wednesday, july 21, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3711 / 4000 RIEL New UK trade rules to profit exporters

Thou Vireak UK embassy in Phnom Penh of origin requirements for Cambodia’s businesses to access sion and provide opportuni- said in a press release on July countries exporting to the UK, the UK market more easily. ties and greater access for THE UK government on July 19 19: “The UK Developing Coun- allowing countries to diversify “I encourage people here in Cambodian goods to the UK. launched a consultation on tries Trading Scheme [DCTS] their exports and grow their Cambodia to contribute to this “If the new preferential sys- new trading rules designed to is a major opportunity to grow economies,” it said. important consultation, which tem is easier to implement stimulate commercial transac- free and fair trade with devel- British ambassador to Cam- is open to all,” she said. under the existing British GSP ADB PROJECT UPS tions with lower-income oping nations. bodia Tina Redshaw said: “The Ministry of Commerce [General Scheme of Prefer- nations, including Cambodia. “The proposed scheme proposed DCTS scheme signals undersecretary of state Pen ences], we welcome it based HEALTH SYSTEM And the Royal Government would apply to 70 qualifying the UK’s appetite to promote Sovicheat told The Post that on the conviction that we will of Cambodia is keen to seize countries currently and global free and fair trade, as well Cambodia welcomes any pref- have more opportunities to AGAINST CLIMATE the initiative and develop include improvements such as as demonstrating our commit- erential trade system that CHANGE THREAT deeper trade ties with the UK. lower tariffs and simpler rules ment to Cambodia, by enabling could benefit market expan- Continued – page 6 national – page 3 Beijing: US’ Microsoft hack claims ‘fabricated’ CHINA on July 20 said the US had “fabricated” allega- KINGDOM SELLS tions it carried out a massive Microsoft hack, counter- OVER 52% MORE ing that Washington was the “world champion” of cyberat- FISHERIES GOODS tacks while chiding US allies for signing up to a rare joint TO INT’L MARKETS statement of condemnation. The US on July 19 ac- business – page 8 cused Beijing of carrying out the March cyberattack on Microsoft Exchange, a top email server for corpora- tions around the world, and charged four Chinese nation- als over the “malicious” hack. President Joe Biden told re- porters that the US was still completing an investigation before taking any countermea- sures. “The Chinese govern- ment, not unlike the Russian COVID-19 SURGE government, is not doing this As a man sows themselves, but are protecting OVERWHELMING those who are doing it, and may- Farmers sow rice seeds for the monsoon-season, or long-cycle, crop in Prey Veng province’s Por Rieng district on Sunday. Hean Rangsey be even accommodating them VOLUNTEERS IN being able to do it,” he said. The US coordinated its state- MYANMAR CITY ment on July 19 with allies – the WORLD – Page10 EU, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and NATO. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian Covid centres to upsize told reporters in Beijing: “The US has mustered its allies to car- ry out unreasonable criticisms against China on the issue of cybersecurity … This move is fabricated out of nothing.” ahead of migrant influx The Chinese embassy in New Zealand called the al- Mom Kunthear Hun Manith, head of the their 14-day quarantines at bodia. All provinces have legations “totally ground- CARICATURIST sub-commission, also or- the border and had left for to prepare their quarantine less and irresponsible” while HE national Covid- dered an extension of the their individual provinces. centres to receive people the embassy in Australia ac- INSPIRING 19 sub-commission quarantine period for re- In an audio message on who will be transferred to cused Canberra of “parrot- for exit-entrance turning migrant work- July 20, Manith said the them from the border areas. ing the rhetoric of the US”. LAUGHTER IN control and quar- ers from 14 to 21 days. moves were made in con- “In our previous instruc- “It is well known that the antineT has instructed pro- The move came after some sultation with all of the rel- tions, the quarantine period US has engaged in unscru- BATTAMBANG vincial authorities to expand Covid-19 cases, particularly evant sub-commissions and was set at 14 days at the bor- pulous, massive and indis- their quarantine centres the coronavirus Delta vari- inter-ministerial bodies. ders. They [migrant workers] criminate eavesdropping on in anticipation of receiv- ant, were detected in migrant “This directive applies to many countries including its lifestyle – page 12 ing more migrant workers. workers who had completed all of the provinces in Cam- Continued – page 2 allies,” the embassy said. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Cambodia Airways ships National medical supplies to VN Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Manith: Delta variant Cambodia Airways ferries detected in migrants gov’t Covid aid to Vietnam following quarantine Mom Kunthear Continued from page 1 July 16 that Cambodia had re- corded a total of 75 cases of the HE Kingdom on July will now undergo an ad- new Delta variant, also known 19 dispatched nearly ditional seven day at as B.1.617-2, since March 31. 10 tonnes of medical their home provinces. Liv Sokhon said Siem Reap supplies via Cambo- “The new Covid-19 Delta had registered a total of diaT Airways to Vietnam, in a variant can sometimes evade eight Delta cases, with five spirit of solidarity to combat detection even after 14 days. of them having recovered. the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why we have to set Oddar Meanchey deputy The national flag carrier said up quarantine centres in the provincial governor Dy Rado the items were packed into home districts of migrant said that as of July 20, his 1,125 cartons and shipped on workers,” he said, adding that province had registered 17 an Airbus A320 aircraft, from quarantining at private homes Delta cases in migrant work- Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh was no longer permitted. ers. Seven of them have now City. The logistics of the con- Manith said preparing recovered, while the other signment were arranged by these centres would not 10 will still be quarantin- Ministry of Health secretary be a difficult task because ing for another 21 days. of state York Sambath. each province had already “We place migrant work- In a press release, the airline done so previously when ers in quarantine as set by said the plane reached Tan migrant of workers had re- the health ministry. We will Son Nhat International Air- turned en masse in 2020. let them go home after they port in Ho Chi Minh City after He also said he would dis- complete the quarantine. But 40 minutes of smooth flying. cuss the 21-day quarantine for those who tested posi- The Vietnamese govern- requirement with Minister tive for the new variant, they ment representatives warmly of Health Mam Bun Heng. have to stay in quarantine welcomed Sambath and her According to Manith, the for 21 more days,” he said. delegation at the airport in a Cambodia Airways successfully completes shipping mission of medical supplies donated by gov’t to Vietnam Banteay Meanchey Provin- Battambang deputy provin- handover ceremony. on July 19. cambodia airways cial Administration recently cial governor Soeum Bunrith “The flight then returned called on authorities in other said on July 20 that his prov- to Phnom Penh International nated $50,000 from the VCFA and transporting medical tion and control of epidem- provinces to collect their resi- ince had detected four Delta Airport at 10:40am on the through the Vietnamese em- supplies from Cambodia to ics,” the statement read. dents who completed quar- cases in migrant workers, all of same day, with Cambodia bassy in Phnom Penh to help China, South Korea, Vietnam, Hun Sen also sent a letter to antine at the border and take whom had recovered. He said Airways having completed fight Covid-19 in Vietnam. Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia Airways express- them to their hometowns all returning migrant workers the task of transporting the Prime Minister Hun Sen em- East Timor, Indonesia and ing his gratitude and appre- for continued isolation. have to have their samples medical supplies successful- phasised that the assistance other countries. ciation for their transporting He said some migrant tested at the Institut Pasteur ly,” the company said. was an expression of the spirit The company has estab- medical equipment to Viet- workers had previously com- du Cambodge in Phnom Penh The medical supplies de- of cooperation and solidarity lished a good relationship with nam on July 19. pleted quarantine and left for because the rapid tests can- livered by Cambodia Airways between friendly neighbour- the Cambodian government “The royal government their home provinces of Siem not specify whether a posi- included one million face- ing countries as they fight based on trust and long-term would like to sincerely thank Reap, Kandal, Battambang, tive case is Delta strain or not. masks along with 100,000 against Covid-19 together. cooperation, which has laid Cambodia Airways for spon- Pursat and Phnom Penh. “Lately, there are not N95 masks and 100 oxygen Cambodia Airways said it the foundation for the future soring a humanitarian flight “They all tested negative many migrant workers who concentrators. was entrusted by the gov- development of the airline. to transport 1.1 million face and were let go. But now we’ve have returned from Thai- Besides medical supplies, ernment to take up this im- “As the wings of Cambodia, masks and 100 oxygen con- found that six of them tested land through Battambang. the Cambodian government portant task because it had Cambodia Airways will con- centrators to fight Covid-19 positive when they reached It’s between just 10 and donated $200,000 and Cam- extensive experience in op- tinue to serve the Cambodian as a donation from [Cambo- home. Prey Veng found four 20 per day now,” he said. bodian Red Cross president erating special flights for se- people and government, and dia] to [Vietnam],” he said. positive cases. In Phnom In the meantime, the health Bun Rany Hun Sen provided nior government officials and continue to contribute to the Cambodia has also provided Penh, they went to deliver a ministry said they are study- another $100,000. cargo transportation. economic and cultural ex- supplies like face masks to baby at a hospital and then ing all instances of death Vietnam-Cambodia Friend- The airline said that in changes between Cambodia countries such as Laos, Myan- two people tested positive. among the elderly living in ru- ship Association (VCFA) pres- the past it had completed and the international com- mar, Timor-Leste and Nepal to “This is high risk be- ral areas to determine if their ident Men Sam An also do- flights for government VIPs munity, as well as the preven- help them fight Covid-19. cause all of these cases are cause of death was Covid-19. Delta variant that we need “As we have heard, some to take extreme precau- old people who live in rural tions with,” he explained. areas have died after they fell Siem Reap Provincial Ad- sick and some might have ministration spokesman Liv had Covid-19 without their ‘$1M’ of damages in Kep market fire Sokhon told The Post on July 20 knowledge. They had symp- that his province had already toms like the flu with running received the new instructions noses and coughing and they Khouth Sophak Chakrya blew the market’s roof off then there was market owners to expedite reconstruc- to conduct additional seven- thought it was just a normal an explosion caused by electrical fault tion. They also asked for the electrical day quarantine at centres cold, because they thought A DEVASTATING fire at White Horse Mar- which ignited the fire. The fire was even- system to be fixed and that a location be set up in each district for the they did not go far from home ket in Kep province’s O’Krasar commune tually extinguished after 11pm. provided for them to conduct business migrant workers who had and could not have con- on the evening of July 19 destroyed 121 “According to information collected while the new market is built. already completed their 14- tracted the virus,” she said. stalls and caused more than $1 million from vendors, the amount of damage Nuon Chanthoeun, 36, owner of two day quarantine at the border. According to Vandine, el- in damages, but no one was injured or caused by the fire is more than $1 mil- stalls that sold clothes, told The Post that He said the authorities derly people are the age group killed in the incident. lion,” Cheng Kuong said. all of her $20,000 in capital was invested in had put this new directive with the highest risk of severe Commune chief Kouy Cheng Kuong On July 20, vendors requested relevant her products which were destroyed by the into practice in the last three illness or death from Covid- told The Post on July 20 that strong winds authorities to intervene and urge the fire. “At the moment I have nothing left, days. Siem Reap is also the 10 because their immune sys- and I do not know who to ask for com- reserve province to take mi- tems are no longer as strong pensation because the authorities say the grant workers for quarantine as when they were young and fire was caused by an electrical fault.” from Banteay Meanchey, most of them have other un- Nuon Srey Diep, a vendor that had six where the quarantine cen- derlying health conditions stalls selling instant milk powder and tres are now almost full. that can complicate their re- children’s items, told The Post that ven- The health ministry said on covery from the disease. dors could not retrieve their goods from the fire as it happened at night. The mar- ket closed at 5pm and the market owner locked the gates. Provincial governor Som Piseth told The Post that the provincial administra- tion will urge the owner to build a new market as soon as possible. “The owner should not use automatic gates at the market entrance, as it could be as risky as it is now,” he said. Piseth said eight fire trucks and 400 cubic metres of water were used to ex- tinguish the blaze. “The market uses automatic gates, once it was on fire; all systems were cut off and the gates could not be opened, Over 120 stalls at White Horse Market in Kep province were destroyed by fire on July 19.K EP leading to difficulties for fire fighters,” Hun Manith and Banteay Meanchey governor Oum Reatrey visit O’Beichoan PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION he said. checkpoint at the Thai border. banteay meanchey administration THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Fishing net ADB climate scheme benefits Kingdom likely killer Ry Sochan of dolphin HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that Khouth Sophak Chakrya their six-year pioneering re- gional technical assistance Preah Sihanouk provincial initiativeT has helped reduce the threat fisheries administration officials posed by climate change to public confirmed that the dead sea dol- health in Cambodia. phin found floating off Poy Yeay In a press release on July 19, ADB Mao shore was a 90kg male. It said strengthening climate change was found on the night of July 18 resilience in the health sector in the at Bit Traing commune’s Koki vil- Greater Mekong sub-region had lage of Prey Nop district. helped Cambodia adapt its national Provincial Fisheries Adminis- health sector to address risks posed tration director Em Phea told by climate change including heat and The Post on July 19 that closer communicable diseases such as den- inspection of the dolphin’s scars gue, malaria, heat stress and diarrhea. revealed that death was caused The project also assisted the Cam- by fishing nets, similar to the type bodian government in identifying ef- used by fishermen in the area. fective investments that would help “Its tail fins are broken and its reduce mortality and morbidity from head damaged. The mouth is climate change. cracked and it has fishing net This assistance included the es- wires stuck to its teeth. As the scars tablishment of a primary heat warn- are from nets, we can conclude ing system and the upgrading of that this rare dolphin’s death was weather-resistant health facilities, caused by fishing nets,” he said. especially in remote areas and un- According to Phea, the sea dol- derserved communities. phin is 2.24m long, 0.60m wide, The project was approved in 2015 and a rare species which is pro- with $4.4 million in grants from the tected by sub-decree No. 123. Nordic Development Fund with addi- The ADB’s project also trained national and provincial health workers on surveillance systems for climate-sensitive diseases, analysis of This species of dolphin likes to tional financing from the governments epidemiology