPO facturers like Minebea and per cent for GDP is very much Sumitronics are operating at the optimistic case and we May Kunmakara ABC’s strong quarterly perfor- mercial bank to issue on the same time, and it was history high productivity rates. would expect it to be worse mance reflects on its ability to bourse with a total of 4.34 for our market. “We have also seen an in- than that,” said Higgins. ACLEDA Bank Plc (ABC), a generate profit no matter the million shares for sale – one “During the past years, crease in food and beverage PPSEZ’s Uematsu sug- stock-listed firm on the Cam- national economic environ- per cent of its total shares of most of the CSX listed stocks and other consumer goods gested to the government to bodia Securities Exchange ment. more than 433 million, ac- are valued stock, so the mar- like Ajinomoto, Coca-Cola, revise the Law on Investment (CSX), reported sound busi- He said ABC will also gain cording its CSX filing. ket is not very active. Angkor Milk, [hard candy pro- and Law on Special Economic ness performance in the first “more loyal customers and Price per share started at “After the listing, ABC be- ducer] Aprati Foods, [sanitary Zones to draw in more inves- quarter of the year. stronger branding because 16,200 riel ($3.94) and closed came a momentous stock goods manufacturer] Winsun, tors. It logged $36 million in of the benefits from listing its first day at 16,500 riel. that investors were trying to [paint and coating products The laws should be adopted profit for the quarter, a surge on the CSX”, which will lead Ha said the CSX has seen get profit from by trading. producer] TOA for the do- “in a way that supports these of more than 17 per cent to even higher profits in the a flurry of activity since the Many more people are open- mestic market,” he said. kinds of industries so that from the $29 million record- future. listing, with ABC’s daily trad- ing trading accounts every The World Bank expects Cambodia can diversify in- ed in the same period last ABC listed on the exchange ing volume averaging 273,405 day to join the investment,” further recoil on Cambo- dustry, which it must. year, it said in its financial on May 25, raising $17.5 mil- shares, worth 5.78 billion riel said Ha. dia’s gross domestic product “I suggest the government report filed to the bourse on lion in its official initial public per session. ABC closed 0.81 per cent (GDP) growth to between identify priority industries Thursday. offering (IPO). “ABC [has led to] thousands higher at 19,840 riel on Thurs- minus one and minus 2.9 per and use attractive incentives CSX vice-president Ha It became the sixth stock- of investors trying to log in day, with 68,166 shares trad- cent for this year, as its main to ‘welcome’ them to the Jong-weon told The Post that listed firm and the first com- to our trading system at the ed, worth 1.35 billion riel. growth drivers – tourism, country,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Laos okays Indonesia gov’t unveils $48B stimulus study for HE Indonesian gov- to minimise the government’s ernment unveiled on interest rate burden to support Wednesday a bigger economic recovery if needed.” thermal stimulus package BI has injected a total of worthT 677.2 trillion rupiah 583.5 trillion rupiah since the ($47.8 billion) to anchor the beginning of the year to carry project virus-battered economy, the out monetary operations to growth of which is expected to stabilise the financial mar- A SINGAPOREAN firm joint- fall to a level similar to that of ket and boost bank liquidity, venturing with a Lao part- the 1998 Asian financial crisis. among other purposes. ner has agreed with the Lao The latest budget, which World Bank senior econo- government to conduct a is higher than the 641.17 mist for Indonesia Ralph van feasibility study on the de- trillion rupiah initially al- Doorn called on the Indone- velopment of a clean thermal located, aims to strengthen sian government to take steps power plant in the southern the healthcare system, direct to maintain market confi- province of Sekong. more spending toward social dence as debt mounts amid Singapore’s Evolution Pow- protection to boost consump- the outbreak. er Investment Corp Pte Ltd tion and provide incentives to “The government must (Epic) and Sekong-based rescue Indonesian businesses [provide assurances over its] Khounmixay Bridge and from bankruptcy and workers fiscal strategy to raise reve- Road Construction and Re- from layoffs. nues back to at least the 2018 pair Company (KMX) recent- Minister of Finance Sri level to flatten the debt curve,” ly signed a Memorandum of Mulyani Indrawati said the Van Doorn said recently. Understanding (MoU) with government had put in place It should unwind “excep- the government for the clean support measures to coun- tional measures” taken to thermal power development. ter an economic fallout from battle the pandemic after the Under the MoU, Epic and the coronavirus pandemic, The latest budget, which is higher than the 641.17 trillion rupiah ($45.3 billion) initially allocated, aims to virus threat subsides, includ- KMX will be permitted to con- adding that the government strengthen the healthcare system, direct more spending toward social protection to boost consumption and ing by reinstating the deficit duct a feasibility study on the provide incentives to rescue Indonesian businesses from bankruptcy and workers from layoffs. AFP would again revise the mac- ceiling of three per cent and economic, social and environ- roeconomic assumption un- mestic product (GDP) growth trillion rupiah comprises the Bank Indonesia (BI), the cen- ending BI’s partial financing mental viability of a 1,000MW derpinning the state budget could be lower than the gov- stimulus for state-owned en- tral bank, pledged during the of the deficit, he said. clean thermal technology to cover for the larger stimu- ernment’s projection of 2.3 terprises (SOEs) and labour- same briefing to continue Indonesia’s debt-to-GDP power plant project in the lus package. per cent this year. In the intensive businesses. buying government bonds in ratio would rise to 37 per cent province’s Dakcheung district. “This is a thorough stimulus worst-case scenario, the gov- The government now proj- the primary market as the last this year, from 29.8 per cent The project is estimated to package to support people’s ernment expects the econo- ects the state budget deficit resort and non-competitive at the end of last year, van cost $1.7 billion and expected purchasing power and busi- my to contract 0.4 per cent. to reach 6.34 per cent of GDP, bidder to help finance the Doorn projected. to be commissioned by 2027, nesses,” Sri Mulyani told re- Under the new stimulus up from the previous estima- government’s budget. BI has Meanwhile, Center of Re- producing reliable year-round porters in a livestreamed news budget, the government will tion of 6.27 per cent. It expects bought around 26 trillion ru- form on Economics (Core) electricity for export to neigh- conference. “We are hoping provide 87.55 trillion rupiah state revenue to reach 1.4 qua- piah worth of bonds directly Indonesia economist Piter bouring Cambodia, Thailand that this stimulus can main- for the healthcare sector, 203.9 drillion rupiah this year, while through auctions. Abdullah lauded the govern- and Vietnam. Domestic dis- tain our economic growth at trillion rupiah to strengthen state spending is projected to “Close coordination be- ment’s move. tribution is also likely. above zero per cent.” social safety net programmes increase by 124.5 trillion ru- tween the finance minis- “Although it may not be The project intends to use do- The Indonesian economy and 123.46 trillion rupiah in piah to 2.74 quadrillion. try and the central bank in enough, the move signals that mestically-extracted fuel sourc- grew 2.97 per cent year- incentives for micro, small “We will treat the widen- budget financing has fuelled the government is flexible es to generate power for export on-year in the first quarter, and medium businesses. ing budget deficit carefully confidence among market about adjusting the stimulus,” and thereby adding value to lo- the weakest in 19 years, as As much as 120.6 trillion in terms of sustainability players,” Perry told report- Piter told The Jakarta Post cal natural resources and opti- household spending and in- rupiah will be allocated for and financing,” Sri Mulyani ers. “With growing market on Wednesday. “This would mising foreign exchange. vestment growth plunged as bigger tax incentives and pledged. “We will look for fi- optimism, we expect that the boost market confidence and A number of thermal power the outbreak hit economies 97.11 trillion rupiah to sup- nancing sources with the low- needs of our bond buying help strengthen the rupiah technology options will be around the world. port ministries and regional est risk and costs.” programme will be small. exchange rate.” THE JAKARTA POST/ studied such as conventional Sri Mulyani said gross do- administrations, while 44.57 Perry Warjiyo, governor of “Bank Indonesia is also ready ASIA NEWS NETWORK pulverised boilers (PC) and circulating-fluidised-bed (CFB) boilers, both of which will oper- ate within an ultra-supercritical (USC) steam parameter which determines how efficient the AirAsia in talks fuel source can be spent. