monday, March 22, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3631 / 4000 RIEL Officials: Nobody immune from Covid

Mom Kunthear had contracted the novel coronavirus. ventive health measures to reduce said that since February 20 – when The country is at a critical stage in its In a Facebook post accompanied the spread of Covid-19 and break off the first 32 local transmission cases fight against Covid-19, but we have ODAY marks one month by photos of a six-year-old boy and a the chain of transmission as soon as were reported in Phnom Penh fol- a window of opportunity to stop the since the February 20 com- four-year-old girl who were brought possible,” she said. lowing a breach of quarantine – 446 virus from spreading if we all act to- munity outbreak of Covid- to hospital for treatment, Sour said: Health minister Mam Bun Heng out of the total 1,162 patients had gether in solidarity,” she said. 19, which had infected 1,162 “According to [Royal Cambodian said the Covid-19 situation in Cam- recovered and been discharged Li said vaccines will help reduce peopleT including children as young Armed Forces deputy commander- bodia remained serious and public from hospital. hospitalisations but will not end the as two months old and claimed in-chief] Hun Manet . . . a working participation would determine the World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic or put an end to the cur- three lives as of March 21. group has prepared [halal] food for course of the outbreak. representative to Cambodia Dr Li rent outbreak. Ministry of Labour and Vocational our Muslim [patients].” “We must all accelerate our efforts Ailan said the recent tragic deaths Prime Minister Hun Sen has also Training spokesman Heng Sour, who Ministry of Health spokeswoman to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the due to Covid-19 should serve as re- reminded everyone to protect them- is also chairman of the ministry’s Or Vandine reiterated that no one coming days and weeks. Lives de- minders to everyone about the seri- selves against Covid-19 even if they Covid-19 vaccination committee – was immune from Covid-19. pend on it,” he said. ousness of the disease. said at least 24 children and toddlers “Now we all have to carry out pre- On a positive note, Bun Heng “It can infect anyone at any time. Continued – page 3 Tax revenue from casino sector drops

May Kunmakara nity to secretly run online money extortion scams. TAX revenue from Cambo- The prime minister noted dia’s casino industry cra- that licensed online gam- tered in 2020 as Covid-19 bling operators were rigging prompted the government their games and threaten- to tighten entry restric- ing those unable to repay tions, limiting the number their gambling debts. of international visitors to Coupled with lingering the Kingdom, according to Covid-19 uncertainties, a Ministry of Economy and Phearun said the ban fur- Finance senior official on ther drove down tax rev- March 21. enue from the sector. The ministry’s deputy di- Making matters worse rector for financial industry still, the government sus- Ros Phearun told The Post pended all casino opera- that tax collected from the tions from April until Au- industry more than halved gust-September, which saw to $40 million in 2020, from a handful of businesses the $85 million logged a resume for the fourth quar- Early bird year earlier. ter, he said. A man and his daughter feed pigeons across from the Royal Palace in Chey Chumneas commune’s Village 1 in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district on Sunday. HENG CHIVOAN “As we’re all too well “As a matter of fact, we aware, the Covid-19 epi- expect tax collection from demic began in late 2019 our casino industry to im- and persists to this day. It’s prove in 2021 thanks to our pulverised all economic compliance with the re- sectors, and the casino in- cently-passed [Law on the Virus fears for massive India festival dustry has sustained a crip- Management of Integrated pling blow as well. Resorts and Commercial A huge religious gathering in infections nationally, with some potential to rapidly turning to appears likely. “Practically all of our ca- Gambling], launched on northern India could fuel a surge states imposing restrictions on an upsurge in cases, given the Crowd sizes are expected to sinos ceased operation in November 14, 2020, with in Covid-19 cases, the govern- movement and activities. expected large footfall during swell during three upcoming 2020, with only just seven the expectation that [tax ment warned on March 21 as it Virus fears have not stopped Kumbh,” it added. holy bathing days. or eight left scrambling revenue] will double. called for an increase in testing large crowds of pilgrims – More than 12 Indian states The government also called on to keep their businesses “We’ll collect [taxes] in and other health protocols. mostly maskless and with no have shown a jump in Covid- Uttarakhand state authorities to afloat. That’s why our reve- a transparent way, but The annual Kumbh Mela fes- social distancing – from 19 cases in the past few weeks, ensure “strict adherence to Cov- nue collection has dropped as Covid-19 continues to tival usually attracts millions attending the gathering, with the ministry said, warning that id-appropriate behaviour”. so much,” he said. spread and slash tourist of devout Hindus over three more than three million pil- some pilgrims could be from There were 43,846 fresh cas- On August 18, 2019, Prime arrivals, we dare not pre- months, but was shortened to grims taking part one day ear- these badly affected regions. es reported in the past 24 Minister Hun Sen issued a dict what the revenue from 30 days (April 1-30) as India – lier this month. Some 50,000 rapid antigen hours, the health ministry said directive banning online this sector will be” for fiscal the world’s third-most infected Up to 40 pilgrims and locals tests and 5,000 RT-PCR tests on March 21, the highest sin- and arcade gambling in the year 2021, Phearun said. nation with nearly 11.6 million were testing positive every day are being carried out every day gle-day rise this year. Kingdom by the end of the Earlier this month, Hong coronavirus cases – grapples at the festival in Haridwar in at the festival. But the ministry Infections fell to below 9,000 year, stating that such oper- Kong-listed NagaCorp Ltd, with the pandemic. Uttarakhand state, the health said more RT-PCR tests needed new cases a day early last ations had provided foreign Authorities had already ministry said. to be done – particularly in month, from a peak of almost nationals with the opportu- Continued – page 7 warned about a recent uptick in “This positivity rate has the areas where high transmission 100,000 in September. AFP

internet cafes close Inclusion business across phnom penh strategy poised to as Covid-19 spreads aid 1.7 million poor nATIONAL – page 3 business – page 6 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Employees get three Schools on pause amid Covid days off on New Year Voun Dara Mom Kunthear sure security, safety and public HE Ministry of Education, Youth order during the holiday. and Sport has suspended opera- THE government has decided “[They] must ensure that tions for all schools and educa- to allow private and state em- the public [follows] the health tional institutions at all levels ployees to enjoy a three day guidelines to stop the spread –T including private schools – across the holiday from work for Khmer of Covid-19 assiduously and country in order to prevent the further New Year – scheduled this year thoroughly in all public places spread of Covid-19, the education min- from April 14 to April 16 – but – especially at pagodas, resorts istry announced on March 20. they have been instructed to and other locations where “The [education ministry] has decided assiduously follow all health people are gathering,” he said to suspend operations at all levels for safety guidelines to prevent in the directive. both state and private schools – tem- the spread of Covid-19. The government also ap- porarily – nationwide from this notice According to a directive on pealed to the public to avoid onward. Educational institutions must the Khmer New Year Holiday unnecessary travel to high risk continue with online lessons,” stated the signed by Prime Minister Hun locations for Covid-19 trans- announcement signed by Minister of Sen on March 21, the govern- mission as determined by the Education Hang Chuon Naron. ment will permit workers at health ministry or provincial Additionally, the Ministry of Labour both private businesses and authorities. and Vocational Training has also de- A man rides past Chroy Changvar Primary School in Phnom Penh. Hong Menea state institutions to have three Hun Sen also advised people cided to temporarily suspend classes at days off from work in accor- to avoid some events – includ- technical and vocational education and ic, the two goals of the education ministry the spread of Covid-19. dance with the 2021 holiday ing attending any religious training institutions across the country are to continue to provide an education Grade 12 students could also learn by calendar. ceremonies with a large num- until further notice as well. to our students while also participating in viewing the 1,000 videos that the ministry “To ensure the safety of the ber of participants – and to The labour ministry stated that the the government’s campaign to bring the had produced on the subjects of math, lives of the Cambodian people; follow the three protections decision was made as part of the effort spread of Covid-19 under control. Khmer literature, physics, chemistry, bi- public health; and public order; and three don’ts guidelines. to stop the Covid-19 outbreak that con- “The education ministry has turned the ology, geography, history, civic and ethics and to minimise the effects of Hun Sen also noted that tinues to spread throughout the country. challenges presented by the Covid-19 pan- and geology that were all based on the Covid-19 on the social and eco- garment workers have two The ministry also advised all of the in- demic into an opportunity for strengthen- information found in the basic textbooks nomic sectors of Cambodia; the possible options available to stitutions under its purview to continue ing our online learning infrastructure and for that grade, according to Soveacha. government of Cambodia has them in accordance with the with lessons online. competency, which is a goal of the 2019- President of the Federation of Educa- taken some measures involving previously negotiated terms The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts 2023 strategic plans for education,” he said. tion Services in Cambodia, Pech Bolen, the Khmer New Year holiday,” between the government and announced the temporary suspension of He continued saying that parents, stu- said that the federation’s educational in- the directive stated. the employers and factories in all cinemas, theaters and museum opera- dents and educators generally welcomed stitutions always adhered to the advice The government also called their industry. tions across the country with the aim of and supported the distance learning ser- given by the ministries of education and on transportation companies The first option for garment preventing further spread of the virus. vices of the ministry along with the edu- health, instructing their staff and students and private transport opera- workers is to take their holiday Education ministry spokesperson Ros cational programming broadcast on TVK2 to follow the government’s guidelines. tors not to increase their trans- on the dates scheduled on the Soveacha said that the schools under and the apps sponsored by the Ministry “There are no problems at this point portation fees for the holiday calendar, April 14-16. The sec- the ministry’s supervision that were in- of Posts and Telecommunications. with private schools’ ability to offer online and to adhere to health safety ond option is to go to work on volved with the February 20 community Additionally, he noted that there were teaching and learning as we are more than guidelines to thoroughly pro- those dates as they normally transmission event have followed the other educational apps produced by the a year into the pandemic now,” he said. tect their passengers from the would but then be permitted health ministry’s safety guidelines assid- Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia Bolen added that with this latest and spread of Covid-19. to take three days off on any uously and that those state and private- and also by private sector organisations most severe outbreak of community Hun Sen also asked that offi- other future dates during the run schools had already suspended their that were helping to make online learn- transmission, the schools that were mem- cials and institutions at all lev- calendar year, as prescribed by operations and resumed online lessons. ing and teaching available across the bers of his federation had all decreased els of government help to en- Cambodia’s labour laws. “During the ongoing Covid-19 pandem- country while the nation was combating their tuition fees by 20 to 30 per cent. UNICEF gets $3M to tackle child abuse Voun Dara from Covid-19 than adults, ical, psychological and sexual in Cambodia since 1952 and there have been global re- abuse at home, it explained. has outstanding experience THE Japanese government ports that they may be at “In response, the government in working to end violence has awarded UNICEF Cam- greater risk of violence as a of Japan and UNICEF Cambo- against children. This is why bodia around $3 million for a result of the pandemic. dia are launching a new proj- the government of Japan con- project aiming to tackle vio- Movement restrictions, loss ect, Prevention and Response siders UNICEF to be the most lence against children amid of income, isolation, over- to Violence Against Children in trusted partner to achieve the Covid-19 pandemic. crowding and high levels of Cambodia during the Covid-19 this goal,” said Mikami. A joint press release on stress and anxiety increase the Pandemic and Recovery. “The government of Japan March 19 said although chil- likelihood that children may “The government of Japan and UNICEF are deeply com- Garment workers leave their factory in Phnom Penh. HENG CHIVOAN dren face less health risks experience and observe phys- has award 340,000,000 yen mitted to working with the (approximately $3,090,909) to Cambodian government to UNICEF to fund the project,” end violence against children the press release said. and will continue until we UNICEF Representative to have helped create a world Cambodia Foroogh Foyouzat where no child is left behind. said any form of violence a child “We will continue to cooper- was exposed to can lead to grave ate with the Cambodian gov- and lifelong consequences and ernment to help the country re- that UNICEF were deeply con- cover from Covid-19,” he said. cerned that children could be at According to the press re- greater risk of violence and abuse lease, the project’s objective during this difficult period. is to ensure that Cambodian “We are grateful to the Gov- children are protected from vi- ernment of Japan for stepping olence, exploitation and abuse in with this very important and throughout the Covid-19 pan- timely contribution. This project demic and during the period aims to strengthen child protec- of recovery, thereby increasing tion system and services and human security. contributes to the realisation of One example of how the aid Cambodian children’s right to will be spent is that support for grow in a safe and protective en- help lines and hotlines will be vironment,” said Foyouzat. increased to provide a safe and Japanese ambassador to accessible channel for children Cambodia Mikami Masahiro and adults to report violence, said childhood violence could including sexual exploitation harm children in multiple ways and abuse. that last throughout their lives. The goal, it said, is to sup- Violence suffered in childhood port the Cambodian govern- often leads to a broad range ment in creating a well-coor- of negative behavioural, psy- dinated and sustainable child chological and physical con- protection system to respond sequences in adolescence and to issues that have been ex- adulthood, which was also a acerbated by Covid-19 in col- challenge for economic devel- laboration with civil society opment. organisations and other rel- “UNICEF has been active evant stakeholders. THE PHNOM PENH POST March 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Capital’s internet cafes close as virus spreads