data and health challenges unique to women, children, and other vulnerable groups. ADB live and swim in groups that of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. often appear in coastal areas of “The project has helped reduce ADB said their project has improved Along with the recently completed The effects of climate change are Cambodia during the rainy sea- Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam’s vul- the timely collection of data for the national plan to make the health sys- posing a huge risk to people’s health son, especially in Koh Pring and nerability to climate-induced health government to monitor the impacts tem more resilient and to strengthen in Cambodia, according to the World Koh Mouy islands in the Rong threats, especially among vulnerable of climate change on public health the capacity of Cambodian health Health Organisation (WHO), despite Archipelago, the official said. populations, including the poor, mi- with tools such as a database, a mod- workers, the country is now bet- the fact that the country has put in place However, Cambodia’s Fish- grants and ethnic minorities,” said eling approach and a digital atlas. ter equipped to protect communi- a series of policies to help the health eries Administration has not ADB director of human and social de- The project also trained national ties against climate change amid the sector mitigate the growing impacts. studied the number of dol- velopment for Southeast Asia Ayako and provincial health workers on sur- Covid-19 pandemic, ADB country di- “There is an urgent need to further phins in detail. Inagaki in their press release. veillance systems for climate-sensi- rector Sunniya Durrani-Jamal said in strengthen the health system to pro- Phea added that after exam- The project is the first ADB initia- tive diseases, analysis of epidemiology the press release. tect and improve the health of com- ining and recording the cause tive in Southeast Asia to improve the data and health challenges unique to Ministry of Health secretary of state munities in an unstable and changing of death, officials decided to government’s response to the effects women, children, and other vulner- and spokeswoman Or Vandine could climate,” the WHO wrote on its web- bury the dolphin on the beach of climate change on healthcare. able groups, said the press release. not be reached for comment on July 20. site on July 20. near Poy Yeay Mao. Endangered cranes still declining Orm Bunthoeurn managed wetlands as natural “Cranes use their bills to protected areas and carried peck at tubers and insects in RARE and endangered cranes out a crane census every year the mud and break apart ani- are facing a sharp decline in to collect data on their number mals such as fish and frogs numbers across Cambodia and in Cambodia. although they had difficulty around the world, which war- “The government has also breaking these animals into rants concerted efforts to pro- encouraged conservation and pieces to swallow. tect and conserve the birds’ assisted in improving the liveli- “After farmers have harvested wetland habitats and breeding hoods of local communities rice, cranes will forage for food grounds where not only cranes through eco-tourism. We have in those rice fields by eating rice but also other rare bird species educated the public about grains left behind. Female cranes breed and forage for food, a sen- cranes and also observe World teach their colts techniques to ior environment official said. Wetlands Day and World Migra- forage for food as well as take Ministry of Environment tory Bird Day,” Pheaktra said. food to their babies,” he said. spokesman Neth Pheaktra said Srey Sunleang, deputy head Recently, BirdLife Internation- on July 20 that cranes are big of the ministry’s General al Cambodia Programme said and tall birds that can fly, con- Department of Nature Protec- they spotted the first sarus crane sidering their size. He said tion and Conservation Admin- nest with two eggs during the crane numbers had significant- istration, said cranes are omni- 2021 breeding season in Lum- ly declined over the last few vores and eat a range of food phat Wildlife Sanctuary of the years because death rates were from small rodents, bird eggs, Kingdom’s northeast corridor. high and birth rates were low. fish, amphibians, and insects But it was later found to have Prime Minister Hun Sen at his office in Phnom Penh.spm The decline was attributed to grain and berries. been destroyed by wild pigs. to human activity and the loss of wetland areas which dis- rupts feeding and breeding PM sends condolences to activities, low mating rates, agricultural pollution and a decrease in available food. Germany over deadly flood Changes to irrigation sys- tems, infectious disease, Voun Dara dred people and injured many remain missing,” he said. poaching eggs or colts – baby others, while thousands are still Minister of Foreign Affairs cranes – from nests, illegal trad- PRIME Minister Hun Sen sent missing,” the message read. and International Coopera- ing, dogs and climate change a message on July 19 express- “While standing in solidar- tion Prak Sokhonn also sent a are contributing factors. ing condolences to German ity with our friends – the Ger- condolence letter to his Ger- Pheaktra said the ministry Chancellor Angela Merkel and man people – in this difficult man counterpart Heiko Maas. has been cooperating with rel- the German people after flood- time, I would like to extend “I am very saddened to hear evant parties to conserve ing killed hundreds there and my sincere condolences to the about the catastrophic flood- cranes and their habitats. left thousands more missing. bereaved families for the loss ing that hit western Germany Environmental rangers always “I am deeply grieved by the of their loved ones, and my on July 15. This tragic flood- patrol natural protected areas news about the massive flood- best wishes for a speedy re- ing claimed the lives of more which are their habitat. ing that hit western Germany covery and resilience to those than a 100 people and injured The ministry has also on July 15, which has claimed who have been injured and a many others, while thousands researched the impact of cli- the lives of more than one hun- timely rescue for those who more are missing,” he said. mate change, designated and Cranes at a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia in May. environment ministry 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National UN: Keep women’s health a priority

Ry Sochan

HE UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has used the oc- casion of World Population Day 2021 to promote the sexualT and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. Numerous studies have shown that many countries appear to have de- prioritised access to sexual and repro- ductive services due to fear of poten- tial exposure to Covid-19 infection. UNFPA representative in Cam- bodia Daniel Alemu said: “I would like to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to promote and continue prioritising sexual and re- productive health and rights of all people, including the unfettered access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.” Daniel made the remarks dur- ing the World Population Day 2021 virtual celebration, which was held under the theme of “Rights and Choices are the Answer”. It was ar- ranged by UNFPA in Cambodia via video conference on July 20. He said that in Cambodia, through a number of UNFPA-supported stud- ies and assessments in 2020 and 2021, essential health services including sexual, reproductive and maternal health services remain largely func- tional across the country. A pregnant woman leaves Phsar Doem Thkauv Health Centre in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. hean rangsey However, fear of exposure to infec- tion may have adversely impacted mining the health and wellbeing of and realize agenda 2030,” Daniel said. lenging to effect the provision of at health facilities across the coun- the utilisation of some essential ser- most vulnerable women and girls, Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing services and information on repro- try in line with demand. vices such as antenatal and postnatal with adverse consequences that Kantha Phavi said at the ceremony ductive and sexual health, including Minister of Planning Chhay Thorn care and family planning, particular- can last a lifetime. that her ministry in cooperation with redistribute