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Khamchanh to sell 10% stake Vongseneboun and KMX vice-president Khamthanh MALAYSIA’S AirAsia Group are deemed fit. Phommathat signed the MoU Bhd is in talks to sell 10 per “This is provided that the on behalf of the Epic-KMX cent of its shares to South aggregate number of shares joint venture company. Korea’s third largest conglom- issued pursuant to the resolu- Khamthanh said thermal erate SK Corp. tion in the preceding 12 months power would play an essen- The stake sale will take place [from the AGM] does not exceed tial part in the power genera- through a private placement of 10 per cent of the total number tion mix for the ASEAN region new AirAsia shares at one ring- of issued AirAsia shares, exclud- and given the global head- git ($0.23) a share, sources say. ing treasury shares.” winds against thermal power, Should the deal materialise, SK Corp, with primary core in terms of its environmental AirAsia will raise an estimated businesses in the energy and impact, the latest technolo- 334.2 million ringgit from the telecommunications indus- gies needed to be used to placement of new shares. tries, registered revenue of minimise such impact. When contacted regarding $213.6 billion and total assets “This is precisely the intention the deal, AirAsia Group CEO of $257.9 billion in 2018. of the project by working with Tony Fernandes declined to The government is looking world-class construction and comment. to arrange a 1.5 billion ringgit power equipment manufactur- Sources say SK Corp had ini- cash injection into three local ers in delivering sustainable tially intended to acquire more airlines, including AirAsia. energy that meets the reality of than 10 per cent of AirAsia’s The financial aid will help tomorrow’s power demand in shares. support the local airline indus- Malaysia’s AirAsia Group Bhd is in talks to sell 10 per cent of its shares to South Korea’s third largest the most efficient and environ- conglomerate SK Corp. AFP The potential private place- try to prepare for operations ment-friendly manner,” he said. ment does not require AirAsia post-Covid-19. teed by Danajamin, while the from forward sales. A source said: “Expectations are Commenting on the MoU, to seek a fresh round of approv- Airlines have been cash- remaining 20 per cent will be Going forward, the local airline that AirAsia will be looking to tap Epic executive director Don als from its shareholders, as it strapped following the ground- corporate guaranteed,” said industry is progressively restart- into the bubble of travel within Lim said: “We are extremely had already been approved ing of most of their fleet during the source. Danajamin is a ing operations as local Covid-19 Malaysia, Singapore and Thai- excited to have reached this during the group’s latest annu- the Covid-19 outbreak. government guarantee. cases are on a downtrend. land by end-June or early-July. important milestone for the al general meeting (AGM) held The Malaysian Association of As such, the potential pri- There are talks in progress to “This is considering the fact development of our flagship on June 27, last year. Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) vate placement and the gov- consider commencing flights that local Covid-19 infection project with the Lao govern- As set out in the notice of previously reported that air- ernment’s financial support to and from Sabah soon. rates have been low or zero in ment and believe we can make AirAsia’s second AGM, Ordi- craft movements at Malaysian will solve AirAsia’s immedi- Sources reveal that the Sarawak these three countries. a significant contribution to nary Resolution 5 stated: “The airports had declined by 11.9 ate cash flow needs. state government is also con- “Further down the road, not only the country’s energy directors of the company, in per cent in the first quarter of AirAsia has cash and cash sidering to commence flight this will be extended to Viet- sector but also regional mar- their absolute discretion, are the year compared to the same equivalents amounting to 2.59 operations soon. nam, China and South Korea, kets as well given the signifi- empowered to issue shares in quarter last year. billion ringgit as at December Sabah and Sarawak are signifi- which are all experiencing cant shortfall in baseload ener- AirAsia from time to time, for “Some 80 per cent of the 1.5 31, last year, of which a sub- cant destinations for AirAsia low infection rates.” THE STAR gy supply such as in Vietnam.” purposes and persons that billion ringgit will be guaran- stantial portion is possibly within Malaysia. (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com S pecial​​ ReportReport Feeling the burn: Cambodia keels on slow-to-act attitude Had the Industrial Development Policy (IDP) been put to work, the economic impact might have been less painful, having climbed the value chain and workers up-skilled

Sangeetha Amarthalingam the same period in 2019, said World Bank in its latest economic update. N 2015, when the Cambo- The focus in a single sector was dian Industrial Development specifically what IDP aimed to Policy 2015-2025 (IDP) was in- avoid. troduced, the manufacturing As of February 2020, the export Iindustry was characterised as hav- of garment, footwear, and travel ing a narrow industrial base which goods consisted of 1,087 factories focussed on garment and food pro- which employed 941,000 workers. cessing industries. Last year, the segment contributed It was missing a middle and infor- 17 per cent of real gross domestic mal industrial structure, possessed growth. a weak and urban-centred entrepre- “The government relied on a few neurship, a low value-add and low growth drivers that have become level of technology application. almost saturated. Only in the past Most of the production activities couple of years has it begun to em- were family-based with lack of en- brace targeted economic diversifi- trepreneurship and inadequate use cation toward higher-end growth of technology, thus limiting their sectors while maintaining growth ability to compete in international over existing ones,” said Kimlong markets. who is also the director of the Cen- Enter the policy to transform and tre for Governance Innovation and modernise the industrial structure Democracy at independent think- to a skills-driven industry by 2025 tank Asian Vision Institute (AVI). from a labour intensive one via vari- Although the development of the ous methods, including connecting IDP and the recent creation of the to regional and global value chains, SME Bank aim to promote private and building a technology-driven sector development, the implemen- and knowledge-based sector. tation and scalability of these two The realisation of this vision policies have yet to materialise. would contribute to national economic development, sustain- Sinking into complacency able and inclusive high economic Old-timers recall that when the growth, create employment, in- Council for Development of Cam- crease economic value-add and a bodia (CDC) was formed in 1994, The garment sector has been relying on raw material supply such as zips and buttons from China, which ran into shortage earlier higher income for Cambodians. a year after the Kingdom’s first this year, causing a halt in production post staff By all accounts, the document, general election, blazing measures which has its foundation in the were identified to move up the val- ment manufacturing as one of the government to sink into complacen- cent of total employment at risk, third Rectangular Strategy, is a ue chain to ensure that the labour- mainstreams of our economy,” said cy, seeking solace from the fact that the World Bank said. wholesome policy that advocated intensive phase does not last more David Van, a senior associate of Cambodia was a least developed To date, some 150,000 unskilled a dynamic transformation using than 12 years, at most. Platform Impact, a public-private country, a notion ministry spokes- workers have been suspended af- precise strategies. “But now, 25 years later, we are still partnership. man Sokensensan dismissed. ter180 garment and footwear facto- Five years down the road and stuck with the same sunset industry Decades of heavy reliance on This is moot. Seeing how Cam- ries have ground to a halt on lower reaching the midterm, little action that is the garment. The future of the garment and footwear sectors bodia could have saved millions of orders and raw material supplies. has taken place. this industry is highly uncertain. with the safety net of preferential dollars instead of reeling from the In line with that, poverty is fore- Cambodia faltered at the begin- “[With Covid-19] the short term schemes - EBA and the US’ General shortage of raw materials cast to increase between one and ning itself, despite the watertight pain [threatens] to eventually Sys- t e m of Prefer- had it climbed the value five percentage points from a recommendations. This was due destroy the sustain- ences – is no chain from its present 50 per cent income loss that to a lack of readiness and good ability of gar- longer fea- cut-make-pack model lasts for three months for coordination between stake- sible, par- to manufacture zips households involved in the holders, including the private t i c u l a r l y and buttons for its growth sectors, or between sector, said Ministry of Econ- the former garment industry, three and 11 percentage omy and Finance spokes- which is instead of relying on points if income loss ex- man Meas Soksensan. expected to Chinese firms for tends to six months. The consequence of that be partially raw material supply. The bank fore- is a manufacturing sec- withdrawn The sector now re- sees gross do- tor that remains largely in August. coils along with two mestic product labour intensive, and But these other economic drivers (GDP) to shrink now with Covid-19 were the be- – tourism and construc- between minus wreaking havoc in liefs which tion – putting at least one per cent the economy, efforts critics allege 1.8 million jobs or (baseline) have slowed if not led the 20 per and minus stopped entirely. 