Niem Chheng ily closed the establishments. They were working to close ALL internet cafes in the capi- the remaining services in the tal have to temporarily shut district. down their services from “If owners do not cooper- March 20, or face having their ate and defiantly continue to licence revoked and be penal- operate their business, the ised under the recently enact- district authority will send the ed Covid-19 law, said Phnom case to Phnom Penh Munici- Penh Municipal Hall spokes- pal Court without exception,” person Meth Meas Pheakdey. the administration said. In an announcement on Municipal hall spokesman March 20, the municipal hall Meth Meas Pheakdey told The said the move was aimed at pre- Post on March 21 he did not venting further spread of Covid- have the figures for internet An example of a heated tobacco product which uses finely ground tobacco – without burning it like cigarettes do – to create a nicotine vapor. NACD 19 caused by the February 20 cafes that had been closed in community transmission. hand. He warned that any in- It said transmission is in- ternet cafe that violates the creasing and some of the order will have their licences sources of infections had been revoked and be sent to court. New tobacco device banned traced to Internet cafes. “In the directive, we just told “All Internet cafe owners in them to temporarily close, and Niem Chheng some Cambodians, especially mercialisation of these prod- said that using these products Phnom Penh and authorities they can resume their business young people, have contin- ucts and to confiscate them is also a motivating factor for in all the capital’s 14 districts when the situation improves. HE National Authority ued to use EDNS as well as whenever they are encoun- people to use other illegal have to effectively enforce But if they secretly continue for Combating Drugs new HTPs. tered as long as those seizures drugs. this order until further notice. their service, we will revoke (NACD) has instruct- They said the use of these do not affect legal business NACD secretary-general Violating this directive will re- their license and close their in- ed all relevant minis- products would encourage operations. Meas Virith declined to com- sult in administrative and le- ternet cafe permanently. triesT and institutions to take criminals to import the prod- The directive states: “All ment, saying the meaning of gal measures,” the announce- “Legal measures will be immediate action to stop the ucts illegally while Cambodia forms of trafficking, trad- the directive was already clear. ment said. taken using the Covid-19 use and commercialisation has its resources focused on ing and importation of HTPs Deputy National Police chief Daun Penh district admin- law. What penalty, either fine of heated tobacco products tackling the Covid-19 pan- must be stopped and infor- Mak Chito said that in the past istration on March 20 went or imprisonment, will be (HTPs) – devices that heat ac- demic and is still recovering mation on import restrictions the authorities had confiscat- to 36 Internet cafes in its 11 enforced depending on the tual tobacco to release its nic- from the flooding in 2020. must be diseminated to all ed many of these products. He communes and temporar- court,” he said. otine content – and Electronic According to the NACD, vendors and the public.” said that although some other Delivery of Nicotine Systems Cambodia has issued guide- The NACD requests that all countries consider the use of (EDNS), which are popularly lines and taken measures to relevant institutions strictly these products legal, Cambo- known as vaporisers or vapes prevent the use, exploitation follow these guidelines and dia does not allow it. and utilise liquids containing and importation of cigars and report the results of their “The NACD has issued a nicotine. EDNS since February 2014, implementation to the NACD directive to make the public They said their institution but the guidelines do not for a summary report to the aware of [these products’] had received information include all of the new HTPs government. negative [health] impacts that there were many people available on the market. The NACD announcement, such as on the lungs and the still using these products and The NACD requests that all citing a World Health Organi- nervous system. secretly doing business sell- ministries, institutions and sation finding, said the use of “In Cambodia, there are also ing them in Cambodia. drug control committees in cigars, EDNS and HTPs can bad people who are cheating According to the directive Phnom Penh and the prov- lead to serious lung disease by using methamphetamines dated March 18, the NACD inces take immediate action and even death. or marijuana [with these de- has received information that to stop the usage and com- The announcement further vices],” he said.

An officer closes an internet cafe in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district Non-formal education hit by Covid on Saturday. Daun Penh district administration

Niem Chheng ranging from sewing and computer literacy to produc- 1.5M doses of Sinovac NON-FORMAL education ing material for catching fish. (NFE) activities declined in 2020 The non-formal education compared to 2019 due to the programme also includes com- jabs set for March 26 Covid-19 pandemic, according munity learning centres, which Continued from page 1 civilians with the Chinese- to the report on non-formal currently has 349 locations, but made Sinopharm vaccine education released by the Min- only 321 are operating. Centres have received their second and 65,901 people with the istry of Education, Youth and that did not work were due to a dose of Covid-19 vaccine. AstraZeneca’s Covishield vac- Sports on March 18. number of factors, such as no “I request that everyone con- cine as of March 20. The 119-page annual report clear curriculum, no teachers tinue to follow the three pro- The Ministry of National details activities, achieve- and little support. tections and three don’ts guide- Defence said it had inocu- ments and challenges that In almost all non-formal ed- lines. Those who have received lated 110,587 members of the occurred last year. ucation programmes, the de- their second [vaccine] shot armed forces with the Sinop- According to the ministry, cline in the number of class- must not let their guard down. harm vaccine. non-formal education con- rooms, students and teachers The vaccines do not provide Separately on March 20, the sists of learning opportunities Sipar delivers books to children living on the outskirts of Phnom Penh was related to Covid-19. total protection against the vi- Siem Reap provincial authori- for children and out-of-school in February. Sipar Cambodia In the preface of the report, rus; they only help reduce its ties temporarily cordoned off youth, dropouts and illiterate education minister Hang spread,” he said. Kokchak commune in Siem people of all ages to help them implemented 894 vocational with 745 participants. Chuon Naron said: “In 2020, Hun Sen also announced Reap town after finding that access knowledge and life skills literacy or learning literacy In particular, the re-entry some NEF’s activities couldn’t that the health ministry a 35-year-old man who had to improve their quality of life. classes linked with skills, or programme – extra classes for be processed, some were de- would launch a 15-day Astra- tested positive for Covid-19 This type of education in- a total of 17,694 students. helping students who have layed and changed formats of Zeneca vaccination campaign had been residing in the com- cludes such programmes as Of these classes, the govern- dropped out of primary school learning due to the Covid-19 for people aged 60 and over in mune’s Kouk Tnaot village. vocational literacy, post-liter- ment has implemented 878 – was severely affected in 2020 pandemic. Phnom Penh. The man is a dump truck acy, complementary, equiva- classes and 16 classes come with only the provinces of Kan- “The ministry has explored all “The vaccination centres driver in Dei Ith commune’s lency, re-entry, and income- from development partners. dal, Preah Vihear and Takeo still means to provide knowledge to must be located in districts Dei Ith village of Kandal prov- generating. At the same time, the number implementing the programme. all students through multi-dis- that are easy for people to ac- ince’s Kien Svay district but In 2020, the literacy rate of of classrooms, students and In these provinces, there ciplinary learning, home-based cess. Those who haven’t yet had returned to Siem Reap on adults aged from 15 was 87.7 teachers has decreased com- were only 91 classes operat- learning, distance learning, reached the age of 60 should March 7. per cent, of which 90.9 per pared to 2019. ing, a drop of 570 classes form and e-learning by producing not show up and try to get The provincial administra- cent were male and 84.8 per The literacy class was im- 2019, or 1,742 students, a de- video tutorials for online edu- vaccinated because you’ll be tion has also suspended the cent were female. Adult illit- plemented in 830 villages, 551 crease of 10,069 from 2019. cation equivalents, literacy pro- taking it away from an elderly operations of four medical eracy was 949,516 people with communes in 186 districts Income-generating pro- grammes and primary equiva- person,” he said. clinics out of concerns that 51 per cent being women. across the country. grammes – which combine lency programmes,” he said. The prime minister said the 35-year-old, who had re- Prey Veng province has the Literacy classes are also held skills training and lending, Ministry spokesman Ros 1.5 million doses of China’s portedly visited them, had highest female illiteracy rate at correctional centres and such as creating team build- Soveacha said NEF focused Sinovac vaccine were sched- spread the virus to their staff. at 57.36 per cent, while Oddar prisons, and at factories and ing, rice banks, and commu- mainly on poor, vulnerable uled to arrive in Cambodia on As of March 21, Cambodia Meanchey province has the enterprises. In 2020, seven nities – made up 584 classes children; working and out-of- March 26. had recorded a total of 1,680 lowest rate at 44.60 per cent. literacy classes were held at with 8,622 students enrolled school youth; ethnic groups Since vaccination campaign Covid-19 cases, with 725 re- In 2020, education depart- correctional centres with 160 in 2020. This programme and adults. Special attention is began, the health ministry maining hospitalised and ments across the country have participants and in 33 prisons trained 40 different skills paid to children and women. said it had inoculated 145,533 three confirmed deaths. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National

A ranger holds Cambodian flag atop a mountain in a protected area. environment ministry Forest activists celebrate World Forest Day in Kampong Thom province. facebook Environment ministry, CYN launch ‘Forest Lay Samean not prepare a big programme “Over the last 10 years, we conserving temples and in- tectors’. There have been over Pheaktra said the ministry or hold a mass gathering to have seen the situation of pro- creasing wildlife habitats. 1,100 loggers,” he said. was glad to let activists and HE Ministry of En- celebrate the event in per- tecting and conserving natural CYN’s programme manager Kimhong added that when various partners participate vironment, relevant son and instead launched the resources improve. There are Heng Kimhong said the forest the Covid-19 situation sub- in protecting and conserving institutions and the campaign on the ministry’s no longer large-scale offences. advocacy campaign will last sides, he would present a natural resources and biodi- Cambodian Youth Facebook page. It means that people no longer for three months from March petition to the ministries of versity in protected area as NetworkT (CYN) on March 21 “These past few days, we use chainsaws to saw timbers 15 and some activities were environment and interior long as they respect proper launched an online Cambodi- have posted information re- in the middle of forests and online. requesting a dialogue on the procedures. Those partners an forest projection campaign garding forests to make citi- sleep in the middle of forests. He added that the working problem of forests in Cambo- have to fulfil a legal obligation to celebrate World Forest Day zens realise and learn about But there are still small-scale group had started the campaign dia. He said he made the de- first – they need to register, under the theme “Forest Res- them. So, they can take part offences such as home-made on Facebook on March 15 to cision after observing that in especially the Law on Associ- toration” to show the public in the protection and conser- tractors, motorcycles and oth- promote the message of recog- the first three months of the ation and Non-Governmental the importance of forests for vation of forests,” he said. er activities. These problems nising the importance of forests year, forest protection activi- Organisations. mankind. He added that thanks to ef- still arise in natural protected for mankind in the world. ties had been restricted. “For the environment min- Environment ministry forts to manage and conserve areas,” he continued. “Until now, we have joined Kimhong said activists istry, we don’t oppose nature spokesman Neth Pheaktra protected areas, forest resourc- Separately, the Apsara Na- the campaign by changing could not enter protected lovers and participants who told The Post that because es have improved despite still tional Authority on March 19 profiles and posted on Face- areas to protect the forests, protect natural resources. But the Covid-19 crisis had yet to having certain challenges and planted 150 tree saplings for book under the slogan ‘Please while forest activists in Kratie what we require them to do is subside, the ministry could small-scale offences. greening the Angkor zone, stop loggers, don’t arrest pro- province had been detained. respect the law,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National​ Asia culture council conducts Ambulance driver in M’kiri dismissed for meeting on shared prosperity dropping off corpse