resources for the provi- said at the event that nowadays al- ly in the first six months of this year. “Let us recommit to working to- the Ministry of Health and with the sion of services and dissemination most all state hospitals, health cen- According to Daniel, these stud- gether to uphold the rights of wom- support of relevant partner organisa- of information that affect the health tres and some public places are used ies showed that “women and girls en and girls to bodily autonomy tions, have been working to strength- of women and girls,” she said. and reserved for the treatment of appear to de-prioritise access to and their informed decision on en and expand interventions on re- Lo Veasnakiry, secretary of state Covid-19 patients and quarantine. sexual and reproductive services when and if to have a family. productive and sexual health. for the Ministry of Health, said at “As a result, the general public due to fear of potential exposure to “Only through guaranteeing rights “However, the spread of Covid-19 the ceremony that women and girls health sector is also affected, es- Covid-19 infection”. and choices for all women and girls makes the implementation of the still have access to reproductive pecially reproductive health, and He said any disruption in these can we significantly advance and scale national strategy on reproductive health, maternal and child health so women and girls are at risk,” he services could derail gains under- up our national development efforts and sexual Health 2017-2020 chal- and other essential health services said. Ministry stresses importance of Cambodia backs Japan over joint statement on ethics in journalism profession sustainable food system Ry Sochan Voun Dara made a welcome speech, high- MINISTER of Information Kh- lighting the efforts and coop- ieu Kanharith urged officials THE government supported a eration with other countries to strengthen the profession of joint statement on “Sustain- and especially with ASEAN to journalism after the ministry able Agricultural Productions combat climate change. found that some journalists had and Food System” initiated He said the purpose of the violated professional ethics. by Japan as it complements statement was to draw the at- The minister made the com- Cambodia’s Agriculture Sec- tention of countries around ments during a weekly meeting tor Strategic Development the world to agriculture- with officials on July 19. Plan and Policy 2030. reliant nations, especially to Meas Sophorn, the minis- Minister of Agriculture, For- those in the monsoon region try’s undersecretary of state estry and Fisheries Veng Sak- because climate change is the and spokesman, told The Post hon expressed the support main contributing factor that on July 20 that the ministry during a video conference influences sustainable agri- has recently reviewed com- held on July 19 with his Japa- cultural production and food ments from the public about nese counterpart Nogami Ko- systems of ASEAN. misconduct by journalists, taro. Also in attendance were He added that the joint abuse of the profession’s code ASEAN ministers of agricul- statement will play a crucial of ethics and lawbreaking. ture from Laos, Malaysia, the role in developing partner- He said the ministry had also Philippines, Singapore and ships with other countries received information from of- Vietnam to study the state- and the private sector and ficials and relevant institutions ment. strengthen international co- about professional misconduct Sakhon thanked Kotaro for operation to assist agricul- and the use of inappropriate Minister of of Information Khieu Kanharith during a weekly meeting at the ministry on July 19. AKP initiating the statement, say- ture-reliant countries with words or gestures in the media. ing: “The Cambodian side financial resources and mod- Kanharith advised the min- rect any mistakes,” he said. is the role and responsibility the training and promotion of fully supports the joint state- ern agricultural techniques. istry’s legislative and training Sophorn said the ministry al- of relevant institutions, asso- journalists. I think it should be ment because it is in line with Kotaro said the joint state- and development committees ways encouraged journalists to ciations and the government. one of the information minis- our plan and policy.” ment will be included in his to provide information and or- practise their profession ethi- Vy said that to ensure free- try’s duties to do this work. He added that the Cambo- address at the pre-Summit ganise workshops to strengthen cally as well as respect the law. doms and improve democrat- “We should conduct regular dian initiative had detailed on Food System to be held in journalists’ understanding of their Nop Vy, executive director ic society, the participation of training to ensure that jour- policies to encourage agricul- Rome, Italy, in September. profession in accordance with of the Cambodian Journalists the media and journalists is nalists, especially new ones, tural production, increase ef- Some other ASEAN min- professional ethics and the law. Alliance (CamboJA), told The warranted. have the knowledge and a ficiency and competitiveness isters of agriculture who at- “In connection with this case, Post on July 20 that helping to “To let journalists carry out broader understanding of taking into account environ- tended the meeting also ex- the ministry has also contacted strengthen the code of ethics, their work more effectively, it ethics in the practice of their mental sustainability. pressed goodwill to support the press unit to check and cor- professionalism and training is necessary to be involved in profession,” he said. As a host country, Kotaro the statement. THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Police trying Floating home tough tactics on thieves, owners urged pickpockets he number of thefts and pickpockets in the capital to come ashore Tdecreased in June by nine cases, or about 18 per cent com- Long Kimmarita ities are giving the fish owners pared to May and an official puts time to finish this year’s rainy it down to police bringing the prob- HE Boribor district season harvest. But if they are lem under control, said the Phnom authorities in Kam- still present there farming fish Penh municipal police report. pong Chhnang prov- after that point then the au- In the report released on July ince have dismantled thorities will drag all of their 18, overall offences in Phnom moreT than 100 fish farming fish onto land and the govern- Penh were 42 cases in June cages that were floating in the ment will deal with them – and and 51 in May. There was a portion of the river running all of the floating houses in the slight drop in thefts in June to through his district before relo- district need to move to out of 33 compare to 36 in May and for cating the owners to land for the the water now. pickpockets during the same rest of this year’s rainy season. “We have dismantled all of period it was a drop of six cases. District governor Yim Sarin the floating houses. The only The report added that police were told The Post on July 19 that things that remain are some tasked with arresting thieves and pick- a number of people, mostly small boats. All of the fish- Boribor district authorities dismantle a Vietnamese fish farm in Kampong Chhnang province’s Chhnok Trou pockets. They had busted 42 cases Vietnamese, had recently re- ing cages will be temporarily commune on June 23. Facebook and arrested 67 suspects, equalling built their fish cages in secret, moved to the land,” he said. 100 per cent of offences, 33 of which but the district authorities Provincial governor Sun So- 20 that the river used to be full authorities did not allow them will they go? If the preventive are thefts and nine pickpockets. Of the dismantled them again and vannarithcould not be reached of floating houses but they to enter the country due to the measures are loose, they will suspects, 54 were found to have used made their owners sign a let- for comment on July 19, but had all been demolished. Covid-19 pandemic. just come back,” he said. drugs, or 81 per cent. ter promising not to rebuild he previously said the reloca- “We have been planning Kim Sroy expressed his con- Boribor district deputy gov- Boeung Keng Kang district them, though the fish farmers tion of houses from the river to to get them to settle on land cerns that the floating houses ernor Phal Sopheap vowed police chief Sim Piseth told