2.9 per cent This has roughly (downside) wiped out $2 billion on the back to $3 billion worth of of Covid-19, garment and footwear rendering it exports as of May the slowest 31, 2020, due to the expansion pandemic and global since 1994. recession, said econo- The formal mist Chheng Kimlong. garment sec- He added that nearly tor is the main $300 million in revenue source of gov- for the government has ernment revenue likely been lost. in the form of And it correlates export tax, with the compara- which is con- tively lower growth strued as di- of 7.5 per cent in the first rect revenue. quarter of 2020 The sector (1Q20) versus 17.7 comes in third per cent growth in post staff in terms of con- THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 Special​​ Report tribution to real economic growth, providing about 17 per cent of real Impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on GDP growth last year. Cambodia’s main growth drivers and employment Foreign direct investment in- flows, mostly into the construc- tion sector, have originated from a small number of regional coun- tries, especially China, the World Bank said. Construction and the real estate sector bumped up revenue in re- cent years, representing more than a third of economic growth. But revenue collection is expect- ed to be significantly below the budget target in 2020, inevitably expanding overall fiscal deficit in- cluding grants to nine per cent of GDP this year from a surplus of 0.5 per cent in 2019. In 2019, savings stood at 20.2 per cent of GDP or 22.2 trillion riel ($5.4 billion) after several years of accu- mulation. But this year, a shortfall is likely in domestic revenue. “It might require the authorities to dip into government savings, while domestic financing needs Source: Cambodian authorities and World Bank staff estimates. are projected to amount to 5.3 per Note:1. Wage employment. cent of GDP,” the World Bank said. Signs of increased expenditure are evident where 3.8 trillion riel of thinking and doing business is Covid-19 status by the middle of was spent in the first quarter ended now obsolete?” Van asked. 2022 to early 2023. March 31, 2020 (1Q20), which was ing seen as indispensable to rais- It is hard to see a rapid recovery No doubt, it is a concern behind In the meantime, Soksensan as- 20.7 per cent more at 3.1 trillion riel ing productivity and prohibiting for garment exports and tourism, every government’s mind. serted that government efforts to from a year ago. the hiring of costly expertise from considering that many major buy- AVI’s Kimlong opined that the diversify the economy have seen This, despite a higher income of overseas, is criticised. ers in the EU and US have filed for economy will continue to suffer a shift, evidenced by the non-gar- 5.5 trillion riel compared to 5.1 tril- According to Van, the policy high- bankruptcy while large hotel out- the blow from the global recession ment sector’s growth of 16.8 per lion riel in the corresponding pe- lights certain “pioneering” sectors lets have opted for fire sales, cou- and deglobalisation due to the lin- cent year-on-year in 2019 from 5.8 riod in 2019. to be promoted by the government, pled with the International Civil gering effects of Covid-19. per cent in 2018. Based on ministry data, some 1.7 but the public does not seem to see Aviation Organisation’s estimates “The garment, footwear and “The shift was just starting. Un- trillion riel balance remained at any specific efforts or measures. that commercial flights might only tourism sectors, including trans- fortunately, Covid-19 will be an ob- the end of the quarter compared to “Had we started to aggressively resume pre-Covid-19 frequency by portation and aviation, and the stacle to its progress. Our economy 1.9 trillion riel in 1Q19. and comprehensively promote 2023. entire hospitality sector will be the will be badly affected. We hope to those sectors, we might not be in “What is our exit strategy for biggest losers,” he said. recover in 2021 ... our readiness for Exit strategy? the doldrums today with three ma- the post-Covid-19 crises and how If a second wave crisis does not a new economic platform will be Here is where the slow roll-out jor economic pillars collapsing,” he do we address and deal with the happen, Cambodia’s economy is better and stronger,” stressed Sok- of IDP, which includes skills train- said. new normal because the old way expected to pick up to the pre- sensan. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST jUNE 5 , 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus Digital marketing Binary gold: Big data is currency in digital age

SLOVAKIA In a conversation with The Post, ADA country director Hubert

CUBA Marchand explains how his data-first advertising firm keeps its competitive COLOMBIA edge in tech-savvy Cambodia.

includes thousands of apps and social media data from nine million Facebook and five million Youtube users, ADA also analyses behaviour at more than one million points of interest. With a relatively young market and a population that rapidly adapts to tech innova- tion, Marchand stressed that HILE in the past the company is poised to capi- manufactur- talise on Cambodia’s reputation ing industries as “the leapfrog Kingdom”. dominated the “The Cambodian market is Weconomy, data-driven tech in flux and growing leaps and firms like Facebook and Google bounds. Whereas other markets are quickly proving that the in Asia Pacific gradually tran- most valuable commodity in sitioned into the digital era, the 21st century is data. Cambodia skipped a few steps. Cambodia has skipped technological steps to become a ‘mobile-first’ country, according toADA ’s country director Hubert Marchand. TIM BORITH Kuala Lumpur-based ADA “Many Cambodians skipped Asia is similar to innovative the desktop phase and jumped consumer attitude, product or Marchand used ADA’s suc- firms in Silicon Valley. The straight to mobile, making client is more responsive to cessful campaign for Burger advertising company uses the Kingdom a mobile-first unboxing videos or lifestyle- King when describing his firm’s artificial intelligence and data country,” he said. based marketing, or rather one services. analytics to execute precision where the focus should be put When the company was marketing solutions ­– like how on specifications and features. tasked with expanding the con- Facebook advertises based on sumer base for the US burger its users’ behaviour on their chain, ADA started its market- platform. ” ing approach with research. “To win in the market space “Our work for Burger King is in 2020, it boils down to data. To win in the market a testament to why evidence- The digital age has increased based strategies like localisation the amount of time people space in 2020, it in marketing matters. spend consuming content boils down to data. “During our research phase, and has therefore added more we used location data to consumer touchpoints and The digital age has understand who visits quick- complexity to the market increased the amount service restaurants in the areas landscape,” Hubert Marchand, where Burger King have their ADA’s country director for of time people spend outlets. Cambodia, told The Post. “We then ran our media In Cambodia, Facebook is almost synonymous with the internet. SUPPLIED ADA, a subsidiary of consuming content campaign specifi- Axiata Group Bhd, collects cally in those areas to the internet, Marchand ac- “Cambodia is a growth consumer profiles from 375 Hubert marchand / ADA people with an af- knowledged that platforms like market for ADA, it’s such an million mobile phone users finity with food and TikTok and Pleng were rapidly exciting place with fast digital across nine markets inclusing – Since entering the local through technology growing – particularly among growth and amazing young Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, market in 2018, ADA to serve ads to those Cambodian millenials. talent,” said Marchand. Thailand, Philippines, Singa- Cambodia has already who hadn’t seen To reach the growing num- “Given the importance of pore, South Korea, Bangladesh secured the likes of them before. ber people from the mainland technology, we allocate about and Sri Lanka. Samsung, Starbucks and “In the end, 75 living in Cambodia, ADA a fifth of revenue to tech It uses these profiles to help Smart Axiata as clients. per cent of the has forged relationships with investments, and our head clients understand the con- With Samsung, people reached China’s ‘Big Three’ – Baidu, count consists of 20 per cent in sumer mindset when designing for example, it will remembered our ads, Tencent and Alibaba. engineering and data science. data-driven creative marketing study what kind of and we achieved a 12 ADA has aspirations of “Cambodia has a lot of strategies. content works best per cent increase in becoming a tech “unicorn” – a very young talent, and some- In Cambodia, where mobile when marketing for menu sales,” he said. privately held startup company times those individuals don’t phones outnumber people, a brand known for While Facebook has valued at more than $1 bil- realise this themselves, so ADA crafts consumer profiles its eagerly anticipated a dominant foothold on lion – and its country director we train our employees with from 4.8 million devices. product launches. the Cambodian market, said that emerging markets like skills like data science to be- However, rather than simply That will mean determin- with the word becoming Cambodia are a key factor in come marketers of the future,” relying on its database, which ing whether a particular almost synonymous with reaching that goal. he added. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 World Israelis fear Protesters welcome new charges in annexation Floyd killing but remain in streets will lead to S PROTESTERS welcomed on governors to “dominate the streets”. new charges brought on “We need law and order,” he re- more revolts Wednesday against Min- peated on Wednesday. MOST Israelis think their government’s neapolis officers in the Mattis ripped into Trump, calling plan to annex parts of the occupied West killingU of African American man him “the first president in my lifetime Bank will spark a Palestinian uprising George Floyd – but thousands still who does not try to unite the American but around half favour going ahead marched in cities across the country people – does not even pretend to try”. anyway, a poll showed on Wednesday. for a ninth straight night, chanting “Instead, he tries to divide us,” the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against racism and police brutality. retired Marine general said in a blis- has vowed to take steps towards annex- With a key demand met, demon- tering statement posted online by ation as soon as July 1, despite wide- strators nevertheless staged large The Atlantic. spread international condemnation. and mainly peaceful rallies calling Trump snapped back on Twit- The move forms part of a broader for deeper change in cities from New ter, calling Mattis “the world’s most peace plan published by the US, York to Los Angeles, hours after the overrated General”. although Washington has not pub- new indictments were announced. The US president has raised the licly backed Netanyahu’s