Mom Kunthear Orm Bunthoeurn near Khuon village, Bunleng dropped the woman’s body un Sen, prime THE Ratanakkiri Provincial off and informed her family minister and hon- Administration has dismissed about it. The corpse was then orary founding an ambulance driver from the retrieved and transported by chairman of the provincial referral hospital motorbike to her home. AHsian Cultural Council (ACC), for dropping off a woman’s “This was all caused by one on March 19 sent a congratu- corpse halfway instead of de- individual. The driver did not latory letter to the second livering it to her family. follow the instructions he was meeting of the ACC lauding Deputy provincial governor given. The provincial health this year’s theme as very much Nhem Sam Oeun said an in- department deeply regrets in line with the world’s current vestigation determined that that this has happened and state. it was solely the driver’s fault we offer our sincere apologies The ACC and the Interna- and not the hospital’s. to the woman’s family,” said tional Conference of Asian Sam Oeun said the driver the press statement. Political Parties (ICAPP) held was a contract employee and Mong Vichet, acting execu- the second meeting under the a review of his performance in- tive director of the NGO High- theme Promotion of Culture dicated that he had performed landers Association, deplored and Innovation for Shared his work poorly and had drawn the incident, saying the dead Prosperity during and after complaints from many pa- had a right to be treated with

Covid-19. NA’s Khuon Sodary (centre) during a video conference of the Asian Cultural Council. Facebook tients prior to this incident. dignity. “I would like to thank all the “We have decided to fire He noted however that the delegates for attending the development and innovation, against global epidemics re- Project Services, the Asian Vi- him,” he said. incident may have been due second meeting of the Asian with culture as a catalyst for quires international solidarity sion Institute and other insti- Provincial health depart- to a cultural misunderstand- Cultural Council, and the se- achieving sustainable devel- and partnerships. No country tutions. ment director Ung Ratana de- ing related to indigenous lection of this theme which is opment goals,” he said. or society is safe if we are all According to the press re- clined to comment, referring people’s traditions regarding very good and relevant to the He said the connection be- not safe,” Hun Sen said. lease on the outcome of the reporters to an official press the handling of corpses. current situation of the world,” tween people, knowledge and The meeting was presided second meeting of the ACC, statement. “I think maybe the driver Hun Sen stated in his letter. activities are all important in- over by ICAPP founding chair- the Phnom Penh statement “[The decision] does not misunderstood our tradition It has been two years since tervention strategies to bring man Jose de Venecia and Na- focused on three key points: rest with me,” he said. restricting corpses from vil- the ACC was established and tangible results to the people. tional Assembly (NA) second ACC’s commitment to mobi- According to the provincial lage areas, so he dropped the announced in Siem Reap By the same token, people- vice-president, ICAPP Stand- lise resources to increase cul- health department’s March 17 body off halfway. province. The council is aimed centred development and ing Committee vice-chair- tural diversity, and act as a cat- press release, the hospital dis- “There is a tradition that at promoting cultural and cooperation are an important person and ACC chairperson alyst to rebuild the economy patched an ambulance driven corpses are not allowed in the peaceful connectivity, sustain- approach. Khuon Sodary. Attending were after the Covid-19 pandemic; by Un Bunleng to transport the villages, but they do not pun- able development, human re- “We have a common goal high-level delegations from recognising the need to en- body of a 31-year-old woman ish the family of the deceased lations and innovation. of supporting the ACC to be- Asia and representatives of courage more investment in named Kim Mak to her home person over it. But he may “Our political commitment come an important institution key political parties within the culture-driven innovation and in Phak Nam village of Veun Sai have thought he was acting is clear. We work together to in Asia in promoting peace, ICAPP framework. development; and coopera- district’s Koh Peak commune. according to our traditions promote international dia- inclusiveness, sustainability The meeting was also at- tion in holding public cultural When the ambulance as indigenous people,” he ex- logue and cooperation on and social resilience. The fight tended by the UN Office for events online or in person. reached the O’roling bridge plained. BAKC inks MoU for victimised women

Voun Dara

THE Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) will work with Cam- bodia National Council for Women to provide legal defence services and train enforcement officials in relevant laws. BAKC signed a memorandum of un- derstanding (MoU) on Cooperation to Provide Defence Services to Poor Women and Girls who are Victimised by Violence and Provide Legal Training to this end on March 17. In a press release, BAKC said the MoU that lasts for three years from January 2021 to December 2023. “This MoU is made to strengthen and expand legal services to poor women and girls who are victimised by violence and train the law to officials of the Per- manent Secretariat General of the Cam- bodian National Council for Women and judicial police of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the departments of Women’s BAKC president Ly Chantola (centre) signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodian Affairs in the capital city and provinces,” National Council for Women. BAKC the press release said. In the MoU, BAKC was obliged to pro- cially to children and workers to strength- Secretariat General of the Cambodian vide legal services to poor women and en social equality and justice and uphold National Council for Women, Ministry of girls who have been victims of domes- the excellence of the legal profession. Women’s Affairs or other spokespersons tic violence, sexually abused, had their According to BAKC, as of February 19, from the ministry could be contacted on rights violated, and honour and dignity it had defended 2,167 cases of the poor March 21 for comment. abused. It was also obliged to procure le- and 3,658 clients were defended across Rights group Adhoc senior investiga- gal representation for women who were the country in the course of 100 days af- tor Soeng Sen Karuna said that he had divorced due to violence. ter lawyer Ly Chantola was elected presi- in the past observed that volunteer law- The press release added that BAKC dent of the 13th mandate of BAKC on yers from BAKC and volunteer lawyers had participated in training law enforce- October 16, last year. from the government had taken part in ment officials of the national council for Chantola could not be reached for defending poor women, children and women and the departments of wom- comment on March 21. But he said in a others. But some cases had yet to get a en’s affairs. The council for women was press conference on achievements of the satisfactory result. obliged to provide 1,200,000 riel ($300) 100-day work of lawyers: “As a defence “I have observed that the government per case to lawyers who defended cases volunteer lawyer for citizens, we must has yet to provide sufficient volunteer or represented victims. not defend our clients in a perfunctory lawyers for defending poor clients. In the BAKC issued a policy on February 5, for manner. But we must perform the role of past, poor women, children and other free-of-charge consultation and defence ethics, profession as the law prescribes. people had been defended by volunteer for the poor. The MoU is an important ele- In the past, BAKC had punished a few lawyers. But we look at the quality of the ment of the policy. BAKC has continued to lawyers for not respecting ethics.” lawyers, and they don’t seem to provide strive to provide legal aid to the poor, espe- Representatives from the Permanent the proper understanding,” he said. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,068 1.2488 6.5074 108.87 4.1075 1.3431 30.84 0.7749 1.1891 1.3922

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: March 19, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,720 16,700 16,760 16,700 2 GTI 4,300 3,950 4,300 3,950 3 PAS 13,040 13,120 13,140 12,940 4 PEPC 3,000 2,990 3,010 2,910 5 PPAP 12,600 12,200 12,600 12,200 6 PPSP 1,780 1,760 1,780 1,750 7 PWSA 6,380 6,360 6,380 6,320 Inclusion guide to aid 1.7M poor PPAP to reorganise Thou Vireak LM17 terminal, sets HE much-anticipated Inclusive Business En- abling Environment new container rules for Cambodia (IbeeC) strategyT will be adopted soon to meet the needs of 1.7 million Thou Vireak operating system (TOS) to poor and low-income Cambo- optimise the sorting process, dians by 2023, a wide-ranging THE stock-listed Phnom PPAP said. virtual meeting conducted by Penh Autonomous Port Alternatively, shipping com- the Ministry of Industry, Sci- (PPAP) is set to give the LM17 panies can enter the data into ence, Technology and Innova- container terminal just east the TOS online via the Booking tion heard on March 18. of the capital a much-need- Truck Call feature available on Present at the meeting were ed layout overhaul to relieve PPAP’s website, it added. senior officials of various min- congestion. PPAP warned that it is con- istries and government insti- The river-port operator said sidering a marshalling fee for tutions, representatives of the this in a March 3 statement businesses that fail to have ASEAN Coordinating Commit- signed by director-general these details inputted into tee on Micro, Small, and Me- Hey Bavy and released to the the TOS or that give incorrect dium Enterprise, development media on March 21. information. partners, the private sector, in- Admitting that the current Logistics Business Associa- vestors, business associations, design was not very efficient, tion (LOBA) president Chea promoters and facilitators. The IbeeC strategy is expected to meet the needs of 1.7 million poor and low-income Cambodians by 2023. hONG MENEA Inclusive businesses (IB) are It’ll be easier to arrange those that are designed to lift achieving the government’s vi- Cambodia Pauline Tamesis told The report revealed that 19 low-income populations out sion of becoming an upper-mid- the meeting that the UN will companies were developing containers at the port, and of poverty by profitably inte- dle-income country by 2030,” continue to support the pro- an IB model that will give a also reduce congestion grating them into their value he said, adding that IBeeC was motion of IBs in the Kingdom. leg up to 1.7 million poor and chains or operations. largely driven by his ministry. “The inclusive business is low-income Cambodians by outside the port Speaking at the event, in- Ministry secretary of state relevant for economic recov- 2023, more than doubling from dustry minister Cham Prasidh Heng Sokkung said IBeeC fo- ery and building a better way 800,000 in 2019. the state-owned PPAP noted Chandara told The Post that said the IB model provides the cuses on nine points – support; forward to achieve the Sus- In September, the ASEAN that barges often have to lift the move would make it easier groundwork for a unique busi- raising awareness; evaluation tainable Development Goals economic ministers adopted piles of containers to reach to properly organise and move ness network that is based on and recognition; training and [SDGs]. Real development the “Guidelines for Promoting their designated cargo, lead- containers out of the terminal, sound commercial principles promotion; risk reduction cannot be achieved or sus- Inclusive Business in ASEAN” ing to congestion and in- calling on companies to com- and fosters a high-functioning funds; incentives; prioritisa- tainable unless it is connect- and Cambodia was the first creased transport costs. ply with PPAP’s orders. culture of creation and inno- tion; social impact; and coop- ed to everyone,” she noted. country in the 10-nation bloc To ensure efficiency in the “With more and better co- vation which generates sub- eration with ASEAN to advance The ministry said the meet- to implement its ideas through flow of goods,A PP P said it operation, it’ll be easier to ar- stantial amounts of income. the IB agenda in the region. ing also presented the results a comprehensive strategy. would sort containers based range containers at the port, He said IBs have been a sub- “IB has been mainstreamed of a report on the shape of the Prasidh said that with these on transit port and barge and also reduce congestion stantial source of solutions re- into the draft SME [small and Cambodian IB market, which guidelines in hand and as the operator, ordering transport outside the port,” he said. lated to income generation and medium-sized enterprise] was prepared last year with the host of the ASEAN summit companies to provide staff LM17 container terminal is improving the livelihoods of policy, and currently the support of the UN Economic next year, the Kingdom plans with the required documents in Kandal Loeu village, Banteay low-income people in a system- strategy on promoting Cam- and Social Commission for Asia to host the 5th ASEAN Inclu- once the containers reach the Dek commune in Kandal’s Kien atic and sustainable manner. bodia’s IB is being reviewed and the Pacific (UNESCAP) sive Business Summit and terminal’s gate. Svay district, around 25km east “This is why we need to en- for formal approval,” he said. and the Inclusive Business Ac- Third ASEAN Inclusive Busi- The staff will then feed the on National Highway 1 from courage IBs to contribute to UN resident coordinator to tivities Network (IBAN). ness Awards. information into the terminal Monivong Bridge. USD-CHF trading bullish as US economic conditions improve The $1.9 trillion American while small businesses are to – were also higher than in Rescue Plan will be key in receive $15 billion in aid to help previous months. maintaining the USD-CHF the recovery from the effects of Given this scenario, the strong uptrend. the pandemic. dollar will also push the USD- President Biden anticipates Biden will also leverage CHF value in the coming weeks. a two-pronged response to the $35 billion in government funds Therefore, traders can buy The increasing value of the pandemic and the economic crisis. to generate $175 billion to at 0.9260, setting the first currency pairing of the US dollar One is based on the first round support small businesses. take-profit function at 0.9310 to the Swiss franc (USD-CHF) of bailouts approved in 2020 and Since March, according to and the second one at 0.9350, that has risen from 0.8799 to will provide more spending to forexfactory.com, US economic setting the hedge function at 0.9330 per dollar recently is individuals, expand support to momentum and job growth 0.9233 per dollar. expected to continue next week, households and small businesses, has improved. The February largely fuelled by signs of a US provide funding for vaccine employment rate was 379,000, economic recovery. distribution and give assistance up from 166,000 in January. President Joe Biden’s plans for to state and local governments. Other key economic data – additional Covid-related relief Under the rescue plan, the economic optimism index, and stimulus is likely to bring individuals are to receive an the ISM manufacturing index more positive changes. additional $1,400 direct payment, and unemployment claims Analysis by Golden FX Link business manager Chea Prasith. a l Advertori THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business NagaCorp Vietnam dairy industry reaches out to pay 100% of H2 profits to the world, 2020 exports hit $302M as dividends ESPITE the Covid-19 with fermented milk, Bel pandemic wreaking Vietnam, with cheese, Nuti- Continued from page 1 havoc on all sectors, food, with sterilised, modi- Vietnam’s dairy in- fied and flavoured fermented the parent company of local dustryD has made efforts to win milk, Vinamilk’s three plants, casino operator NagaWorld over customers and solidified with condensed milk, fla- Ltd, announced that it would its foothold in the domestic voured fermented milk, steri- pay out 100 per cent of net market while reaching out to lised and modified milk, and profits for the second half of global markets. sweetened condensed milk, 2020. The Ministry of Industry and and many other kinds of con- The dividend payment of Trade said Vietnam shipped densed milk products. $81 million, or 1.88 US cents $302.7 million worth of dairy Besides China, Vietnam’s per share, came as Naga- products last year, a 10.5 per dairy products have also won Corp reported net profit of cent increase against 2019. over customers in the US, just over $102.3 million for This was the first time the Japan, South Korea and the the full-year 2020, on the country’s dairy export revenue Middle East. back of a strong recovery in has exceeded $300 million. Dairy producers said they the second half posted by According to the Vietnam have paid due regard to im- NagaWorld. Dairy Association (VDA), many proving product quality and “For each six month period enterprises have spent heavily packaging design, to better in the future years, the com- on advanced technologies and meet customer requirements. pany shall review, assess and developed cattle farms under TH True Milk, Vinasoy, and where appropriate, revise its Global GAP, VietGAP, and or- Moc Chau Milk are all invest- dividend policy in accor- ganic standards to improve A high tech dairy farm of TH True Milk. After showing their capacity to supply foreign markets with quality ing in material zones, plants, dance with the company’s products, Vietnamese enterprises have enjoyed strong sales. THMILK.VN/VIET NAM NEWS productivity and food safety and state-of-the-art technol- revenues, global economic, and to diversify products. while, Vinasoy’s products have need for high-value products. Africa Markets has said. ogies to produce internation- Covid-19 conditions and After showing their capacity been sold on 11 e-commerce Exports exhibited robust Accordingly, Frie- al-standard products. other factors. to supply foreign markets with platforms and at six super- signs in the first two months slandCampina Hanam Co Ltd According to Vinamilk in- “This marks the group’s quality products, Vietnamese market chains in China. of the year, with 10 containers is allowed to ship pasteurised ternational business director track record of uninterrupt- enterprises have enjoyed strong The VDA said the dairy sec- of Vinamilk’s nut milk and five and fermented milk, while Vo Trung Hieu, together with ed relatively high annual sales. Despite the pandemic, tor earned more than 113.71 containers of sweetened con- the FrieslandCampina Viet- strong markets like the Middle dividend pay-out, with a to- Vinamilk and Vinasoy export- trillion dong ($4.95 billion) in densed milk shipped to China. nam Co Ltd can export pas- East, Southeast Asia and the tal dividend distribution ex- ed products to major markets revenue in 2020, or five per cent Meanwhile, the Chinese teurised and fermented milk, US, it is also promoting exports ceeding $1.5 billion since its such as China, the Middle East, higher than in 2019, thanks to General Administration of sweetened condensed milk to markets such as South Korea IPO [initial public offering] South Korea and Japan. an abundance of raw materials, Customs (GAC) recently an- and other dairy products. and several countries in Africa. in 2006,” NagaCorp added. Vinamilk signed a deal worth high demand and solid mainte- nounced the granting of China has so far granted Entering fastidious markets According to Phearun, 101 $20 million with a distribu- nance of distribution channels. transaction codes to two Viet- transaction codes to nine has affirmed the position of casino operators in the King- tor in Dubai last year to sup- Securities firms expect that namese companies to ship Vietnamese companies and Vietnamese enterprises in dom have applied to renew ply dairy products, and also the dairy sector will grow dairy products to the country, plants. Others include TH the world’s dairy industry, he their licences year-to-date shipped its nut milk and milk some seven per cent in 2021 the Ministry of Industry and True Milk, with sterilised and added. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS out of a total of 193 registered tea to South Korea. Mean- on the back of an increasing Trade’s Department of Asia- modified milk, Hanoimilk, NETWORK by the end of last year. SBI LY HOUR Bank launches a new branch at 7 Makara in Phnom Penh