The have requested an extension the land had at the time been since 2018, but they asked will just return back to their that there would be no cor- Post on July 18 that there were no until the end of the rainy sea- achieved 100 per cent for his to postpone the move in or- former locations in the fu- ruption regarding this issue thefts and pickpockets in his area, son, claiming that their fish four target districts of Chol- der for their fish to grow big ture if there are no drastic and and that this effort to rid the but he did not specify why. are still too small to harvest. kiri, Kampong Leng, Kampong enough to harvest ... So I’ve long-term measures to effect area of floating houses had Daun Penh district police chief “There were 107 fishing Tralach and Rolea Ba’ier. asked the authorities to recon- changes on this issue. He said been going on for years. Teang Chansa said that acting on cages in Boribor district that Another two targets – Kam- sider this issue because it has that the Vietnamese people “We are doing it now. Our the orders of Phnom Penh munici- we [dismantled]. Some of pong Chhnang town and Bor- been since 2018 now and their had refused to dismantle their committee is doing it regu- pal police chief Sar Thet, special- the cages had fish and some ibo district – achieved only 50 fish are still not big,” he said. floating houses and were try- larly and according to the ists in the district had brought the didn’t. Those who say their per cent of their goals, and He claimed that most of the ing to escape by moving about plan. There is absolutely no situation under control, thereby fish are still too small can stay out of these six targets there floating houses belonging to in Cambodia’s rivers. corruption. For me, I have steadily reducing the number of until they are able to harvest are 2,396 families, or equiva- Cambodians in the province “If there is still corruption, not yet received any informa- pickpockets and thefts. those fish but they’ve been lent to 10,087 people in total. had already moved to land, these floating houses will tion about graft, but if there is He added that the police in the told not to rebuild their cag- Tot Kim Sroy, provincial while Vietnamese people with continue to be present. On such practice, we will take ac- capital were cracking down to es or put any new fish into coordinator for the NGO Mi- large floating houses had float- the other hand, the Vietnam- tion against any official who make people in the capital feel them,” he said. norities Rights Organisation ed them over to the Vietnam- ese who were denied entry acts contrary to that princi- safe and secure. Nov Sivutha Sarin said the district author- (MIRO), told The Post on July ese border, but the Vietnamese to their own country, where ple,” he said. Big tropical storm Cempaka sending rain to Cambodia

Lay Samean provinces will also experience medium to heavy rains as will COASTAL provinces, mountain- provinces along the Mekong ous areas, and areas along the River, and Dangrek and Car- Mekong River need to take pre- damon mountains. Expect cautions as tropical storm Cem- strong winds in all these ar- paka, currently moving across eas,” the ministry said. southern China, will bring Preah Sihanouk provin- heavy rains, an advisory from cial hall spokesman Kheang the Ministry of Water Resources Phearom told The Post that and Meteorology stated. the governor had assigned In the advisory on July 19, all relevant authorities to the ministry said that apart disseminate news to people, from Cempaka, tropical especially fishermen and ad- storm In-Fa tracking across vised them to take precau- the Pacific Ocean near Taiwan tions to avoid danger. has developed into a typhoon “Based on the notice from and is heading towards east- the ministry, people who ern China and could affect work on boats need to take Cambodia’s weather. extra precautions when going The notice added that out to sea,” he said. “During on the morning of July 19, this time, if possible avoid go- Cempaka had increased in ing into the sea and be extra strength and is moving to the careful if you do. Check the south of China. weather carefully and regu- According to a forecast, larly and make sure boats Cempaka and the southwest- have enough life jackets.” ern monsoon along with the The ministry added that Inter Tropical Convergence fishermen and boat passen- Zone is influencing Cambo- gers out at sea have to exercise dia’s weather. The Kingdom increased caution to avoid will experience storms na- placing themselves in danger. tionwide from July 21-22. The ministry has been moni- “Coastal areas will experi- toring the situation closely in ence medium to heavy rain- case the weather changes. fall. There could be flooding In another announcement in Preah Sihanouk and Koh released on July 20, the min- Kong provinces. Rain will be istry warned that there is a out at sea with strong winds strong possibility of flash and high waves. Low-lying flood in the coastal areas. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 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 4,100 1.2750 6.4789 109.41 4.2245 1.3672 32.81 0.7325 1.1800 1.3655

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: July 20, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,820 12,840 12,880 12,820 2 GTI 4,180 4,140 4,180 4,080 3 PAS 13,680 13,640 13,680 13,540 4 PEPC 3,110 3,150 3,150 3,110 5 PPAP 15,220 15,220 15,220 15,220 6 PPSP 2,070 2,010 2,090 2,010 7 PWSA 7,080 7,080 7,100 7,060 PPSP acquires remaining Sahas stake Global players May Kunmakara set to weigh in

OCALLY-LISTED industrial- on UK scheme park operator Phnom Penh SEZ Plc (PPSP) successfully Continued from page 1 acquired the remaining 40 perL cent stake in construction com- expand our market presence in the pany Sahas E&C Co Ltd from its joint UK,” he said. venture (JV) partner LCH for Cambodia currently receives pref- $1,172,514.82, making it a wholly- erential trade treatment under the owned subsidiary. GSP, which the UK provides to the In a statement to the Cambodia Least Developed Countries (LDC), he Securities Exchange (CSX) on July 19, said, adding that the facility is essen- PPSP noted that the move follows the tially equivalent to the EU’s ‘Every- approval from the Securities and thing But Arms’ (EBA) scheme. Exchange Regulator of Cambodia On August 12, the European Com- (SERC) on March 18. mission – the EU’s executive arm – “The new shareholding was regis- partially withdrew the EBA scheme tered with the Ministry of Commerce from Cambodia. The suspension on 11 May 2021, Sahas E&C Co Ltd is affects one-fifth or €1 billion ($1.2 bil- fully owned by PPSP from now on. lion) of the Kingdom’s annual exports Currently, we are waiting for the to the EU’s 27-nation bloc. approval letter [for] transferring tax Sovicheat noted that Cambodia-UK [liabilities,] from [the] General trade logged steady growth over the Department of Taxation,” it said. first five months of this year, reaching In a filing to the CSX on March 22, a total of $258.45 million during the PPSP said Sahas is “primarily period, with Cambodian exports and engage[d] in all [areas of] construc- imports to the tune of $239.73 million tion and building works including Phnom Penh SEZ Plc (PPSP) successfully acquired the remaining 40 per cent stake in Sahas E&C Co Ltd. HONG MENEA and $18.17 million, respectively. but not limited to engineering, The export and import figures add design, procurement, project man- CEO Hiroshi Uematsu told The Post “Sahas has been accumulating [the] to meet the needs of industrial sector. up to $257.90 million, which is $0.55 agement and maintenance”. in March that PPSP established Sahas know-how of construction, especial- “By doing so, we can increase recur- million short of the trade total pro- PPSP said the appointed auditor in 2017 to “get projects from outside ly for road[s], water system[s] and ring income from Sahas. We appoint- vided by the commerce official. Baker Tilly had calculated the final Phnom Penh SEZ, as well as inside our factory building through PPSEZ’s ed Rithy Loeung, a Cambodian engi- Sovicheat added: “This is a testament price for the acquisition, to be paid zone”, referring to the 357.3ha Phnom development. neer as general manager of the to the close and prosperous trade ties in two tranches – $500,000 on March Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ) “We thought that we could expand company in order to localise our between Cambodia and the UK, and 18 