timetable. Pressure on President Donald possibility of invoking the Insurrec- Fifty per cent of Israelis support annex- Trump mounted as his former Pen- tion Act to deploy active duty troops ation, half of them only with US support, tagon chief Jim Mattis launched a to quell unrest. according to a new poll published by the searing broadside, accusing the Re- But Mattis’ successor Mark Esper Israel Democracy Institute. publican leader of trying to “divide” said that option should only be used as Nearly 31 per cent oppose annexation, the US during the unrest. “a matter of last resort and only in the while the remainder were undecided. In Minnesota, prosecutors had ini- most urgent and dire of situations”. Despite the majority voicing sup- tially charged 44-year-old Derek Chau- “We are not in one of those situa- port for Netanyahu’s proposal, imple- vin – the white officer filmed kneeling tions now. I do not support invoking menting his plan would very likely on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine min- the Insurrection Act,” said the cur- lead to an uprising, according to 58 utes – with third-degree murder. rent defence secretary. per cent of Israelis surveyed. But they said on Wednesday they White House spokeswoman Kay- The most recent Palestinian upris- were upgrading the charge, roughly leigh McEnany said on Wednesday ing, known as the Second Intifada, akin to manslaughter, to second-de- Thousands of US protesters continued to march in cities across the country for a ninth that the act remains “a tool available” erupted in the early 2000s and includ- straight night, chanting against racism and police brutality. AFP gree murder, which does not involve to the president, who is facing a tough ed waves of suicide bombings and premeditation but carries stiffer and Washington delayed the start ago . . . it wasn’t until people started re-election battle in November. deadly Israeli responses. penalties. of their curfews by several hours marching on the streets and started “The president wants to protect On Monday, defence minister Ben- Chauvin’s three colleagues at the on Wednesday after looting and tearing things that people started to America’s streets,” McEnany said, ny Gantz ordered the army to speed scene of Floyd’s May 25 arrest for violence had subsided the previous pay attention.” describing the criticism from Mattis up “military preparedness ahead of allegedly seeking to buy cigarettes night, while Seattle scrapped its cur- A large group also protested at the as “a self-promotional stunt to ap- political steps on the agenda in the with a counterfeit bill are accused of few with immediate effect. US Capitol in Washington DC be- pease the DC elite”. Palestinian arena”. being complicit in the killing. “For those peacefully demonstrat- yond curfew. Trump meanwhile denied media re- The latest poll, which surveyed 771 Tou Thao, 34, J Alexander Kueng, 26, ing tonight, please know you can con- Thousands took to the streets in ports that he was rushed for his safety adults late last month, followed warn- and Thomas Lane, 37, were charged tinue to demonstrate,” tweeted Seattle both Hollywood and downtown Los to the White House bunker while pro- ings by neighbour Jordan and other with aiding and abetting second-de- mayor Jenny Durkan. “We want you to Angeles, where Mayor Eric Garcetti tests raged in the streets outside. countries against annexation. gree murder, and taken into custody. continue making your voice heard.” vowed to redirect $250 million to- “It was a false report,” Trump told The UN on Sunday said the move The arrest of all four officers has But several arrests were made in ward black community health and Fox News Radio, before saying that would breach international law and been a focus for tens of thousands New York after groups of protesters education from budgets including he did go into the secure area for “most likely trigger conflict and insta- of protesters who have marched the continued to march in Manhattan the police department. an “inspection” and only for a “tiny, bility” in the Palestinian territories. streets of dozens of US cities, often and Brooklyn after the city’s 8:00pm Floyd’s family, in a statement little, short period of time”. Annexation and the overall US peace defying curfews to condemn police curfew had passed. thanking protesters, called the ar- Reports of Trump taking shelter deal have been firmly rejected by Pales- brutality and demand racial justice. In Manhattan, protester Brian rests and new charges a “bittersweet sparked a wave of online mockery, tinian officials, who cut diplomatic ties Former president Barack Obama Clark earlier said the charges were moment” – and a “significant step which is believed to have contributed with Washington in 2017 after President applauded the “change in mindset” “a good start” but vowed demon- forward on the road to justice”. to his decision on Monday to make a Donald Trump recognised the contest- he sees among US citizens demand- strators would “exercise our right to They urged US citizens to contin- controversial visit to a partly dam- ed city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. ing racial justice. protest until every black person gets ue to “raise their voices for change aged church near the White House. Palestinian President Mahmoud He urged the nation to “take the the justice they deserve”. in peaceful ways”. Police violently dispersed mostly Abbas has on numerous occasions momentum that has been created as “It’s not enough,” added fellow While condemning Floyd’s death, peaceful crowds of protesters to threatened to cut all security ties with a society, as a country, and say ‘Let’s demonstrator Elijah B, who did not Trump has adopted a tough stance clear a path for Trump, and the Israel if annexation goes ahead while use this’ to finally have an impact”. give his last name. towards the protesters, saying they in- photo opportunity was widely con- trying to rally the international com- US cities including Los Angeles “This could have happened a week clude many “bad people” and calling demned. AFP munity to the Palestinian cause. AFP UK trial for Ibuprofen in Covid-19 patients initiated A NEW trial has been launched in the KCL’s Centre for Innovative Thera- – a symptom of Covid-19 – have agency’s experts were “looking into steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) UK to determine whether the inex- peutics director Mitul Mehta told found that some 80 per cent of ani- this to give further guidance”. products, including ibuprofen, for the pensive and readily available ibupro- the PA news agency: “If we can re- mals with the condition die, report- “In the meantime, we recommend alleviation of Covid-19 symptoms. fen may help alleviate severe breath- duce their symptoms at that stage ed PA. But when they are given this using rather paracetamol, and do “Consumer safety is our num- ing problems in Covid-19 patients. we have several benefits – we could special formulation of ibuprofen not use ibuprofen as a self-medica- ber one priority,” the spokesperson The trial, known as ‘Liberate’, is reduce the amount of time that this figure drops to 20 per cent. tion. That’s important,” he said. said, stressing that “Ibuprofen is a a joint effort between experts from someone spends in hospital. They In mid-March, the World Health Or- He added that if ibuprofen had well-established medicine that has Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Founda- might recover quicker and go home, ganisation (WHO) recommended that been “prescribed by the healthcare been used safely as a self-care fever tion Trust in London, King’s College that’s a fantastic outcome. people suffering Covid-19 symptoms professionals, then, of course, that’s and pain reducer, including in viral London (KCL) and the pharmaceu- “We also might be reducing the de- avoid taking ibuprofen, after French of- up to them”. illnesses, for more than 30 years”. tical organisation the SEEK Group, gree of respiratory distress so that it ficials warned that anti-inflammatory His comments came after Veran “We do not currently believe there reported Reuters. It will be a ran- can be managed in the hospital set- drugs could worsen effects of the virus. sent a tweet cautioning that the use is any proven scientific evidence domised study with up to 230 pa- ting, without needing to go to ICU. The warning by French Minister of of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflam- linking over-the-counter use of ibu- tients scheduled to be recruited over And that is a fantastic outcome as well Social Affairs and Health Olivier Ve- matory drugs could be “an aggravat- profen to the aggravation of Covid- the coming months. . . . Theoretically, this treatment, given ran followed a study in The Lancet ing factor” in Covid-19 infections. 