SBI LY HOUR Bank Plc, a Japan subsidiaries, which will joint-venture between LY HOUR promote economic and political Group and SBI Holdings Inc, stability in the Kingdom. launched its new branch on Chea Vanchanbopha (pic- March 22 in the Central Com- tured) is the branch manager mercial Zone. who has more than 17 years of The 7 Makara Branch, lo- experience in commercial and cated at building 219, corner St premier banking, and manage- 128 and St 169, Sangkat Mit- ment training. tapheap, Khan Prampir Makara She said the 7 Makara Phnom Penh, is now opened for branch is ready to offer various business after going through a financial services to its custom- five-month renovation. ers. SBI LY HOUR Bank that obtained the Commercial Bank For further details please License from the National Bank contact: of Cambodia in March 2020 Chea Vanchanbopha, branch is one of the fastest growing manager financial institutions in the Tel: (855) 12 211 615 Kingdom. Email: vanchanbopha.chea@ Despite the global economic sbilhbank.com.kh slowdown due to the Covid- 19, SBI LY HOUR Bank will continue to offer financial services to meet the demands of both urban and rural customers who are in the low and middle income segment. As of February 2021, SBI LY HOUR Bank has offered more than 1,500 jobs to Cambodians through its 45 branches across 25 provinces. The newly established SBI LY HOUR Bank will attract more funds from foreign and domestic sources to provide the best financial services to attract long-term investment from 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business CDC approves eight projects so far in March Hin Pisei medical garment and equipment factory in Preah Sihanouk province’s AMBODIA approved eight in- Cambodian Zhejiang Guoji SEZ in- vestment projects worth over dustrial park will lead to 1,200 jobs. $69 million in the first three Huiquanfeng Technology (Cam- weeks of this month that are bodia) Co Ltd’s $7 million bicycle as- expectedC to deliver 5,249 jobs, accord- sembly and spare parts plant in Tay ing to a report from the Council for the Seng Special Economic Zone of Svay Development of Cambodia (CDC). Rieng’s Bavet town will create 180 jobs The CDC gave the green light for and Jiangyao (Cambodia) Garments final registration certificates to two Co Ltd’s $2.1 million garment factory The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has given the green light to eight investment projects worth over $69 million electronics assembly manufactur- in the “Suzhou Cambodia” industrial this month as of March 19 that are expected to create 5,249 jobs for locals. HENG CHIVOAN ing plants – Yuan Shuo (Cambo- park in Kandal’s Takhmao town will dia) Co Ltd’s $2.2 million project in provide 2,611 jobs, CDC reported. Cambodia a stronger pace of eco- of a gradual recovery for the Cam- energy sector’s share in CDC-approved Takeo province’s Tram Kak district Cambodia Chamber of Commerce nomic growth,” Heng said. bodian economy that will garner projects has seen a steady uptick, in and Schneitic Chint Co Ltd’s $2.5 vice-president Lim Heng said appli- The FTA with China was inked on further momentum once Covid-19 stark contrast with bygone eras where million venture in Pursat province’s cations for investment projects to October 12 and negotiations for an- ends and comes as the government garments, sport equipment, bags and Krakor district, which will create 232 CDC had not declined despite the other one with South Korea came to moves to a greater focus on its vac- footwear dominated the scene. and 62 jobs, respectively. resurgent spread of Covid-19. a close February 3 with a signing ex- cination campaign. He said the pick-up illustrates grow- Xin Wei Jie Co Ltd’s $2.9 million gar- Submissions covered all fields, he pected in mid-2021. He noted that applications for the ing recognition of the latent invest- ment factory in western Phnom Penh’s noted while highlighting textiles, The Kingdom is additionally in projects approved by CDC were not ment potential in the Kingdom’s en- Sen Sok district will create 659 jobs and construction, energy and electron- talks to launch FTA negotiations recent and may have been submit- ergy and electronics assembly sector. Green Sustainable Ventures (Cambo- ics assembly. with Russia, the US, the UK, Japan, ted before 2021. “Cheap electricity prices, favour- dia) Co Ltd’s $17.6 million 20MW so- He ascribed the surge of foreign in- Mongolia, India and the Eurasian Still, he said: “This marks the able investment laws and improved lar farm in Svay Rieng province’s Svay terest in investing in Cambodia to a Economic Union (EAEU) – which positive progression for Cambo- infrastructure will showcase Cam- Teap district will generate 150 jobs. number of key factors such as the on- comprises Armenia, Belarus, Ka- dia’s economic growth, as the global bodia’s potential to lure in foreign First Aquatic Industrial Co Ltd’s going Sino-US trade dispute, favour- zakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. economy and tourism sector signal direct investment,” Vanak said. $25.2 million aquaculture farm in able Cambodian investment laws, Hong Vanak, director of Interna- a potential gradual start to recovery. Last month, CDC approved 16 Kandal province’s Kien Svay and round-the-clock development of road tional Economics at the Royal Acad- CDC nods for investment projects new investment projects with a to- Kandal Stung districts will bring 155 infrastructure and a recently signed emy of Cambodia, told The Post on will lead to the creation of many a tal capital investment of more than jobs and Innomed Healthcare Prod- free trade agreement (FTA) with China. March 21 that the CDC’s latest ap- job for locals.” $700 million that were expected to ucts (Cambodia) Co Ltd’s $10 million “Each new investment will give provals are a potential harbinger At the same time, he noted that the create 11,414 local jobs.