and $672,514.82 before April 14. in the western part of the capital. our service outside the zone in order group’s operation,” he added. there will be more opportunities to expand this market, and trade volume.” Last year, bilateral trade between the UK and Cambodia amounted to £737 million ($1 billion) and “there is room for growth”, according to the Posts ministry strips six EMS firms of licences UK ambassador. The UK embassy added: “The UK Hin Pisei been the case in the past. president Chea Chandara told The into the industry, but provided a wel- government intends its new scheme to Aladdin Express Co Ltd chairman Post that the international EMS com- come windfall for the land and water- be best in class, and has studied pro- THE Ministry of Posts and Telecom- and Angkor E-Booking co-founder munity had sustained significant way transport sectors, he noted. grammes in Canada, the US, Japan and munications says it has terminated the Heng Borin said the electronic book- damage as a result of the ongoing “The spread of Covid-19 has led to a the EU, before constructing an approach licences of six international express ing company was established as a health crisis, as the bulk of cargo is sharp drop in international express that takes some of the strongest ele- mail service (EMS) companies. complement to the carrier, but the delivered by air. mail services – the delivery of goods to ments of each and builds on them. The ministry stripped Awg Trucking performance of the EMS business The reduction of domestic and inter- their destinations just can’t be as fast “The consultation on the UK’s new Service Co Ltd and Mygo (Cambodia) had been rather lacklustre due to national flights further threw a wrench as they once were,” Chandara said. scheme runs for eight weeks and Co Ltd of their EMS licences for fail- Covid-19. seeks the view of all sectors of soci- ure to renew them on time, it said in Wanting to focus more attention on ety, including businesses, the public, a letter issued last week. improving the services provided by civil society groups, consumers, asso- ZhongWai Tong Express Logistic Co Aladdin Express, which had been ciations, partner governments and Ltd, Air Express Worldwide Inc, SJ gaining stronger traction in the fields any other interested stakeholders. Shipping Co Ltd and Angkor E-Book- of transportation and express deliv- “Views will also be sought from ing Co Ltd, on the other hand, applied ery, Borin said Angkor E-Booking was businesses and stakeholders with an for termination, it noted. compelled to ask the ministry to interest across the globe. “The ministry recommends that the revoke its EMS licence. “The UK Developing countries above operators be held accountable “On behalf of this law-abiding com- Trading Scheme will apply to 47 to their employees, customers and pany, we have asked the ministry to countries in the Least Developed third parties in accordance with appli- revoke the licence of Angkor E-Book- Country Framework [LDCF] and 23 cable laws and regulations in the event ing Co Ltd, seeing as we do not use it additional countries classified by the of a dispute over the revocation of anymore,” he said. World Bank as low-income and low- these licences,” the ministry said. He stressed that the EMS industry er-middle-income countries. It ordered all postal operators to had escaped the worst of the Covid- “Other low-income and lower-mid- strictly abide by sectoral laws and 19 pandemic, but pointed out that dle-income countries are not includ- related regulations, warning that fail- more lucrative opportunities lie else- ed in the scheme because they ben- ure to fully comply with the law or the where, such as inter-provincial trans- efit from preferential terms offered terms of their EMS licence could result portation. The telecoms ministry says it has terminated the licences of six international express by free trade agreements with the in its suspension or revocation, as has Logistics Business Association mail service (EMS) companies. POST STAFF UK,” it said. THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7

Olivier Klein, Chief Executive Officer of BRED Group, sees exceptional potential in Cambodia. BRED Group backs Cambodia Bank set for growth as owners reaffirm commitment to the Kingdom

BRED Bank Cambodia plans to the last four years confirms the programme of long-term growth.” internationally and creating increasing support to operations increase its operations after the International Monetary Fund’s Despite its relatively short valuable opportunities for talented in Fiji and building a strong bank’s European owners, BRED (IMF) view that Cambodia has time in the Kingdom, BRED Bank individuals to progress.” international brand with outlets Group, committed a substantial exceptional potential for economic Cambodia has enjoyed remarkable “While we’re working hard to in many countries worldwide. As increase of $35 million USD to its growth.” success. “We’ve made a great start deliver new digital products and we deliver our plan, there is no Tier 1 capital. BRED Group agrees with the from scratch,” says Guillaume capabilities, we know our clients question that the group has the Since its launch in 2017, BRED IMF’s five-year forecast and both Perdon, “and now we want to particularly value the exceptional financial capacity to increase its Bank Cambodia has quickly expect Cambodia to become the accelerate. That means we have to levels of personal service we investment.” established a thriving branch top ASEAN country in terms of invest in people, in new tools and provide,” adds Guillaume network while building a strong economic growth. The group also in our branch network. We’ve built Perdon. “At a business level, Long-term support reputation as the Kingdom’s best believes that the bank is perfectly on our strategy because we believe our Relationship Managers have Despite the current slowdown bank for business. The increase, placed to support the country’s we can do even better than we the experience to advise their caused by the pandemic, BRED taking the bank’s capital base to ambitions - particularly with the have so far.” customers on a broad range of Bank Cambodia expects the nation $110 million USD, will support business lending that underpins While the bank expects to see issues and that adds real value to to bounce back quickly as a strategy of rapid, sustainable economic expansion. the impact of its growth strategy their businesses.” vaccination programmes are rolled and healthy growth in the bank’s from 2022 onwards, progress Further investment out and global demand for goods products, services, branch network, Financial strength is already being made. “We’re manufactured in the Kingdom lending capacity and staff “We are very fortunate to expanding our business and Although BRED Group’s returns. “We’re here to provide the recruitment and training. be part of a group that takes a personal customer bases through investment in the Kingdom long-term support that growing long-term view,” says BRED Bank targeted marketing initiatives, represents a significant businesses need,” insists Guillaume Exceptional potential Cambodia, CEO, Guillaume Perdon, we’re developing new traditional commitment, Olivier Klein refused Perdon. “At the same time, our “We’ve brought forward our who believes that BRED Group’s and digital products and we’ll be to rule out further investment tailored personal banking plans because we believe in co-operative bank structure allows adding to our branch and ATM in the future. “Our group is very experience has proven to be Cambodia,” says Olivier Klein, greater investment flexibility. “We networks,” says Perdon. “We’re strong financially and really extremely popular so we’re ideally Chief Executive Officer of BRED have the financial strength, even also recruiting new staff across believes in Cambodia’s potential placed to secure a very valuable Group. “Our direct experience in these uncertain times, to make the business. We’re looking for to deliver significant returns. segment of the Kingdom’s rapidly and the success we’ve enjoyed in a substantial commitment to a the best of the best locally and As well as investing here, we’re growing financial sector.” paid advertorial paid 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business US’ Robinhood Fisheries exports surge over 52% aims for $35B