19,” said the statement. It involves a special ibuprofen for- at this time, should be beneficial. medical journal that hypothesised “In the case of fever, take parac- The spokesperson said Reckitt Benck- mulation – already licensed for use in “But of course, this is based on that an enzyme boosted by anti- etamol,” he said. iser was “engaging with the WHO, EMA Britain for other conditions – which animal studies. It’s based on case re- inflammatory drugs such as ibu- A spokesperson for British pharma- [the European Medicines Agency] and experts hope will reduce potential ports, we need to do a trial to show profen could facilitate and worsen ceutical company Reckitt Benckiser other local health authorities” on the is- gastric side effects linked to ibupro- that the evidence matches what we Covid-19 infections. Group Plc, which makes Nurofen, said sue and would provide “any additional fen. These effects meant that parac- expect to happen,” he said. Asked about the study, WHO in an email statement that the com- information or guidance necessary for etamol was the better drug to relieve Mehta said animal studies into spokesman Christian Lindmeier told pany was aware of concerns raised the safe use of our products following early-stage Covid-19 symptoms. acute respiratory distress syndrome reporters in Geneva the UN health about “the use of steroids and non- any such evaluation”. AFP 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN ASEAN Philippine House passes anti-terror bill in-person HE House of Representatives dangerous,” she added. on Wednesday passed the An- Commission on Human Rights ti-Terrorism Act of 2020 by a spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia summit vote of 173-31, with 29 absten- warned that the prolonged detention tions.T The approved version was a vir- of suspects without a judicial warrant, tual copy of Senate Bill No 1083, which “may result [in] cruel, inhuman, and proposed the upper chamber passed in February. degrading treatment or torture”. The House leadership had refused National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers AS THIS year’s ASEAN chair, during the bill’s second reading on president Edre Olalia, who said his Vietnam has proposed for the Tuesday proposed amendments group would challenge the bill’s “consti- regional bloc to hold a physical meant to address its “unconstitution- tutionality” before the high court should summit later this month de- al provisions”. it pass into law, said the “draconian” spite the Covid-19 pandemic, a “We have to regretfully decline any measure stripped Filipinos of their free- senior official from the Indone- proposal for amendments at this dom of speech and association. sian foreign ministry has said. time,” said one of the bill’s sponsors, Amnesty International Philippines Should the face-to-face meet- Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Repre- said the proposed bill “dispropor- ing be realised for the 36th ASE- sentative Jericho Nograles, who said tionately restricts human rights in the AN Summit – instead of a virtu- he was instructed by House public name of security”. al one – it is expected to be held order committee chair Masbate Rep- The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Hu- on June 27 and 28 in Danang, a resentative Narciso Bravo Jr “to pass man Rights meanwhile described the coastal city in the southeastern the bill without amendments”. bill as “extremely concerning”, as it could part of Vietnam, said the minis- House human rights panel chair be weaponised by the administration. try’s director-general for ASEAN and Quezon City Representative Jesus Senate president Vicente Sotto III, cooperation Jose Tavares. Suntay cited several provisions that however, assured government critics Scheduled for the two-day he said were “in violation of the Bill of that the anti-terror bill “has more than summit are the ASEAN Sum- Rights”, including Section 29 that al- enough safeguards” against abuses. mit Plenary Session, the ASE- lows warrantless arrests, and another The bill amends and repeals the Human Security Act, and seeks to impose tougher penal- At the Malacanang Presidential Palace, AN Leaders’ Retreat, the ASE- provision that extends the number of ties, including life imprisonment, on anyone who will participate in, conspire with, or incite presidential spokesperson Harry Roque AN Leaders’ Interface with the others in the planning or facilitation of a terrorist attack. p days a suspect can be detained with- described as “unfounded fear” the con- ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary out a warrant from three days to 14 Wednesday questioned the intent and provisions in the bill focus on expand- cerns that critics of the administration Assembly, ASEAN Leaders’ In- days, extendable by another 10 days. timing of the bill, saying that some of ing the definition of a terrorist and would be red-tagged and that police terface with Representatives of The bill amends and repeals the its provisions may be used to further on lessening the checks and balances would abuse its power to arrest individ- the ASEAN Business Advisory Human Security Act, and seeks to im- crackdown on dissent and free speech. against wrongful arrest, provisions uals supporting civil organisations. Council and the ASEAN Lead- pose tougher penalties, including life The measure, certified urgent by that “cause a lot of fear”, said Robredo. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ers’ Interface Session on Wom- imprisonment, on anyone who will President Rodrigo Duterte, does not “Especially in the hands of people meanwhile maintained that the mea- en’s Empowerment. participate in, conspire with, or incite address the more pressing needs of who have no qualms about using sure was needed now “because the On the ministerial level, others in the planning or facilitation the country amid the Covid-19 pan- disinformation, inventing evidence, threat that terrorists [would] take ad- the agenda includes sessions of a terrorist attack. demic, she said. or finding the smallest of pretexts to vantage of the pandemic is very great”. for the ASEAN Coordinating Vice-President Leni Robredo on The vice-president noted that several silence its critics – this power is very PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Council, ASEAN Political-Se- curity Community Council, ASEAN Economic Communi- ty Council and ASEAN Socio- Cultural Community Council. Compared to other ASEAN British pilot patient in VN safely off life support countries, Vietnam has a rela- tively low Covid-19 infection VIETNAM’S most critically tors have gradually lowered morning, where the patient is mains quite serious and will Hospital’s doctors said. rate, with 328 confirmed cases ill Covid-19 patient, a British his extracorporeal membrane being given intensive care af- still be closely monitored, es- His cough reflexes and kid- and zero deaths. pilot, came off life support on oxygenation (ECMO) settings, ter being declared free of the pecially in terms of his lung in- ney functions have also im- “The discussion on how to Wednesday morning, health a system that acts as an artifi- coronavirus following treat- fections and drug resistance. proved. execute the summit is still officials announced. cial heart-lung system, to the ment at Ho Chi Minh City “The patient will need sev- Physical therapy sessions ongoing, whether to be held Luong Ngoc Khue, deputy point where they deemed it Hospital for Tropical Diseases, eral weeks to be completely will continue to improve his [virtually] through video con- head of treatment sub-com- safe to switch off the machine the patient is fully awake and independent of life support muscle functions and doc- ference or face-to-face. There mittee of the National Steer- this morning. conscious after nearly two and gradually restore his mo- tors will pay more attention are mixed views about it, espe- ing Committee on Covid-19 The purpose of putting such months in an induced coma. tor functions,” said Khue. to his diet and nutrition to cially amid the Covid-19 pan- Prevention and Control, said a patient on ECMO is to give He is now capable of holding In the coming days, the pa- suit his needs in the recov- demic,” Jose said in a virtual the condition of 43-year-old the lungs and heart a chance a cup to drink, nod, smile and tient will continue to be treated ery phase. press briefing on Wednesday. Stephen Cameron has made to recover, as well as to reduce shake hands with doctors and with anti-bacterial medicines Earlier, during treatment “The decision would come considerable improvements the risk of lung damage and nurses taking care of him. to fight off bacterial infections. for Covid-19, doctors at Ho in a couple of days.” despite a lung transplant a oxygen poisoning. Khue noted that while the However, the bacterial Chi Minh City Hospital for The pandemic has interfered likely recourse just days ago. In a video released by Cho patient was off ECMO at the load in the patient’s body Tropical Diseases said the with diplomatic affairs and for- In the past two days, doc- Ray Hospital on Wednesday moment, his condition re- has greatly reduced, Cho Ray patient had suffered from the ays, causing major bilateral or cytokine storm syndrome, in multilateral agendas to be post- which the immune system’s poned or changed in terms of response to the virus caused how they are usually presented. harm to his organs. Within ASEAN, for instance, The Ministry of Health said officials of Southeast Asian the British Consulate in Ho countries had been actively Chi Minh City recently re- engaging in dozens of meet- quested to visit the patient ings through video confer- over the next few days. ences, said Jose. On Thursday, the treatment “Some agendas that are re- sub-committee will hold the lated to capacity building or fourth telemedicine consul- training, for instance, were can- tation with leading doctors celled. However, many agendas and experts to discuss the that are related to negotiation next stages of treatment. are still ongoing,” he added. Representatives of Cho Ray When asked about the pos- and Ho Chi Minh City Hospi- sibility of Vietnam extend- tal for Tropical Diseases also ing its chairmanship due to expect to have a meeting with the pandemic, Jose said that his insurer in the UK regard- ASEAN member states had ing his medical bills. neither discussed the matter Vietnam waives the hospi- nor had there been a pro- tal and treatment fees for all posal from Hanoi regarding confirmed Vietnamese coro- the extension of the country’s navirus patients, but foreign chairmanship until next year. patients treated here will Foreign ministry spokesman have to pay. Teuku Faizasyah said Indonesia As of Wednesday, Vietnam has always pushed for ASEAN has gone 49 days without any and other multilateral organi- new domestic Covid-19 trans- sations to keep the diplomatic mission cases. The country’s affairs in check despite the total caseload currently stands travel limitations caused by the at 328, out of which, 302 have pandemic, and one way was to recovered and no deaths have encourage the scheduling of been reported. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA virtual meetings and negotia- NEWS NETWORK tions. THE JAKARTA POST/ANN THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Opinion