LG Group sets up committee VN animal feed prices rise sharply, farmers hit hard THE price of livestock fodder ers and foreign businesses, while to handle ESG has risen by 15-30 per cent in all the corn used for the produc- outh Korea’s LG Corp, LG the last five months because tion of animal feed is imported. Group’s holding company, of higher prices of inputs, and Vietnam only produces rice Son March 19 said its board many farmers are facing big bran and cassava, and has had launched an exclusive losses as a result. failed to develop areas to grow committee to deal with environ- Tran Quang Trung, a pig feed inputs because of poor mental, social and governance farmer in Dong Nai province’s productivity, and the animal (ESG) issues as part of its efforts Thong Nhat district, said a feed supply chain is not com- to reinforce self-monitoring by 25kg bag of bran has increased prehensive, he added. listed affiliates for governance and from 250,000 to 290,000 dong The dependence on imports, compliance issues. ($11 to $12.60) since October. and the sharp increase in global The ESG Committee, which will Prices of raw materials used prices of raw materials due to be the top decision-making body for feed such as corn, rice bran crop failures and China buying on ESG management, will report and fish flour are also continu- record quantities, means input policies to the board concerning ing to rise. prices have increased sharply. environment and safety, corporate But farmers cannot hike The lack of empty contain- social responsibility, customer prices of poultry or cattle since ers, which are stuck in various value, shareholder value and they compete with cheap ports around the world, to governance. imported products. transport goods has increased All the committee members will In Dong Nai province, the the prices of imported raw be independent directors of LG, country’s largest chicken pro- materials further. and the CEOs of each affiliate will ducer, the price of chicken has To minimise the monopoly also take part. fallen below production cost of foreign enterprises and cre- The committee will have a more since feed prices have increased Poultry farmers have been hit hard by skyrocketing feed prices. VIET NAM NEWS ate competition, Binh said the specialised consulting group from 20,000 dong per kilo- state should plan raw material consisting of outside experts on gramme to 26,000 dong, causing are suffering big losses, espe- variety a day are losing 30-40 Vietnam Animal Feed Associa- areas and offer preferential ESG, the group said. farmers an average loss of 3,500 cially those with bank loans. Big million dong ($1300-1740) daily, tion deputy chairman Pham policies to domestic compa- To enhance the transparency of dong per kilogramme of meat. farms that typically sell 10,000- according to the Dong Nai Ani- Duc Binh said animal feed pro- nies in terms of borrowing. VIET transactions among affiliates, LG Poultry and livestock farmers 20,000 chicken of the Tam Hoang mal Husbandry Association. duction is controlled by import- NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK said, it has also created another committee to look at internal transactions. LG Corp and its listed affiliates plan to expand their auditing British Airways mulls HQ sale amid telecommuting boom committee, which comprises three external directors, to four BRITISH Airways (BA) is mull- agile and flexible ways of work- for such a large headquarters ate a sale, citing an internal March 19’s news comes after directors after a vote at next year’s ing the sale of its headquarters ing,” BA said in a statement building.” staff email. IAG last month posted a record shareholders meeting. near Heathrow Airport to raise emailed to AFP on March 19. The company’s sprawling The group is in the early stag- annual net loss of €6.9 billion The auditing committee will funds, as many employees “Our aim is to find a hybrid Waterside office complex es of reviewing different options ($8.4 billion) as Covid-19 para- assume the role of independently embrace telecommuting dur- working model that suits our employs around 2,000 people and no final decisions have yet lysed air travel. overseeing the compliance and ing the coronavirus pandemic. business, blending the best of and is situated on the outskirts been made, however. IAG, which also owns Span- fiscal soundness of the group. A “The global pandemic has office and remote working for of Heathrow in Harmonds- IAG, the British carrier’s par- ish airline Iberia and Ireland’s new auditing department will be shown us that many of our col- our people. worth, west of the British cap- ent company, has axed 10,000 Aer Lingus, revealed that rev- formed within the holding com- leagues enjoy working remote- “We’ve also re-structured ital. jobs at BA, or one quarter of its enues dived by 70 per cent to pany to support the committee. THE ly and want to continue, and our business to emerge from The Financial Times report- workforce, as it responds to €7.8 billion in 2020 as govern- KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK this has accelerated our the crisis and are considering ed that BA has already hired nosediving demand in the glo- ment travel restrictions slashed approach to offering more whether we still have the need property consultants to evalu- bal health emergency. passenger numbers. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World First Turkish air strikes Young Tunisia activists grapple on Kurdish zone in Syria with mounting police pressure in 17 months: monitor The Turkish airforce conduct- ever, remained in the hands of amza Nasri, a ed its first strikes in 17 months Kurdish forces. young Tunisian against a zone in north Syria The air strikes come the same activist, hit the held by Kurdish militia on the day as “violent clashes” and streets as part of night of March 20, a monitor “intensive rocket fire” on the anti-governmentH protests in said. frontlines of Ain Issa district recent months. Now he says The Syrian Observatory for between SDF forces and Turk- he is under police watch and Human Rights (SOHR) said: “A ish-backed factions, the SOHR afraid for his friends. Turkish fighter jet has struck said, adding there had been The 27-year-old said: “I’ve military positions of Syrian confirmed casualties. moved house three times in Democratic Forces [SDF] in SOHR director Rami Abdul recent months. I’ve stopped Saida village in Ain Issa coun- Rahman said: “Clashes between going to see certain friends so tryside . . . which caused loud the two sides have been going I don’t put them in danger.” explosions.” on for the last 24 hours . . . Turk- Tunisia won plaudits for It added that this was the first ish forces have had difficulty its democratic transition, its aerial raid since “Operation advancing since the SDF free elections and new lib- Peace Spring” – an October 2019 destroyed a Turkish tank.” eral constitution after its 2011 campaign launched by Ankara The Syrian Kurdish-led Peo- revolution. and its Syrian allies against the ple’s Protection Units, which The popular uprising put an SDF in northern Syria. form a vital component of the end to a police state and es- That operation, interrupted SDF, are considered by Turkey tablished freedom of expres- after two accords negotiated by to be a “terrorist offshoot” of sion that was unprecedented Ankara with first Washington, the outlawed Kurdistan Work- in the North African country. and then Moscow, allowed Tur- ers’ Party. But a decade later, in the key to to seize control of a “safe But they have also been a key face of limited reforms to the zone” inside Syria around ally to the US and others in the security and judicial systems, 120km long and 32km deep. battle against the Islamic State Tunisian police block protesters from accessing the parliament building in Tunis. AFP activists say the risk of arrest The village of Ain Issa, how- group in Syria. AFP places a “sword of Damocles” “If I am sentenced to more though her sentence was re- Mehdi Barhoumi, an expert over their heads. than six months [in jail], it duced to a fine on appeal and on rights and government in In January, security forces will go down on my criminal she was freed. his thirties, said such arrests arrested hundreds of youths, record and I can say goodbye Dozens of human rights “place a real sword of Damo- including many minors, from to my dreams of being a law- organisations in Tunisia and cles over our heads”. underprivileged and mar- yer,” he said. abroad had called for Am- Barhoumi himself was ar- ginalised neighbourhoods douni’s release. rested at a friend’s house and across the country during ‘We don’t feel safe’ Both Nasri and Amdouni jailed for two days after criti- several nights of unrest. In Tunisia, sex before mar- are connected to the associa- cising the growing presence They have subsequently ar- riage, same-sex conduct, tion Damj, which defends the of police unions during a pri- rested several young activists social media posts deemed rights of LGBTQI people. vate discussion. who denounced what they saw offensive and evidence of “Life for a young person He expressed concern at as a repressive police response. cannabis use in urine sam- in Tunisia is about trying to “the alarming security turn Nasri said he feared the ples can all be punishable by avoid the police as much as Tunisia is taking in its re- country had taken a U-turn. imprisonment. possible,” said 25-year-old sponse to social movements”. The law student twice spent Observers say this leaves Ahmed Ghram. According to a study pub- 48 hours in custody after young people vulnerable The philosophy student, lished in 2020 by peace-build- anti-government protests in when they stand up to the au- sporting short clipped hair ing campaign group Interna- the capital Tunis in Decem- thorities. and earrings, was jailed for 15 tional Alert, where Barhoumi ber and January, and now Rania Amdouni, a 26-year- days in January over a Face- works, 17 per cent of 18 to 34- risks more than three years in old rights and democracy book post criticising inequal- year-olds from several mar- prison on charges including activist, was sentenced to ities in the legal system. ginalised areas in Tunisia said Syrian Kurds gather around a pyre during celebrations of Nowruz, the blocking roads and insulting six months in jail this month “We don’t feel safe. We are they had been arrested over Persian New Year, in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria’s a police officer. for insulting police officers, not free,” he said. the past year. AFP northeastern Hasakeh province on Saturday. AFP Greece to mark revolution bicentennial with 1821 allies

Greece will next week celebrate the to a defence ministry source. els, who took control of the entire Von Hess fanned the flames. nised Greece’s independence. 200th anniversary of the uprising that France has also loaned Greece an Peloponnese peninsula through use Hundreds of volunteers in what Yanni Kotsonis, professor of history created its modern state, a romantic 18th-century tapestry of Raphael’s of guerrilla tactics. became known as the Philhellenic at New York University’s Jordan Center revolution that experts say captivated Renaissance masterpiece The School The Friendly Society, a secret group movement also followed the example notes: “By establishing Greece as a both elites and the masses around of Athens, the French embassy said. of Greek expatriate merchants and of romantic icon Lord Byron, who state of Christians . . . [the great powers] the world. intellectuals, had earlier helped funded his own band of fighters were determining that the Balkans A national parade alongside Ath- Debt to Greece organise the uprising with clandes- before dying in the besieged town of were the new boundary of Europe. ens’ central Syntagma Square on With passion for Classical Greece tine meetings and funds. Messolonghi in 1824. What’s more, Greek sovereignty was March 25 – the date traditionally mounting among European elites The Greeks were a disparate mix of “Marathon looks on the sea; And an “innovation” compared with the associated with the revolution – will through the 17th and 18th centuries, regional chiefs, ex-bandits, warrior musing there an hour alone, I dream’d post-Napoleonic Wars settlement in feature mounted troops in tradition- “providing aid to modern Greeks came priests and veterans with prior experi- that Greece might still be free,” Byron Europe, said Ada Dialla, associate al costumes from the 1821 conflict to be seen as a ‘duty’ of Europeans, as ence in Ottoman-funded militias and wrote in his 1819 poem Don Juan. professor of European and Russian and the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars. the only possible way of repaying British, French and Russian armies, The volunteers included “former history at the Athens School of Fine Nations who helped the Greeks in Greece for its contribution to the birth including many of Albanian origin. Napoleonic soldiers, professional Arts. their near-decade-long struggle of occidental civilisation”, said Kon- By 1823, competing aims among revolutionaries, political refugees, She said: “For the first time the great against the Ottoman Empire will also stantina Zanou, a Mediterranean Stud- the rebels’ civilian and military lead- religious zealots, university gradu- powers clearly defined – however be represented. ies specialist at Columbia University. ers resulted in open civil war, and an ates and adventurers”, says Zanou. reluctantly – and connected a par- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote in 1824 invasion by the Ottoman vassal “Many went there with Pausanias ticular population [and not only a Mishustin and Prince Charles of Brit- his 1821 verse drama Hellas that “our state of Egypt nearly extinguished the and Plato under their arm,” she religious minority] with sovereignty.” ain and his wife Camilla will be in laws, our literature, our religion, our revolution. adds. The old hierarchy would again grap- attendance, the Greek prime minis- arts have their roots in Greece. But But abhorrence at widely reported ple with the issue in the European ter’s office said. for Greece . . . we might still have been civilian massacres by Ottoman forces A new nation revolutions of 1848 and the struggle A new coronavirus lockdown forced savages and idolaters”. – overshadowing news of Greek The Ottomans’ naval defeat to the for Italian and German unification, French President Emmanuel Macron In decline and distracted by war in atrocities – stirred Britain, France and British, French and Russians at Nava- notes Dialla. to pull out, but French Rafale and US Persia and an Albanian governor’s Russia to action. rino in October 1827, followed by a She argues: “In this sense the Greek F-16 jets will overfly the Greek capi- rebellion in northwestern Greece, in Sensational newspaper reports and second Russian victory two years Revolution was instrumental in tal, while the USS Eisenhower aircraft 1822 the Ottoman Empire sent an visceral works by prominent artists later, prompted the Sultan to sign the defining, or rather in redefining the carrier will dock in Crete, according army that was decimated by the reb- such as Eugene Delacroix and Peter 1830 Protocol of London that recog- confines of Europe.” AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Protesters defy Myanmar junta’s ‘fear campaign’ as death toll passes 230

rotesters returned “Who says we have to give to the streets across up because of unequal weap- Myanmar on March ons?” she wrote. “We are born 20, defying a junta-led for victory.” “campaignP of fear” as regional Outside of protests, the As- powers Indonesia and Malay- sistance Association for Politi- sia condemned the violence cal Prisoners (AAPP) monitor- deployed by security forces ing group said “casualties and against anti-coup demonstra- unprovoked shootings are in- tors. creasing day by day”. The country has been in tur- Local media reported a moil since the military ousted death overnight in the ruby- civilian leader Aung San Suu producing city of Mogok, Kyi in a February 1 coup, trig- when neighbourhood night gering a nationwide uprising guards were shot while on as protesters call for a return duty. to democracy. “One died on the spot last So far, more than 230 people night while two others are in have been killed in anti-coup critical condition in the hos- unrest, according to a local pital,” a rescue team member monitoring group, as security confirmed, declining to give forces have deployed tear gas, more details. rubber bullets and live rounds In the central city of Pakokku against protesters. along the Irrawaddy river, 39- But the movement has year-old Mar La Win stepped pushed ahead – albeit in out of her housing compound smaller numbers. on March 19 night and was Local media showed pro- immediately beset by security testers in gas masks gathering forces, her husband said. in northern Shan state, while “I heard them shooting and in the southern coastal city she fell down,” said Myint of Dawei, motorists hoisted Swe, who managed to escape posters of Suu Kyi and signs through smaller streets and that read: “End the dictator- hid with his three children at ship.” home. Sporadic demonstrations By March 20 morning he persisted on March 20 across was told by police to go to the the former capital Yangon, A protester jumps over a makeshift barricade during a crackdown by security forces on a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon’s mortuary to identify her body. Thaketa township on Friday. STR/AFP with a small group marching “She was covered in bruises on a residential area chanting rest, as security forces armed crackdowns this week – secu- declining to be named. shouting abuse at residents. on her forehead, thigh, and for the military to “Surren- with guns continue to root rity forces opened fire on resi- According to one AFP- Prominent activist Ei Thin- foot, but they said it was her der if you do not want life in out protesters sporting home- dents who tried to retaliate by verified video taken in the zar Maung remained defi- wound in her thigh [that killed prison!” made protection gear. throwing Molotov cocktails. township, security forces ant on social media, sending her],” he said. “I feel so bitter The country’s largest city has In Thaketa township – an A teenager was killed, shot stalked the streets, firing out a tweet with the hashtag about their inhumane action emerged as a hotspot for un- area that has seen continuous in the face, said a resident, continuously at random and #SpringRevolution. against my wife.” AFP Vietnamese-funded new NA building handed over to Laos A ceremony was held in Somphanh Phengkhammy He stressed that the contrac- Vientiane on March 20 to hand and Major General Nguyen tor’s workers had worked over the new National Assem- Quoc Dung, commander of round the clock to ensure the bly (NA) building to the Lao the Army Corps 11 of Vietnam, progress of the project despite legislature as a gift from the the general contractor of the the Covid-19 pandemic dis- Communist Party of Vietnam project. rupting the supply of materials and the Vietnamese state and Talking to a Vietnam News and equipment as well as the people. Agency reporter at the cere- mobilisation of technical staff The hand-over was made on mony, Somphanh, who also to deploy to the construction time to serve the first session headed the steering commit- site. of the 9th Lao National Assem- tee for the NA building project, While the project is not 100 bly from March 22-26. appreciated the efforts of the per cent complete, the build- Pro-democracy protesters pull down a shipping container set up as a wall by authorities to block access to the The ceremony was attended project’s management board, ing has been signed-off as nearby Grand Palace during an anti-government demonstration at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on Saturday. AFP by Vietnamese Deputy Minis- the investor and related units, ready for use at the first ses- ter of Construction Le Quang particularly the general con- sion of the ninth legislature of Hung, Lao NA vice-chairman tractor. Laos, which will not only elect Thai pro-democracy protesters clash key leaders of the Lao NA and government but also adopt the with police at Bangkok’s Grand Palace ninth five-year socio-econom- ic development plan for Laos. Thai police used water cannon and rubber bul- down, allowing a small opening. The Vietnamese construc- lets outside Bangkok’s Grand Palace on March “You’re breaking the law!” said the police over tion ministry’s Hung said the 20, after demonstrators broke through a barri- an announcer as protesters used ropes to pull project would be completed cade of shipping containers to demand reforms the lower containers out of place. by the end of June. to the kingdom’s unassailable monarchy. Once protesters were able to get through, The building, constructed at It was the latest night of unrest since Thai- they threw Molotov cocktails at dozens of police a cost of over $111 million, will land’s pro-democracy movement kicked off in who stood by with water cannon trucks about be the venue for meetings of July, calling for an overhaul of Prime Minister 100m away, using the jets to prevent protesters the Lao NA and important cer- Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration and a from coming closer. emonies. It will also serve cul- rewrite of a military-scripted constitution. “Release our friends!” protesters shouted, tural tours and research trips of But their most controversial demands have referring to prominent leaders who have been people, students and tourists. been for reforms to the monarchy, including detained since earlier this year. The project was gifted as a the abolition of royal defamation laws. Police chased demonstrators away from the symbol of the “great friend- A wall of cargo containers, two containers area, firing rubber bullets continuously directly at ship”, “special solidarity” and tall, had been erected in Sanam Luang, a his- them, according to AFP reporters on the ground. “comprehensive cooperation” toric field in front of the palace, to keep protest- By 8:30 pm (1330 GMT), most protesters had A corner of the general hall inside Laos’ National Assembly building. between the two countries. VIET ers away but, just an hour into the rally, they dispersed, with only hard-core activists still at VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK used ropes to yank some of the top-row boxes the scene. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Reimagining diplomacy in post-Covid www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng world: An Indian perspective Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Opinion Deputy Chief of Staff Dr S Jaishankar phak Seangly Business Editor May Kunmakara E ENTER 2021, hoping Deputy Business Editor to put the Covid-19 Sangeetha amarthalingam pandemic behind us. Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk While each society has pan Simala Wdealt with it uniquely, global diplo- Senior Reporters macy will nevertheless focus on com- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng mon concerns and shared lessons. Reporters Much of that revolves around the Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, nature of globalisation. Our generation has been condi- Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Mom Kunthear, tioned to think of that largely in eco- Hong Raksmey, pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, nomic terms. The general sense is one of trade, finance, services, com- Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha munication, technology and mobili- Photographers ty. This expresses the interdepend- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey ence and interpenetration of our era. Web Editor What Covid-19, however, brought out Leang phannara was the deeper indivisibility of our Digital Team existence. Real globalisation is more Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy about pandemics, climate change SIEM REAP BUREAU and terrorism. They must constitute Offi ce Manager the core of diplomatic deliberations. Sophearith Blondeel As we saw in 2020, overlooking such PRODUCTION & PRINTING challenges comes at a huge cost. Head of Desktop Publishing Despite its many benefits, the Nhim Sokphyrak world has also seen strong reactions Desktop Publishing to globalisation. Much of that arises Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath from unequal benefits, between and Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna within societies. Regimes and dis- The first consignments of Made in India vaccines have reached not only our neighbours like Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius, pensations that are oblivious to such Seychelles and Sri Lanka but partners far beyond like Brazil and Morocco. afp happenings are therefore being chal- lenged. We must ensure that this is and maximise its recovery rate. An Its renewable energy targets have of the digital domain. Whether it was HEAD OFFICE not about winners and losers, but international comparison of these multiplied, its forest cover has grown, contact tracing or the provision of Post Media Co., Ltd. about nurturing sustainable commu- numbers tells its own story. Not just its bio-diversity has expanded and its financial and food support, India’s The Elements Condominium Level 7, nities everywhere. that, India also stepped forward as focus on water utilisation has digital focus after 2014 has yielded Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Covid-19 has also redefined our the pharmacy of the world, supplying increased. Practices honed at home impressive results. The “work from Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom understanding of security. Until now, medicines to more than 150 coun- are now applied to its development anywhere” practice was as strongly Penh, Cambodia nations thought largely in military, tries, many as grants. partnerships in Africa and elsewhere. enhanced by Covid-19 as the “study Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 intelligence, economic, and perhaps, As our nation embarks on a mass By example and energy, Indian diplo- from home” one. All these will help Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 cultural terms. Today, they will not vaccination effort, Prime Minister macy is leading the way, including expand the toolkit of India’s develop- Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 only assign greater weight to health Narendra Modi’s assurance that it through the International Solar Alli- ment programmes abroad and assist SIEM REAP security but increasingly worry about would help make vaccines accessible ance and the Coalition for Disaster the recovery of many partners. No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune trusted and resilient supply chains. and affordable to the world is already Resilient Infrastructure initiatives. 2020 also saw the largest repatriation Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 The stresses of the Covid-19 era being implemented. The first con- The challenge of countering terror- exercise in history – the return home COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT brought out the fragility of our cur- of more than four million Indians. This Chief Operating Offi cer rent situation. Additional engines of alone brings out the importance of James Ong Soon Teck growth are needed to de-risk the glo- A return to normalcy in 2021 mobility in contemporary times. As Advertising Department bal economy, as indeed is more smart manufacturing and the knowl- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 transparency and market-viability. will mean safer travel, better edge economy take deeper root, the Hun Channet, 017 578 768 Multilateral institutions have not need for trusted talent will surely grow. prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 come out well from this experience. health, economic revival and Facilitating its movement through Keo puthy, 012 966 605 Quite apart from controversies sur- diplomacy is in the global interest. phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 rounding them, there was not even a digitally driven services A return to normalcy in 2021 will Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 pretence of a collective response to the mean safer travel, better health, eco- CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION most serious global crisis since 1945. signments of Made in India vaccines ism and radicalisation is also a formi- nomic revival and digitally driven Acting Distribution Manager This is cause for serious introspection. have reached not only our neigh- dable one. As a society, long subjected services. They will be expressed in new Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Reforming multilateralism is essential bours like Bhutan, Maldives, Bangla- to cross-border terrorist attacks, India conversations and fresh understand- Circulation Supervisor to creating effective solutions. desh, Nepal, Mauritius, Seychelles has been active in enhancing global ings. The world after Covid-19 will be Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Fashioning a robust response to the and Sri Lanka but partners far awareness and encouraging coordinat- more multi-polar, pluralistic and Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 Covid-19 challenge is set to dominate beyond like Brazil and Morocco. ed action. It will be a major focus in rebalanced. And India, with its experi- ADMINISTRATION global diplomacy in 2021. In its own Other key global challenges today India’s diplomacy as a non-permanent ences, will help make a difference. Admin & HR Manager way, India has set an example. That it deserve similar attention. As a central member of the UN Security Council pich Socheat has done by defying prophets of participant in reaching the Paris and in forums like FATF and G20. The writer is Indian minister of external affairs Assistants Admin & HR Manager doom and creating the health where- agreement, India has stood firm with Among the takeaways from the Cov- and author of The India Way: Strategies for an Nhel Soaphea withal to minimise its fatality rate regard to combating climate change. id-19 experience has been the power Uncertain World Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Record snowfall deeply wounds Madrid’s trees

igh among the treetops huge sadness when I saw all the fallen the sound of a chainsaw trees,” said Pablo Fernandez Santos, a rings out and a huge senior forestry engineer, describing it branch comes crashing as “an environmental disaster”. downH as Madrid’s forestry engineers Worst-hit was Casa de Campo, a move from tree to tree, repairing the vast 1,500ha forest park west of the damage from the record snowfall city, where 500,000 out of its 700,000 seen in January. trees were damaged and one in five It has been over two months since completely destroyed. Storm Filomena hit the Spanish Evergreens – such as pines, holm capital, blanketing the city in the oaks and cedars – bore the brunt, as heaviest snowfall in 50 years. their needles and leaves caught the But while delighted residents snow. revelled in the winter wonderland, By contrast, deciduous trees suf- the weather event spelled disaster fered far less, says Mariano Sanchez, for Madrid’s 1.7 million city-owned a tree expert from Madrid’s Botani- trees, with hundreds of thousands cal Gardens. of branches collapsing under the “Although the trees have adapted weight of the snow. to cope with the wind and rain in “Some 800,000 trees were affected Madrid, they weren’t ready for this in one way or another. Of that num- snowfall. They were overloaded, the ber, 120,000 won’t survive because wood couldn’t support the weight they were totally uprooted or had and the branches broke.” to be felled,” said Borja Carabante, Trees with very wide crowns may head of environmental issues at City have supported up to “five or six Hall in Madrid. tonnes” of snow, says Antonio Mor- “The damage to our green heritage cillo, deputy head of green conser- has been very significant.” vation at City Hall. Across the city, the devastation In Madrid’s historic Retiro park, 70 was shockingly evident, with streets per cent of its 17,400 trees were dam- and pavements blocked and the aged, 1,000 of them beyond repair. parks closed for six weeks. By comparison, the last major in- cident recorded in Madrid in 1885 ‘Environmental disaster’ was a typhoon that toppled 1,600 “Everyone was very excited, but I felt trees in the Retiro, Sanchez says. People walk over fallen branches in Madrid on January 9 after Storm Filomena brought the heaviest snowfall in the region for 50 years. afp