Protect Japan economy fromwww.phnompenhpost.com deflation www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL est-free and no-collateral Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Opinion Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng loans to small and midsize Editorial Ly Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief companies. It also increased Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua Purushotman HERE is growing the amount of employment Joshua Purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer concern about the adjustment subsidies to com- Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Japanese economy panies that did not fire work- Deputy Chief of Staff returning to defla- Sam Rith ers but put them on leave. Phak Seangly tion.T The government and Deputy Chief of Staff However, due to complicat- Business Editor Phak Seangly the Bank of Japan should ed procedures and conges- May Kunmakara Business Editor closely watch price trends tion at the relevant offices, Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara and implement appropriate the provision of cash benefits Sangeetha Amarthalingam Deputy Business Editor policy management. and loans has been delayed. Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Sorn Sarath The April consumer price The government should do Pan Simala index, excluding perishable Deputy Head of Lifestyleits Desk utmost to ensure that Senior Reporters foods, fell 0.2 per cent from a Pan Simala these measures are effective Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng year earlier. This was the first Senior Reporters as soon as possible. Reporters time the index fell in three Meas Sokchea, Niem ChhengThe central bank has estab- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long years and four months. Reporters lished a new programme Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, Soth Crude oil prices plummet- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kimworth Sarom, ¥30 Long trillion ($275 bil- Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung ed due to a drop in global Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hinlion) Pisei, Sothto provide funds to Sovanny, Thou Vireak, Ry Sochan demand caused by the financial institutions that Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers spread of the new coronavi- extend loans to small and Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea rus, leading to lower petrol midsize firms. It also plans to Web Editor Ry Sochan and electricity costs. Fees for apply interest rates to current Leang Phannara Photographers accommodation and pack- accounts that financial insti- Webmasters age tours abroad, among People walk along a shopping precinct in Tokyo’s Ueno district in March. People tend to think Hengthat Chivoan,lower Hong Meneatutions hold at the central Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea prices are better for their lives, but lower prices have a bigger negative impact on the overall economy. afp other items, also fell due to Web Editor bank, depending on their SIEM REAP BUREAU requests for refraining from Leang Phannara outstanding balance. The Offi ce Manager going out and restrictions on prices have a bigger negative ened after the collapse of their companiesWebmasters going bank- programme will give merit to Sophearith Blondeel travel overseas. impact on the overall econo- Lehman Brothers in 2008. It rupt or for otherSous reasons Chanthy, are Pang Vicheafinancial institutions that use PRODUCTION & PRINTING Although economic activi- my. It is necessary to be on was stipulated in the govern- reluctant to buy SIEMproducts REAP BUREAU it, and provide them with Head of Desktop Publishing ties are resuming, the recovery guard against deflation. ment’s monthly economic because of theirOffi reduced ce Manager support. It is hoped that the Nhim Sokphyrak of demand in the service Consumers think that report in November 2009. But incomes. If the numberSophearith ofBlondeel central bank will consider Desktop Publishing industry, such as for accom- “prices will continue to drop” the government judged that unemployed people soars due expanding the programme. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTING modation and eating out, is and postpone purchases. the domestic economy was to a series of bankruptcies of In the long run, Japan’s Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing expected to take some time. Products do not sell and pro- “not in a deflationary state” small and midsize companies, growth strategy to draw out Nhim Sokphyrak The central bank estimates the duction decreases. Compa- in December 2013 after that would put downward the vigor of the private sector HEAD OFFICE inflation rate will be in nega- nies’ performance deterio- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pressure on prices.Desktop It is Publishing impor- is indispensable. It is desirable tive territory in fiscal 2020. rates and workers’ wages fall. launched his second Cabinet. tant to support financingSuon Savatdy, Chumfor Sokunthy,to shore Danh Borath up prices by encour- Deflation is a continuous If such a negative chain reac- Returning to deflation small and midsizeTep Thoeunfirms. Thyda, Tim Borith,aging Than Veasna the creation of services decline in the prices of goods tion takes place, it will be dif- should be avoided. As part of its economic and technological innovation Post Media Co, Ltd. and services. People tend to ficult to break out of it. The important thing is to measures, the government HEAD OFFICE that support a “new way of The Elements Condominium Level 7, think that lower prices are Deflation in Japan started protect employment. Those has begun to provide cash life”. THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN) / Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, better for their lives, but lower in the late 1990s and wors- who have lost their jobs due to benefits and virtually inter- ASIA NEWS NETWORK Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Post Media Co, Ltd. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 The Elements Condominium Level 7, Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, SIEM REAP Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Phnom Penh, No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Talk of nuclear tests aims to sparkCambodia arms race Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 SIEM REAP It may just be a negotiation gimmick staying true to its arms control commit- President George W Bush withdrew moves. Not to mention the very nega- COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune on the part of the US administration’s ments is probably viewed as being syn- from the first in 2001. The current tive example the US move sets for Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 national defence hawks, who fancy onymous with American weakness. administration has already killed the nuclear non-proliferation worldwide. James Ong Soon Teck dragging China into what they wish Thus it has withdrawn the US from second, and is apparently on its COMMERCIAL way DEPARTMENTConsidering China’s long-standing Advertising Department would be a trilateral nuclear arms the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and to nullifying the third. Chief Operatingstrategy Offi cer of using nuclear weapons as Chap Narith, 017 996 241 control regime. the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear If, with those three pillars gone,James the Ong Soona deterrent, Teck as well as its high-profile Hun Channet, 017 578 768 Prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 It may simply be meant to put Forces Treaty, and “unsigned” the White House reactivated explosiveAdvertising Departmentcommitment to peace, it is unlikely Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 Washington in a more favourable Arms Trade Treaty. 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Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 archrival Russia. ty, an important mutual verification nuclear arms race, reduce decadesPrach of Monnyreak, But 012 since 123 7777 the current US adminis- CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION However, that the White House is arrangement that facilitates military international nuclear arms control CIRCULATION tration & DISTRIBUTION views undermining global Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager even considering reviving explosive mutual trust, and not extending the endeavours to zero, and create a strategic stability as a means to Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Thenh Rithy nuclear tests, after a 28-year moratori- New Start pact, which limits US and greater existential threat to humanity “make America great again”, it is like- Circulation Supervisor um, is an indication that a new nucle- Russian nuclear arsenals. as a whole. ADMINISTRATIONly that rather than contribute more to Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 ar arms race could be in the offing. It is generally believed that global Moscow has announced plans Adminto & HR Managernuclear disarmament and the non- Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 The current US administration has nuclear arms control has three pillars: develop new nuclear weapons inPich Socheat proliferation regime, it will continue ADMINISTRATION assumed a predominantly disruptive the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti- response to Washington’s recent Assistants to toAdmin threaten & HR Manager to use nuclear weapons Admin & HR Manager role when it comes to global governance. Ballistic Missile System, the Intermedi- threats. If the US administration’sNhel talk Soaphea in an ever-expanding range of sce- Pich Socheat According to the White House’s ate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and of nuclear tests translates into an actu- narios, and thus increase the risk of Financial Director Assistants to Admin & HR Manager understanding of American “greatness” the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. al move one day, there certainly will be their use by itself or others. CHINA DAILY/ Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea and its approach to regaining it, the US The administration of former US an escalation in Russian counter- ASIA NEWS NETWORK 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, Huy Hamsovannary Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US newsroom@phnompenhpost.com 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. 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Angkea Dei Restaurant was established to serve up traditional home-style foods and soups. supplied Grilled prahok on chopping board is a signature dish. supplied Siem Reap bistro’s home-style cuisine shines

Hong Raksmey won an international competition with the US, Canada, Switzerland and Thai- OUNDED fresh shrimp, fish land. Cambodia won a gold medal and head sour soup, grilled fish they recognised it as ours,” he says. paste, pomelo salad, neem From then on, he says any country leaf salad, frog amok, Siem that gets amok in their lucky draw ReapP teuk kroeung and giant taro at any international competition is sour soup are very common in most recommended to learn from Cam- households in Cambodia. bodia, where it originates from. This is why Angkea Dei Restaurant Bunhor, who is also president of the was established earlier this year. Cambodia Chef Association (CCA), It serves traditional food for those has been leading Cambodian chefs who wish to enjoy together as fami- and introduced Cambodian tradi- lies, friends and co-workers. tional food in international competi- Long Bunhor (pictured), who owns tions since 2012. They returned with Angkea Dei Restaurant, tells The Post many prizes and medals. that “we focus on daily food that “For frog amok, I won a gold medal Cambodian people have at home. and a gold prize in 2014. For guava The approximate 20,000 riel [$5] per salad, I won a silver medal the same person is not expensive since the av- year,” says Bunhor. erage dish costs only 18,000 riel”. Angkea Dei Restaurant reopened The menu is not completed as it on June 1 after closing its doors for can be pretty exhaustive and most two months due to the pandem- homemakers know how to prepare ic. Its co-owner Chea Viravann them. However, there are some local says the restaurant adheres to foods that many Cambodians have safety guidelines of the Min- not seen or tasted. istry of Health to prevent the “Fish head stuffed with ingredients spread of Covid-19. is a rare dish that many restaurants Angkea Dei Restaurant do not list on their menu. Its ingredi- Head chef and owner Long Bunhor (below) specialises in dishes like this fermented fish with vegetables. supplied is located on Tolaka road ents are fish head, minced pork, glass in Chonlong village, Sala noodle, soybean and fish belly. At the restaurant, angkea dei trees conditions,” he says. genocidal Khmer Rouge Kamroeuk commune, “Roasted pest fish on chopping and other fresh vegetable plants not Bunhor says despite the restau- regime, the giant taro Siem Reap town. For board is uncommon since pest fish, only provide ample shade for park- rant’s classy look that matches that sour soup and small fish more information, pork, Java Cola, thyme are minced and ing but also as supplies for the main of a luxury hotel, its food is served soup, were the few food visit its Facebook page: roasted on a chopping board. Pickle kitchen. at reasonable prices that suit even items they could afford. https://www.facebook. seedy banana with beef sausage and The ground floor of the restau- average-income families. “If we don’t breathe com/siemreaprestau- dried beef is rarely seen,” says Bunhor. rant, which can accommodate up to Mixed vegetable soup (samlor ka- new life into our tradition- rantangkeadey/ or con- Grilled fish paste (prahok) on chop- 50 people, is decorated with oxcart kor), angkea dei soup and roasted cat- al food, it will be forgotten tact number 012 ping board was inspired by how ru- wheels hanging down from the ceil- fish with ripe tamarind are among the and eventually disappear. 576 805. ral people always do it. They minced ing. There are three VIP rooms for most popular dishes at Angkea Dei. Our younger genera- fermented fish paste on a chopping family dining and lunch meetings. “Other restaurants have simple local tions will not know board, and Bunhor had it mixed with The first floor can serve up to 300 food on their menu and just decorate about them. other ingredients to arrive at a better people, which suits the convenience it with flowers to make it look great. “Amok, for taste that is slightly different from the of customers who wish to hold an But for food like roasted catfish with example, was traditional dish. event and enjoy services inspired by ripe tamarind, Angkea Dei uses side claimed by “People grilled fish paste wrapped those provided in luxury hotels. vegetables as a garnish,” he says. another na- in banana leaves which they take Rida Khong, his wife, and daughter Bunhor not only digs up traditional tion as its to the rice field. Then they eat on a sat for lunch at the restaurant dur- Cambodian food which he brings own, causing farm dyke together,” he says. ing a weekend retreat. They chose to back to life, but he also adds more controversy Angkea dei, or Sesbania grandiflo- have their usual daily food outdoors uncommon ra, commonly known as a vegetable after exploring the Bakheng Temple. dishes in the hummingbird, is a plant that Bun- “We ordered mixed vegetable soup menu. The hor loved eating when he was young and roasted catfish with fresh water- idea, he and what his mother cooked as a melon as our dessert. The food here says, is soup to cure his flu. is good. Many dishes are the same to remind “When I was 14, I had a cold. My as daily food in every Cambodian people of the mother made soup with angkea dei household,” says Khong. difficult time when they had barely for me, saying it could cure me. Of “They are not different from food anything to feed themselves with. course, it relieved the symptoms. in rural areas, but just look more at- “Some food that we have dug up or I believe that angkea dei provides tractive with a garnish. Angkea Dei is rarely seen in daily life brings back and discontent more health benefits than our regu- provides a good environment and memories for our customers. Some among Cambo- lar daily food,” says Bunhor. delicious food prepared in hygienic told us that after the collapse of the dians until we THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Lifestyle Italy thirsts for tourists Thinking caps as it reopens to Europe

Gondolas are ready to punt along Venice’s canals. AFP

TALY reopened to trav- With the country facing its car, train or ferry from neigh- ellers from Europe deepest recession since World bouring countries would go on Wednesday, three War II, it needs foreign tourists elsewhere on their holidays. months after the coun- to return, and quickly. Switzerland has warned its Itry went into coronavirus But it is still reporting hun- citizens that if they go to Italy lockdown, but few arrivals dreds of new cases a day, par- they will be subject to “health dimmed hopes of reviving the ticularly in the northern Lom- measures” on their return. The key tourism industry as the bardy region, and experts warn country will open its borders summer season begins. that the government may be with Germany, France and “HI, NEIGHBOR” Gondolas are ready to punt moving too quickly in permit- Austria on June 15, but not along Venice’s canals, lovers ting travel between regions with Italy. ACROSS 59 Coming ___ (theatrical teaser) 27 Muckraker Tarbell can act out “Romeo and Juliet” and abroad. Austria is lifting restrictions 1 Quite green 61 Anger with rage 29 Change for the better on Verona’s famed balcony, Infectious diseases expert at its land borders from Thurs- 6 Tokyo immigrant to the U.S. 62 It’s said to be wise 30 Volcano in Sicily and gladiator fans have the Massimo Galli said it would day – but again, not with Italy, 11 Start for way or wife 63 Jerry Seinfeld’s neighbor 31 Coat with plaster chance to pose for selfies at have been better to wait until described last week by Vienna’s 14 Mindless 66 Actor Kilmer 32 Basilica area Rome’s Colosseum. July to reopen the borders. health minister as “still a 15 Celebrated 67 Woodworker’s application 33 Finished hang-gliding But there were fears many The virus “smoulders under hotspot”. 16 “Without further ___ ...” 68 Act over the top? 34 Music City, USA foreign tourists are being put the ashes, and when it finds Other countries, such as Bel- 17 Homer Simpson’s neighbor 69 “___ of the Tiger” 38 Ale holder 70 Borders on 40 Rude fools off coming to a country still the ideal conditions, it gium and Britain, are still 19 Sodom survivor 71 Former Israeli prime minister 43 Winner’s take? shaking off a vicious pandem- explodes. Even more so if we advising against, or forbid- 20 Producer of a colorful ring tone 21 Having great value DOWN 44 “Do the Right Thing” pizzeria ic. lower our guard”, he said ding, all non-essential travel 22 Curly cabbage 1 Chianti and Bardolino owner “We hoped to see some Wednesday. abroad. 23 “___ Ace” (Burt Reynolds film) 2 Incompetent 46 Mammoth feature movement from today, but In response to perceived 3 Detection device 47 D.C. lawmaker ‘Like a leper’ 25 Water nymph have no foreign tourists anti-Italian sentiment, Min- 28 The Rubbles’ neighbors 4 Receivables 50 Capital of the Bahamas booked in for this week or International flights into ister of Foreign Affairs Luigi 32 Bert’s twin 5 Marina ___ Rey, Calif. 51 Drag through the mud next,” said Alessandra Conti, a Milan, Rome and Naples Di Maio has warned coun- 35 Wagon puller 6 Homunculus, say 54 I heard it through the grapevine receptionist at the Albergo del increased, with a few also tries not to treat Italy “like a 36 Word in two state names 7 Concession offering 55 Mountain ridge Senato hotel which overlooks coming into smaller, regional leper”. 37 “___, poor Yorick!” 