‘Green lungs’ ties know how much tree cover has down wreckage from a battered pine The Spanish government has de- been lost, they are looking at that and huge piles of branches were re- clared the area a catastrophe zone, now and how it could impact on the moved to be turned into compost or “which means there’s been very sig- temperature. used to generate electricity. nificant damage”, says Carabante, “There is a widespread belief that While the urgent work is over, ex- estimating the total cost to be more trees are the solution . . . but you perts must keep a close eye on badly than €100,000 ($120,000). must go to the root of the problem. wounded specimens, says forestry But the extent of the environmen- “We have the highest levels in Eu- engineer Fernandez Santos. tal impact on Madrid’s “green lungs” rope of nitrogen dioxide emissions The city has set up a committee remains unclear. and you can’t fix it by planting more of experts to draw up a replanting Trees generate huge benefits for cit- trees but by improving transport.” strategy, which will be published in ies such as carbon dioxide retention the coming months. and pollution filtration, while also re- ‘Quality over quantity’ For Sanchez, it is “an opportunity” ducing the “urban heat-island” effect Over the past two months, forestry to rethink the city’s treescape and – increasingly important as climate experts have been involved in an in- give new saplings the space to put change accelerates, experts say. tensive triage operation, which at its down deep roots and grow without Juan Garcia Vicente of Spanish NGO peak saw 3,500 people working to pruning. Ecologists in Action says it is not yet clear the damage. “In a city, we need trees for shade, clear how the damage will affect tem- “We have collected nearly 21,000 to remove contamination and pro- tonnes of remains,” says conserva- People sit at a terrace near fallen trees and snow in Madrid on January 14. The city’s peratures in a city with an arid climate vide oxygen. If you prune, they can’t 1.7 million city-owned trees, with hundreds of thousands of branches collapsing under that is getting hotter by the year. tion official Morcillo, as workers do that,” he said. “It’s about quality the weight of the snow. afp He said: “Not even the authori- in green-and-yellow jumpsuits cut over quantity.” afp Immersive sauna art exhibition opens in Tokyo, Japan

It’s the hottest new exhibition artworks in a so-called “sauna erworldly experiences. sation, and become one with visitors, it could all get too Increasing the sweat factor, in town – an immersive digital trance”. “By taking alternating hot the art,” the group said. much – warning them not to visitors are also required to art experience filled with Exhibits include fluttering and cold baths, visitors open But an instruction sheet pro- “overdo it” in the sauna rooms wear a mask inside the exhibi- futuristic light installations butterfly illuminations, “solid- their minds, experience an vided at a preview event and to make sure to drink tion, which will run until that doubles up as a sauna ified light crystals”, and a large ever-expanding physical sen- acknowledged that for some water frequently. August 31. afp complex. red sphere that radiates The sweaty but spectacular through the darkness. art show in Tokyo, which was Some of the viewing spaces set to open on March 22, allows also feature streams of cold visitors to “experience art in water or cooling mist to create their finest mental state”. a physical, as well as esoteric, People must wear swimsuits impression. but can put indoor clothing on The exhibition, called Recon- top to enter the exhibition, nect: Art with Rinkan Sauna, which contains seven saunas is the latest offering from the of various temperatures lit up Japanese art collective team- atmospherically in bold col- Lab, which collaborated with ours from magenta to deep video app TikTok on the green. project. After a few minutes relaxing Internationally renowned in the heat – followed by a cold for their innovative digital art, shower to pique the senses – teamLab’s work combines pro- they can wander through dif- jections, sound and carefully A staff member walks inside an interactive installation Ephemeral Staff members sit in front of the interactive digital installation Proliferating ferent rooms to marvel at the designed spaces to create oth- Solidified Light in the Roppongi district of Tokyo on March 15. afp Immense Life in the Rain - A Whole Year per Year. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Email: [email protected] Socialite 13

Thailand donates $100,000 to help quarantined Cambodian workers

Minister of Foreign Af- fairs and International Coop- eration HE Prak Sokhonn last Friday received a cheque for $100,000 from the Ambas- sador of the Kingdom of Thai- land HE Panyarak Poolthup. The money will be used to support the essential needs of Cambodian migrant workers in Covid-19 quarantine centres

along the Cambodia-Thailand S U PP LIED border. photos photos

Japan funds grassroots assistance in five provinces Japan has provided $483,204 under its “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects” – better known as the “Kusanone” grant – to fund five projects. These include installing equipment for the production of bioethanol from the water hyacinth in Kampong Chhnang, the construction of a maternity ward at Toul Health Centre in Mondulkiri province, the building of an in-patient department (IPD) ward at the Chhep Health Centre in Preah Vihear province, providing a mobile rehabilitation clinic for remote areas of Siem Reap province and installing medical equipment at the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Infirmary in Preah Sihanouk province.

Goldwell steps up financial education drive Derivatives broker Goldwell Capital on Wednesday inked a memorandum of understanding with Hong Kong-based First Asia Merchants Bullion Limited to improve the quality of financial education. The partnership will enable investors, traders and individuals to acquire essential skills

and knowledge regarding the financial market as well as diversify their investment portfolios. The S U PP LIED S U PP LIED online event was graced by the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia director-general HE Sou Socheat. photo photo photos 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Tastes tended towards contemporary figurative paintings, especially from Africans such as Ghana’s Amoako Boafo. afp Online sales prevent art auction collapse surprisingly global, with auction houses in ing under stricter Chinese rapid shift online Belgium or Sweden now able control in recent months, it helped cushion the to easily tap clients in Singa- has remained a major base art market from the pore or Indonesia. for global art sales, with So- worstA ravages of the coronavi- “The market was 30 years theby’s doing a quarter of its rus pandemic although sales behind the times. It has made business there, Artprice said. “JOIN FORCES” still fell by a fifth last year, an up the gap in just one year, Meanwhile, sales in Europe Artprice report said. when even the most optimis- dropped precipitously, with ACROSS 53 Achilles, for one 24 Antidrug officer Artprice, the France-based tic projections had predicted Britain, France and Italy all 1 Contemptible one 55 Gross, in a way 26 Medical practitioners, for short leader in art market data, it would take until 2025,” said down by around a third. The ex- 6 Quick flightless bird 56 One curl, e.g. 27 Aquarium beauty said the digital transforma- Ehrmann ception was Germany, relatively 10 Stinging sensation 59 Sign for some alcohol sellers 29 Student in uniform tion of auctions amounted to untouched in the first wave of 14 Telemarketing, e.g. 62 Isn’t getting any younger 30 That WNBA player 31 Hand wringer’s feeling a “revolution” in the way fine Chinese growth the pandemic, where sales were 15 “Good for what ___ ya” 63 Big beef piece 33 Lunchbox item art is sold after lockdowns China’s success in contain- up 11 per cent for the year. 16 Very enthusiastic 64 Albacores 35 Girl at the barre forced change on a slow- ing the Covid-19 outbreak As for individual sales, the 17 Like a healthy mule? 65 Canonical hour 36 Italian province or its capital moving industry. propelled it back to the top of highest price was a Francis 20 Sleep state, for short 66 Apple growth retardant 37 500 sheets of paper “It’s been a spectacular the sales charts, dominating Bacon triptych sold by Sothe- 21 Persuade 67 Bakery elevator? 39 Pint-glass filler shift that has gone beyond the market with 39 per cent of by’s for $84.5 million, while 22 Jason’s was golden DOWN 40 A major U.S. broadcaster expectations and despite the global fine art sales by value. graffiti artist Banksy sold the 1 Russian sovereign, once (Var.) 23 Hardly major, as record labels go 41 Vane direction reluctance of certain auction The US, which topped the most works – nearly 900. 2 A ridge, especially on cloth 25 At one time, at one time 45 Child with the most responsibili- houses,” said its president chart for the previous four Tastes tended towards con- 3 Do away with 26 Portuguese lady ties, traditionally Thierry Ehrmann. years, was on 27 per cent, temporary figurative paint- 4 Accelerate (with “up”) 28 Majestic entrance 46 It clears the boards Digitisation has opened with Britain in third on 16 per ings, Artprice added, espe- 5 Ersatz intellectual 32 Eyeball-bending paintings 47 Village of yore 6 Texas ballplayer up auctions to a huge new cent. cially from Africans such as 34 Two or more eras (Var.) 49 A very light brown 7 Take cover customer base, particularly That speaks not just to Ghana’s Amoako Boafo. 35 Room with a draft? 50 Take on new territory 8 Red deer or wapiti 30- and 40-year-olds, who wealthy Chinese collectors, but In the gloom of the pan- 38 Fisherman’s option 52 Accord 9 “Dream on!” rarely dabbled in the market a booming domestic art scene demic, “the top-level market 42 Feminine pronoun 53 “___ the night before ...” 10 Grocery store section previously. – a previous Artprice report remains keen on lively, joy- 43 Hamburgers are at its mouth 54 Atlantis’ owner 11 Brown, Penn, etc. They are mostly after con- from late 2020 showed that 395 ous and audacious figurative 44 1945 conference city 55 Icelandic epic 12 Color lightly temporary art, Ehrmann said, of the top 1,000 highest-selling paintings” from artists such 57 Passengers’ concerns, briefly 45 Emulated Bob the Builder 13 Periphery which accounts for some 16 artists are Chinese, compared as Roy Lichtenstein, David 58 “Check this out!” 48 Willowy 18 “Casta diva,” e.g. 60 Soccer zero per cent of sales. with just 165 for the US. Hockney and French-Chinese 49 Aromatic ointment 19 Without a hitch Online also means more Despite Hong Kong com- painter San Yu. afp 51 66, notably 61 Wish it weren’t so Friday’s solution