8 Breastbones 56 Harps’ forerunners 9 Always, in poetry 57 Cabot ___ (“Murder, She Wrote” the Pantheon in Rome. airports. He said on Saturday he 39 Honker 10 They are displayed for alcohol town) “We’ve got a few reservations German Regina Oswald, 53, would be travelling to Ger- 41 Aborigine of Japan 42 Broad panoramas 11 Clumsy 58 Christmas carol start from mid-June . . . [but] are still was one of the very few foreign many, Slovenia and Greece to 45 Cocktail party munchies 12 Matinee hero 60 Leave out getting lots of cancellations for tourists to be spotted in Ven- persuade them Italy is safe for 48 Key that indents 13 Shower with love 63 Civil War initials this summer”. ice’s Saint Mark’s Square. foreign tourists, and was set to 49 The Ricardos’ neighbors 18 “Rolling in the Deep” singer 64 A place to play the ponies from “It’s fantastic to see Venice meet his French counterpart 52 Luxurious country house 22 Creator of Gregor Samsa afar ‘Smouldering’ virus without a lot of people, it’s the Jean-Yves Le Drian later on 53 Final rite 24 Caboodle’s companion 65 Iron-pumper’s unit Italy was the first European one time in my life I can enjoy Wednesday in Rome. 57 Superman portrayer Dean 26 “Then what?” country to be hit hard by the it like this,” said Oswald, who coronavirus and has officially arrived early on Wednesday for ‘Scared’ Thursday’s solution reported more than 33,600 a three-day stay. Italy’s lockdown has had a deaths – the third highest toll “I am worried about the particularly devastating effect in the world. virus, but I will take precau- on the tourism sector, which It imposed an economically tions”, she said, such as always amounts to some 13 per cent crippling lockdown early in eating at outdoor tables at res- of gross domestic product March and has since seen its taurants. (GDP). infection numbers drop off There were concerns that Only 40 of Rome’s 1,200 dramatically. those who usually come in by hotels have reopened, the Cor- riere della Sera newspaper said, and just a dozen in Milan. Restaurants, cafes and beach establishments have slowly reopened over the past two weeks – although the govern- Thursday’s solution ment has said it reserves the right to impose localised lock- downs if it sees contagion numbers rise. “Who’s going to come? No one from South America, Chi- na or the US and the Europe- ans will be scared,” said Mim- mo Burgio, 62, owner of a cafe near Rome’s Colosseum. “We’re pinning all our hopes on Italian tourists, but . . . I’m Restaurants, cafes and beach establishments in Italy have slowly afraid they’ll go to the seaside reopened over the past two weeks. AFP instead.” AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 5, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Backlash as Saints star Drew Brees criticises NFL kneeling protests EW Orleans Saints Brees however told Yahoo on “To speak about your grand- quarterback Drew Wednesday that he remained fathers as if there weren’t Brees sparked a fu- firmly opposed to the protests. black men fighting next to rious backlash as “I will never agree with any- them,” the McCourtys wrote Nhe refused to support renewed body disrespecting the flag of on Twitter. “Those men later National Football League (NFL) the United States of America returned to a country that kneeling protests on Wednes- or our country,” Brees said hated them. Don’t avoid the day, saying to do so would be when asked about the possi- issue and try to make it about “disrespecting” the US flag. bility of protests. a flag or the military.” As a wave of demonstra- “When I look at the flag of Green Bay Packers quar- tions against police brutal- the United States, I envision terback Aaron Rodgers didn’t ity and racism sweeps across my two grandfathers, who mention Brees by name, but the US, many athletes have fought for this country during stated bluntly in a post on In- voiced support for former World War II, one in the Army stagram: “It has NEVER been NFL star Colin Kaepernick, and one in the Marine Corp. about an anthem or a flag. who ignited controversy in “Is everything right with our Not then. Not now.” 2016 by kneeling during the country right now? No, it is not. “Listen with an open heart, US national anthem. We still have a long way to go. let’s educate ourselves, and Former San Francisco 49ers “But I think what you do by then turn word and thought star Kaepernick, who said he standing there and showing into action.” was trying to draw attention respect to the flag with your The criticism also included to racial injustice, was later hand over your heart, is it barbs from two of Brees’s frozen out of the league and shows unity.” teammates. has been unemployed since “He don’t know no better,” being released in 2017. ‘Hurtful and insensitive’ Saints wide receiver Michael President Donald Trump Brees’s remarks drew an an- Thomas wrote on Twitter. “We would later describe Kaeper- gry response from fellow ath- don’t care if you don’t agree and nick and other players who letes, both inside and outside whoever else how about that.” kneeled during the anthem as the NFL, with many accusing Saints safety Malcolm Jen- “sons of bitches” who should him of misunderstanding the kins, who has been called the be fired. nature of Kaepernick’s protest. new face of the NFL protests, Although the kneeling con- NBA superstar LeBron James described Brees as “self-cen- troversy has largely subsided led the criticism, writing on tred” in an emotional rebuke in recent NFL seasons, the is- Twitter: “WOW MAN!! You lit- posted on social media. sue of player activism has re- erally still don’t understand “Drew Brees if you don’t un- New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is coming under fire from players and teammates for remarks he made about refusing to support renewed NFL player protests. AFP turned following the US pro- why Kap was kneeling on one derstand how hurtful and in- tests triggered by the death in knee?? Has absolute nothing sensitive your comments are attle Seahawks coach Pete “I think that there was a mo- said Carroll. police custody last week of an to do with the disrespect of the then you are part of the prob- Carroll heaped praise on the ment in time that a young man “We’re not protecting our unarmed African-American (flag)_and our soldiers.” lem . . . I am disappointed, I am role played by Kaepernick. captured,” Carroll told The people. We’re not looking af- man in Minneapolis. The New England Patriots’ hurt. Even though we are team- Carroll said society “owes Ringer’s Flying Coach podcast. ter one another. We’re not It has led to speculation that Super Bowl-winning twins mates, I can’t let this slide,” said a tremendous amount” to “He stood up for something making the right choices. more players may opt to “take Devin and Jason McCourty Jenkins, who signed with the Kaepernick for taking a stand he believed in – and what an “So I think it was a big sacrifice a knee” during the upcoming branded Brees’s comments “a Saints two months ago. against police brutality and extraordinary moment it was . . . and we owe a tremendous NFL season. disgrace”. Brees’ remarks came as Se- racial injustice. that he was willing to take,” amount to him for sure.” AFP All Black legend Carter in shock Super Rugby comeback TWO-time All Blacks World Cup winner Blues head coach Leon MacDonald Former All Blacks Aaron Smith tweeted: “The goat deal with Kobe Steelers in 2018. Dan Carter (pictured) announced a said Carter signed a short-term deal coach Graham Hen- [greatest of all time] is back in The South Island native already has shock Super Rugby comeback with as cover for injured fullback Stephen ry had no doubt Super rugby!” three Super Rugby titles from his Auckland Blues on Thursday at the age Perofeta. He joins a squad already Carter still had 13-year stint with the Canterbury of 38, saying he realised during corona- containing Beauden Barrett, his suc- the ability to play Thumbs-up from nanna Crusaders and remains the competi- virus lockdown how much he missed cessor as All Blacks playmaker. at the top level, MacDonald indicated Cart- tion’s top points-scorer with 1,708. the game. As a replacement player, despite his age. er would be behind Barrett Often described as the best fly- Carter, a three-time world player of Carter will reportedly be “It’s marvel- and rising star Otare Black in ha lf to play t he ga me, Ca r ter revea led the year, has been a free agent since on a minimum con- lous, he’ll add a the pecking order. in his autobiography that he turned returning to New Zealand in March tract worth NZ$1,800 huge amount of “If he gets back into playing down an approach from the Blues from Japan, where a virus-en- (US$1,155) a week, experience but form that warrants selection, in 2009 after his Crusaders-support- forced shutdown ended his lucra- a huge cut from the he’s also been play- then he could help us as a ing grandmother Pam Carter tive stint with Kobe Steelers. millions he earned ing very well in Japan,” utility back in midfield or opposed the move. “Two things from the lock- playing club rugby Henry told Radio New fullback,” he said. However, nanna Carter said on down that I realised was that I in France and Zealand. Carter played the Thursday that she had no problems really enjoyed spending more Japan. All Blacks half- first of his 112 Tests with the latest deal and would sup- time with my family and that I “It definitely not back a nd for mer for the All Blacks in port the Blues over the Crusaders miss rugby,” said Carter. about money, he’s teammate 2003, scored a record when her grandson was playing for “For me it is a chance to mentor 1,598 points during the Aucklanders. some young players and to give back his international She told stuff.co.nz: “I don’t care to New Zealand rugby.” not getting rich career and was the where he plays as long as he plays . . . The signing comes as New Zealand’s doing it,” said world player of the I miss him playing. I’m thrilled. I Super Rugby teams prepare to start a MacDonald. year in 2005, 2012 heard it on the news this morning domestic tournament next week, after As the Blues already and 2015. and I thought ‘Good on you Dan’.” Covid-19 halted the southern hemi- have Barrett – himself a He played for The Blues claimed the last of their sphere championship in March. two-time world player of French club Racing three Super Rugby titles in 2003 and Carter has not played in his home- the year – Carter may fill the 92 after retiring have not made the playoffs since 2011. land since his international retire- role of supersub off the bench. from Test rugby fol- Once regarded as a regional pow- ment in 2015, when he helped the All “I have not played for several lowing the 2015 erhouse, they have been the worst Blacks seal back-to-back World Cup months so it will take me a little bit World Cup, before performing New Zealand Super Rug- titles at Twickenham. of time to get game-ready,” he said. signing a two-year by team since 2014. AFP