Friday’s solution

Technicians pose with a painting entitled Nichols Canyon by British artist David Hockney. A surprisingly rapid shift online helped cushion the art market from the worst ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Brighton thrash Lewandowski hits hat-trick as Newcastle in relegation battle RIGHTON surged six points clear of the Premier League 10-man Bayern thrash Stuttgart Brelegation zone with a com- OBERT Lewandowski scored prehensive 3-0 win over Newcastle a hat-trick on Saturday as on Saturday to pile more pressure Bundesliga leaders Bayern on Magpies boss Steve Bruce. Munich romped to a 4-0 Leandro Trossard, Danny Welbeck homeR win over Stuttgart despite losing and Neal Maupay were on target for Alphonso Davies to a red card in the the Seagulls as for once this season 12th minute. Graham Potter’s men turned their Stuttgart chief executive Thomas dominance into goals. Hitzlsperger described Lewandows- “Our performances in between the ki’s performance as “something boxes have been really good, we’ve above world class”. just been a bit short in the boxes,” The result keeps Bayern four said Potter. “The game becomes a points clear at the top after second- bit easier when you score.” placed RB Leipzig won 1-0 at Armin- Brighton had won just once at ia Bielefeld on Friday. home in the league since June, Lewandowski has scored 35 league but increased Newcastle’s relega- goals this season to leave him just tion fears. five short of Gerd Mueller’s all- Bruce’s men remain just two time Bundesliga record of 40, set in points clear of third-bottom Fulham, 1971/72. albeit with a game in hand to come. “I just keep thinking from game to However, momentum is against game and not how many more goals Newcastle as they have won just two I have to score,” said Lewandowski, of their last 19 games. who netted with his left foot, right foot “It’s difficult to digest at the mo- and head for a ‘perfect’ hat-trick. ment. We simply weren’t anywhere Davies received an early red card near good enough on the night,” at the Allianz Arena for a tackle on said Bruce. the ankle of Stuttgart’s Japan mid- “Fair play to Brighton, they were fielder Wataru Endo. better in every department.” “After that we woke up,” said Le- The visitors also suffered the wandowski. Bayern responded with latest in a series of injury blows as a burst of three goals in five minutes. Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (right) celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the German first division Isaac Hayden was stretchered off Bundesliga football match against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. ANDREAS GEBERT/POOL/AFP Lewandowski beat two defenders before half-time with what looked to tap home a Serge Gnabry cross on like a serious knee problem. 18 minutes. Haaland equaliser Ondrej Duda netted the spot-kick. goal just before the break. Brighton took advantage of the A superb exchange of passes be- Elsewhere, Erling Braut Haaland A mistake by Dortmund defender Later, Borussia Moenchenglad- first-half stoppage time added on tween Leroy Sane and Thomas Mu- rescued Borussia Dortmund with Thomas Meunier allowed Germany bach ended their slide down the for the Hayden injury as Trossard eller set up Gnabry to score Bayern’s two goals, including a late equaliser, Under-21 winger Ismail Jakobs to fire league table with a 3-0 win at bot- smartly brought the ball under second on 22 minutes. in a 2-2 draw at strugglers Cologne. Cologne into a 2-1 lead with an hour tom side Schalke with goals by Lars control and cut inside before Just 77 seconds later, Lewandows- The 20-year-old Norway star gone. Stindl and Stefan Lainer. finding the bottom corner with a ki headed home Mueller’s cross stormed off the pitch at the final Haaland hit the post with a tower- Schalke goalkeeper Frederik Ron- well-struck shot. and the Poland star wrapped up his whistle as Dortmund’s defensive ing header before stabbing in Dort- now summed up the home side’s Ryan Fraser came closest to a treble six minutes before half-time weaknesses were again exposed. mund’s equaliser. luck when he parried a header by Newcastle response when he hit the with a low shot. Dortmund, who face Manchester Fifth-placed Dortmund are four points Nico Elvedi, but the ball carried over post shortly after the restart. “We paid dearly. They scored City in the Champions League quar- from the Champions League spots. the goalline. But it was Brighton who doubled with every chance,” said Stuttgart ter-finals next month, were heading Eintracht Frankfurt, the club imme- The away win ended Gladbach’s their lead on 51 minutes when Wel- sporting director Sven Mislintat. to defeat before Haaland struck on diately above them, cruised to a 5-2 awful run of seven defeats since it beck followed Trossard’s example Davies and Jerome Boateng 90 minutes after also giving the visi- home win over Union Berlin as Portu- was announced head coach Marco with a precise low finish into the far will both be suspended for Bay- tors an early lead. gal striker Andre Silva netted twice. Rose was leaving to take charge of corner from outside the area. ern’s April 3 showdown at Leipzig. Dortmund’s England midfielder Wolfsburg consolidated third Dortmund next season. Maupay rounded off the scoring Boateng picked up a first-half yel- Jude Bellingham gave away a first-half place with a 2-1 win at Werder Bre- Gladbach are ninth while Schalke 22 minutes from time by volleying low card, his fifth this season. penalty when a VAR review showed he men as Dutch striker Wout Weghorst are 12 points from escaping the bot- home Pascal Gross’s cross. AFP had blocked a shot with his arm and hit what proved to be the winning tom three. AFP Belgian rider Stuyven defeats favourites for first M‘ onument’ BELGIAN rider Jasper Stuyven serves as a springboard for the ryone was waiting for the big explo- ambushed the favourites to snatch punchers towards a tense finale. sion [of the peloton]. victory in Saturday’s Milan-San Remo As expected, Alaphilippe, winner in “I managed to stay in the front group. one-day classic for the first ‘Monu- 2019, went on the attack after some At the top of the hill, I decided that I ment’ success of his career. forcing by Ineos, especially Italian would attack and give it all or nothing. The Trek rider attacked late and held Filippo Ganna. “There were no helpers left in that off the sprinters, with Australian Caleb But the French world champion, group, but the big three [Van der Poel, Ewan second, ahead of last year’s win- closely followed by Van Aert, could van Aert, Alaphilippe] were there, I ner Wout van Aert of Belgium. not widen the gap, unlike the winners knew they would look a little bit at The 28-year-old Stuyven took the big- in the two previous races, crossing in each other. gest win of his career with a well-timed 16th place. “The one who closed the gap wasn’t attack with 2.5km to go in the 299km At the summit of the Poggio, 5.5km going to win. I had to believe in my race across north-western Italy. from the finish, a group of a dozen chances until the end. They were Ewan led a late sprint ahead of Van riders swung into the lead and tack- coming from the back. Aert under the sunshine towards the led a fast-paced descent behind Brit- “It was the hardest final metres of finish line on the Via Roma in San Remo, ain’s Tom Pidcock. my career, but I’ve won other races but Stuyven had already taken victory. Stuyven tried his luck at the bottom in a similar way. “This time, I’m pretty disappoint- of the descent and was joined in the “It’s one of my strengths, to stay out ed,” said Ewan, the Lotto–Soudal last mile by Team DSM’s Soren Kragh front if they give me the gap. Winning Team Trek rider Jasper Stuyven (center) celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win rider already second in 2018 behind Andersen, sitting on the Dane’s wheel a Monument this way is really nice.” the one-day classic cycling race Milan-San Remo on Saturday. Tommaso PELAGALLI/AFP Italian Vincenzo Nibali. before launching his sprint from afar. “It’s always a lottery. I took a risk at The former world junior champion ‘Missed opportunity’ ished fourth for the fifth time. make a difference. It was difficult to the end as that’s what I had to do to has won nine races since turning pro- Slovakian Peter Sagan finished “It’s a bittersweet Milan-San Remo make the right decision in the end,” win. In the end, we waited too long. fessional in 2014, but his best ‘Monu- fourth with Van der Poel, among the for me,” said Sagan, who has never sighed the 2020 winner. Hopefully next time.” ment’ finish was fourth in the Paris- favourites after his Strade Bianche won the Italian ‘Spring’ classic in 11 “Once we hit the bottom, Jasper There was also bitter disappoint- Roubaix in 2017. win this month, in fifth. appearances. went on the attack, which was a real- ment for favourites Van Aert, Mathieu “There were three very strong rid- Dutchman Van der Poel had dreamed Van Aert also lamented getting it ly good move. van der Poel and Julian Alaphilippe. ers at the start and we didn’t think we of winning 60 years after his French wrong, torn between the desire to attack “It was a bit hard for me to chase The trio had eyed each other would win,” said Stuyven. grandfather Raymond Poulidor. and save himself for the final sprint in and a lot of the guys were looking at throughout the day, especially on the “But I was having a great day. Sagan was “a little angry to have the first ‘Monument’ of the season. me. I just came short at the end and final Poggio climb which usually “We knew that on the Poggio eve- missed the opportunity” as he fin- “I attacked, but not fast enough to Caleb Ewan was a bit faster.” AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport ‘Incredible’ France finish denies Wales Six Nations Grand Slam ugby star Brice Dulin mack made it a seven-point game scored an “incredible” inju- with a penalty after a no-arms tackle ry-time try to help 14-man from the influential Justin Tipuric. France to a 32-30 home win overR Wales and stop the visitors from Busy TMO Barnes claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam. Despite the points, Wales kept a Lock Paul Willemse was sent off stranglehold on the game as they for the hosts, who can claim the sensed a 12th tournament clean sweep championship title on March 26 approaching, and a fourth for skipper should they seal a bonus-point vic- Jones. tory over Scotland with a winning They were ruled against once points margin of at least 21. again by TMO Wayne Barnes before France coach Fabien Galthie told Biggar slotted a penalty for a 30-20 France Televisions: “The team be- score on the hour. lieved in their stars, their destiny and France then spurned a shot a goal for their ability to climb the mountain. a kick to the corner, Barnes again in ac- “We knew what was at stake, we tion to rule that hooker Julien March- knew the opponents, the dynamic and had been held up by three Welsh- they were in, so we knew what to ex- man over the line after a rolling maul. pect but the scenario is incredible.” As France camped in the Wales Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said 22m, they worked an overlap and losing two players to the sin bin in Dulin found a way over but the score the closing 10 minutes proved costly. was chalked off as Barnes spotted He told the BBC: “I thought we were Willemse’s foul play at a ruck. pretty good for 80 minutes but it was The South African-born lock was just those dying seconds. Our ill disci- adjudged to have made contact pline brought a lot of pressure on. with the eye area of Wales prop Wyn “Credit to France for those last 15 Jones and was shown a red card with minutes. When we look back, the 12 minutes left, a third opposition discipline brought the pressure on France’s scrum-half Antoine Dupont (centre) is tackled by Wales’ scrum-half Tomos Williams (left) and Wales’ prop Wyn Jones (right) player sent off against Wales during as well as superb French play.” during the Six Nations rugby union tournament match between France and Wales on Saturday at the Stade de France in Sain-Denis, this year’s Six Nations. outside Paris. AFP France kept on pressuring the Wales Firing out the blocks reth Davies was held up in-goal by Wales responded for a second time second penalty to make it 20-17 af- line and Welsh No8 Taulupe Faletau France came firing out of the blocks, Charles Ollivon and Gael Fickou. in an entertaining opening quarter, ter 47 minutes. and full-back Liam Williams were both showing their intent by choosing to From the resulting scrum Wayne Pi- Josh Navidi burrowing over to claim Their quick pace at ruck was too shown yellow cards for cynical play. kick to the corner over taking a pen- vac’s Welsh team worked through six his first international five-pointer, much for the France defence and In a dramatic finale, French skip- alty goal after five minutes as they phases and Dan Biggar went over on with Biggar adding the extras to following a lovely grubber kick and per Ollivon scored and with Nta- searched for a bonus-point victory. a smart crashball, also converting to draw level. favourable reading by the televi- mack’s points from the tee it was Two lineouts later and lock Ro- bring the sides level after 13 minutes. Biggar and replacement France sion match official, Josh Adams was a three-point game with as many main Taofifenua crashed over from The hosts reacted within 90 seconds fly-half Romain Ntamack, on for Ja- awarded a try despite Dylan Cretin’s minutes remaining. a pick-and-go, with Matthieu Jalib- as Dulin put up a clever chip over the libert after a blow to his jaw, traded last-ditch defensive effort. After a series of drives led to space ert converting. Wales defence, Jalibert catching and penalties to make it 17-17 at the in- Biggar took his tally to 17 points out wide, Dulin duly crossed in the Wales’ first foray into the opposi- passing on to halfback partner An- terval with Wales in the ascendancy. for proceedings as Wales led 27-17 corner with the clock 94 seconds tion half followed the restart and toine Dupont to go behind the sticks. They maintained the momentum with half an hour left. into the red to spoil the Welsh party they were denied a score as Ga- Jalibert added the extras before after the break and Biggar added a France responded swiftly and Nta- and keep French hopes alive. AFP Man City late shows books place in FA Cup semi-finals

Top English football club Manchester favourites to repeat that feat. and end the resistance from Carlo the better ones in the [recent] past,” Manchester United were set to travel City’s quest for an unprecedented Guardiola’s men are 14 points clear Ancelotti’s men. said Hasenhuttl. to Leicester in a clash between the quadruple of trophies remains intact at the top of the Premier League, face De Bruyne then wrapped up the tie “I said in January that now is the teams second and third in the Premier after seeing off Everton 2-0 to reach struggling Tottenham in the League with a thundering finish in stoppage time to take this chance because it’s League, while Chelsea aimed to con- the FA Cup semi-finals on March 20 Cup final next month and were drawn time as Everton appealed in vain for always a good chance for a smaller tinue Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten start as Southampton also booked their against Borussia Dortmund in the a high boot by Mahrez on Mina. club like we are to write history.” in charge at Stamford Bridge against place in the last four. quarter-finals of the Champions In March 21’s two quarter-finals, managerless Sheffield United. AFP City were far from their flowing best League on March 19. Chance to ‘write history’ at Goodison Park, but goals in the Oleksandr Zinchenko cleared Ever- Southampton cast aside their Pre- final six minutes from Ilkay Gundog- ton defender Yerry Mina’s header off mier League struggles to ease past an and Kevin De Bruyne booked the line with the best effort either side Bournemouth 3-0 to reach the semi- City’s place in the semi-finals for the mustered before half-time. finals. fourth time in five seasons. Joao Virginia started in goal for The Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have Pep Guardiola described the clash Toffees for just the second time due slumped into the Premier League as the toughest his side have had since to injuries to regular goalkeepers Jor- relegation battle after losing 10 of November as they recorded a 25th win dan Pickford and Robin Olsen. their last 12 top-flight matches. in 26 matches in all competitions. However, the 21-year-old Portu- But the Saints have been immune to He said: “It was the toughest game guese stopper produced a brilliant those woes in the FA Cup and booked since the last international break we save early in the second-half to pre- a place in the Wembley semi-finals had. We have been incredible in vent Raheem Sterling converting thanks to Nathan Redmond’s double terms of results and performances Fernandinho’s pinpoint low cross. after Moussa Djenepo’s opener. [over that period]. Guardiola was forced to introduce While Premier League survival is “Tonight was so difficult, they have Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne off the the priority, Hasenhuttl insisted the experienced players behind the ball bench in the final quarter. FA Cup was a “big target” and he with two up for the counter-attack. But it was Aymeric Laporte who made just two changes against a “It was incredible commitment from opened Everton up as he broke for- Bournemouth team who sat seventh my players. An incredible victory.” ward from centre-back before Vir- in the Championship. City won the domestic treble of Pre- ginia brilliantly turned the French- “I’m definitely happy, not only for Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (right) scores his team’s second mier League, FA Cup and League Cup man’s initial effort onto the crossbar. coming to the next round but also for goal past Everton’s English midfielder Ben Godfrey (left) during the English FA Cup for the first time in English football Gundogan was following up, seeing a performance from my team quarter final football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in history two seasons ago and are firm though, to head into an empty net that was very lively and by far one of Liverpool, north west England on Saturday. POOL/AFP