Thou Vireak tion in Kandal province, an valuation when area with high potential for AMBODIA export- aquaculture, previously told it goes public ed a total of 2,092 The Post that the adminis- tonnes of fisher- tration has been busy pro- ies products in the moting aquaculture for do- firstC half of 2021, surging mestic use in the province 52.47 per cent over the same during Covid-19. period last year, the Ministry “Family aquaculture op- of Agriculture, Forestry and erations are on a strong up- Fisheries reported. ward trend and have yielded The latest report comes decent incomes for locals,” as local fish farmers express he said concern over market condi- The administration is try- tions amid stiff competition ing its hand at promoting Robinhood plans to price an initial public offering at between $38 and $42 from cheaper imports. the commercialisation of a share. GETTY IMAGES/AFP During the period from small or family-owned fish- January-June, exports of fresh ery units, he added. HE fast-growing online investment fisheries products was 1,945 Minister of Agriculture, For- platform Robinhood aims for a tonnes in January-June, up estry and Fisheries Veng Sak- Tvaluation of as much as $35 billion 70.61 per cent year-on-year hon also said the government when it goes public, the company said on from 1,140 tonnes, while pro- is actively pursuing to boost July 19 in a securities filing. cessed fisheries clocked in at aquaculture, expand domestic Robinhood, which has grown quickly 147 tonnes, plunging 36.63 per supply capacity and increase during the coronavirus pandemic, antici- cent year-on-year from 232 exports in the long-term. pates offering shares at between $38 and tonnes, ministry figures show. “I believe that through these $42 apiece, making its initial public of- The greater part of Cam- efforts, the private sector will fering (IPO) worth as much as $2.3 billion. bodian fisheries exports be able to acknowledge that The service, which is especially was shipped to Vietnam and Cambodia is able to step up popular with younger investors, has Thailand, it said. Total fisheries production totalled 32,040 tonnes in the first half of this year – 25,910 tonnes and 6,130 its hatchery rearing methods described its mission as “to democratise Lim Sokheng, the owner tonnes of freshwater and marine products, respectively. AQUACULTURE PROMOTION CAMBODIA to upgrade fisheries exports finance for all”. of a fish farm in the capital’s to the international market The company had 18 million funded northernmost Prek Phnov Phnom Penh or is distrib- southernmost Ponhea first half of this year – 25,910 to match its needs. accounts at the end of March with $81 district, said the local fish uted to other provinces. Kraek district, said the local tonnes and 6,130 tonnes of “We need to reinforce our billion in assets under custody. market remained relatively However, the farm now juvenile fish market has re- freshwater and marine prod- breeding and growing sys- The company was cofounded in 2013 by steady, though prices con- carries unsold stocks of 300 mained largely unchanged. ucts, respectively, equivalent tems to meet [international] Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, who met tinued to fall during the first tonnes of the fish, he la- Juvenile fish tend to sell to 32.39 per cent and 51.8 per standards as the govern- as undergraduates at Stanford University. half of this year. mented. for some 30,000 riel per kg, a cent of the target, ministry sta- ment leadership improves Robinhood’s growing population of The wholesale price of “The fish market is a bit slight decrease compared to tistics indicate. the freight forwarding in- individual investors have played a role pra fish (Pangasius djam- weak now, probably from pre-Covid days, he said. Freshwater fisheries de- dustry,” Sakhon said. in the so-called “Reddit Rebellion” in bal) is now around 4,300 riel fish imports, and my ponds He noted that a consider- creased 4.92 per cent year- Cambodia exported a total which retail investors coalesced on the ($1.06), declining from 4,600 will continue to yield fish able proportion of small-scale on-year from 27,250 tonnes, of 3,590 tonnes of fisheries Reddit social network in 2021 to support riel in March, he said. over the next two months,” operations were not buying and marine products in- products worth more than beaten-down stocks such as GameStop He said his farm yields in Sokheng said. new varieties after running creased 0.33 per cent year- $8.33 million in 2020, down and BlackBerry. excess of 1,000 tonnes of Similarly, Song Seyha, an- out of fish in their ponds. on-year from 6,110 tonnes. 74.53 per cent from 14,100 The company plans to trade on Nasdaq the fish per season, most of other fish farmer based in Total fisheries production Heng Sophearith, director tonnes in 2019, according to under the ticker “HOOD”. AFP which supplies markets in Tbong Khmum province’s totalled 32,040 tonnes in the of the Fisheries Administra- the ministry. Six logistics centres planned Vietnam gold export tax proposed THE Vietnamese Ministry of show the same results, causing of gold reached $380 million. Finance has just proposed to the risk of lost tax revenues. In 2020, the amount was $2.6 south of Cambodian border increase export tax on gold The ministry said the world billion, up more than $600 mil- products of less than 95 per and domestic gold markets lion compared to 2019 and $2 THE Vietnamese Mekong cent purity to two per cent have fluctuated strongly in billion over the same period of Delta province of Long An from zero per cent. recent years, mainly due to the 2018. Of which goods made of plans to set up six logistics The proposal is in the draft uncertainties of the world gold with gold content of less centres to meet transporta- decree to amend and supple- economy, trade disputes, as than 95 per cent under the code tion, and export and import ment Decree 122/2016/ND- well as a sharp drop in the US 7114.19.00.90 account for a demands, according to the CP on export tariffs, preferen- dollar compared to other large part, about $2.1 billion. provincial Department of In- tial import tariffs, list of goods major currencies, and espe- Last year, there were 469 dustry and Trade. and flat-rate duties, mixed tar- cially the complexity of the enterprises exporting and The centres are also expect- iffs, and out-of quota import pandemic, affecting investors’ importing gold products ed to help local firms improve tariffs. sentiment all over the world. including pearls, precious their competitiveness, the de- With the existing regulations Gold exports surged recent- stones, semi-precious stones partment said. on trading, importing and ly. Data compiled by the Gen- and their products, jewellery Of the facilities, three will be exporting gold, there are two eral Department of Customs made of other materials, and located in Thanh Phu, Thanh export tax rates of zero per showed that in the first half of metal coins. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA Loi and Luong Hoa com- cent and two per cent for gold, this year, the export turnover NEWS NETWORK munes in Ben Luc district, gold jewellery and fine works with a total area of 110ha. of at least 8-karat purity. The others are at the Long Companies are not allowed An international port and to export raw gold, only fine along the Cambodian fron- works and gold jewellery under tier at the Prey Vor-Binh the Business Registration Hiep and Samrong-My Quy Licence. Tay international border However, recently, there has gate economic zones. been a phenomenon of gold The centres in Thanh Phu exporting enterprises declar- commune and the Long An The centre in the Long An international port in Can Giuoc district has ing gold fine works of less than international port in Can been put into operation. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY 95 per cent purity and declar- Giuoc district have been put ing the customs code with a into operation. At the same time, it has the Southern Key Economic tax rate of zero per cent. All of the centres are con- worked to speed up the im- Region, serving as a bridge As the tax base for exported nected to roads, waterways plementation of major trans- between Ho Chi Minh City gold is still according to the and sea routes, providing port projects to complete and the Mekong Delta’s 12 enterprise’s declaration, the transportation, logistics and the transport infrastructure provinces and one city, as customs authority does not goods distribution services. system connecting industrial well as the Kingdom. have enough basis for inspec- Apart from the building clusters and parks with the It borders Prey Veng prov- tion and verification. Mean- of logistics centres, Long An Long An international port, ince’s Kampong Trabek dis- while, companies conducting has taken measures to de- thus meeting the travel and trict and Svay Rieng prov- gold quality inspection before velop a competitive, multi- transportation needs of peo- ince’s Svay Chrum, Kampong exporting all declare that the model transportation sector ple and businesses. Ro and Chantrea districts and gold is below 95 per cent puri- Vietnam’s gold export turnover reached $380 million in the first half where information-technol- Long An is situated in an Bavet town in the Kingdom. ty, the re-examination docu- of this year, data compiled by the General Department of Customs ogy is optimised. advantageous location in VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ments of foreign partners also showed. VIET NAM NEWS THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Pegasus scandal shows Iraq market suicide bombing risk of Israel’s spy-tech claimed by IS kills almost 30 diplomacy, experts say REPORTS that Israel-made might be seen as someone who HE Islamic State (IS) interior ministry security Pegasus spyware has been used helps autocratic regimes sup- group early on July body, said it had launched an to monitor activists, journalists press civil society.” 20 claimed respon- investigation into the blast, and politicians around the Jonathan Klinger, an Israeli sibility for a suicide and police and forensic teams world highlight the diplomatic cyber law attorney and privacy bombingT that ripped through a late on July 19 were searching risks of nurturing and export- specialist, agreed, charging busy market in the Iraqi capital through the smoking wreck- ing “oppressive technology”, that “Israel is an incubator for ahead of Eid holiday celebra- age for clues. experts warned on July 19. oppressive technology”. tions, killing nearly 30 people, Prime Minister Mustafa al- Private Israeli firm NSO But he said “a big problem” is according to medical sources. Kadhemi convened an emer- Group has denied media that NSO’s reported exports do In a message posted to its gency meeting with his heads of reports its Pegasus software is not amount to a crime under Telegram channel, the militant military and security agencies. linked to the mass surveillance Israeli law. group said a suicide bomber In January, the IS group of journalists and rights defend- Klinger criticised what he named Abu Hamza al-Iraqi claimed responsibility for a ers, and insisted that all sales of called an “unfortunate busi- detonated his explosive belt in rare twin suicide bombing its technology are approved by ness model”, helped by Israel’s the middle of a crowd in Sadr that killed 32 people – also at a Israel’s defence ministry. readiness to test new surveil- City, an eastern Baghdad sub- crowded market in Baghdad. Founded in 2010 and based lance systems on Palestinians urb on the night of July 19, kill- That blast was the city’s in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, in the occupied West Bank, ing more than 30 and wound- deadliest attack in three years. NSO says it develops tools that Gaza and annexed east Jerusa- ing 35 others. Such violence was com- allow governments to pursue lem. In one of the worst attacks in monplace in Baghdad dur- criminals who might evade But the market is substantial, Baghdad in recent years, body ing the sectarian bloodletting authorities through encrypted he added, because “there’s a parts of victims lay scattered that followed the US-led inva- communications. limited number of liberal across the previously bustling sion of 2003, and later on as IS But the Washington Post, the democracies, and there’s more market that had been crowd- Iraqis inspect the site of the explosion in a popular market in the mostly swept across much of Iraq and Guardian, Le Monde and other dictatorships worldwide”. ed with shoppers buying food Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City. AFP also targeted the capital. news outlets that collaborated NSO’s Hershkovitz told Army ahead of the Islamic festival of But after years of deadly on an investigation reported on Radio the firm is a “Zionist Eid al-Adha, according to an dren were among the dead, ror. The blast was so strong it violence, militant attacks have a leaked list of up to 50,000 company that operates only AFP photographer. according to medical sources, ripped the roofs off some mar- become relatively rare in the phone numbers believed to from Israel”, and only with Some 50 people were also who said the toll lay between ket stalls. capital Baghdad. have been identified as people approval from the defence wounded in the blast, medics 28 and 30 killed. “A terror attack using a lo- July 19’s bloody attack of interest by clients of NSO ministry. said. In an early July 20 state- cally made IED [improvised sparked a furious response since 2016, not all of whom Last month, NSO said it con- Iraqi President Barham Sa- ment, children’s agency UNI- explosive device] in Woheilat from Iraqis on social media. were hacked. siders the “past human rights lih called the bombing in the CEF confirmed that children Market in Sadr City, in east “Terrorism and the govern- NSO spokesman Oded Her- performance and governance densely populated majority- were killed and injured in the Baghdad, left several victims ment’s failure keep on stealing shkovitz told Israel’s Army Radio standards” of its clients. Shiite suburb of Sadr City a attack. dead and others injured,” our lives,” tweeted Alaa Sattar, the list of phone numbers was Contracts require customers “heinous crime” and offered “This horrific attack right Iraq’s interior ministry said in a youth activist. “The authori- “not connected” to NSO, but to “respect human rights”, his condolences. before Eid Al-Adha is a terrible a statement. ties have nothing but condo- rather to other companies and including “rights to privacy and “They are targeting our civil- reminder of the violence Iraqi Refrigerators full of water lences to dole out and empty open-source software. “We freedom of expression”, NSO ians in Sadr City on the eve of children continue to face,” it bottles were drenched with investigative committees.” didn’t receive until today a bit of said. Eid,” Salih said in a message said. blood, and shoes were strewn Another Twitter user wrote evidence that on this list some- As a result, NSO had black- on Twitter. “They do not allow Video footage shared on on the ground alongside fruit, “every Eid, there’s a tragedy one indeed was attacked by the listed 55 countries and rejected people to rejoice, even for a social media after the blast AFP journalists said. in Baghdad. It’s impossible to Pegasus system.” more than $300 million in moment.” showed bloodied victims Baghdad Operations Com- celebrate like the rest of hu- The software enables phones potential “opportunities”. Eight women and seven chil- and people screaming in ter- mand, a joint military and manity”. AFP to be infiltrated and tracked, The leaked list of potential with the microphone and cam- hacking targets was obtained era activated remotely to mon- by rights group Amnesty Inter- itor the user. national and Forbidden Stories, Israeli experts recalled the a Paris-based media non-prof- country’s long history of using it organisation. Taiwan greenlights local Covid jab the export of cutting-edge Israel’s defence ministry said weaponry to foster diplomatic it did not have access to infor- TAIWAN’S government on July yet to finish clinical trials There are no major safety outbreak and keeping the virus relations, but warned that bur- mation gathered by NSO’s cli- 19 said it had granted emergen- although it published promis- concerns”. at bay for nearly a year with geoning sales of advanced sur- ents. cy-use approval to a coronavi- ing phase-two data last Chen Shih-chung, head of strict quarantine controls and veillance systems could cause Israel “approves the export of rus vaccine made locally by month. the authority, said “it will take world-class contract tracing. more harm than benefit. cyber products exclusively to Medigen, with experts saying Taiwan’s health authority said some time to expand produc- But an outbreak that began “Israeli weapons exports governmental entities, for law- early data suggested it was a panel of experts approved its tion capacity” but said the first in May among airline pilots has helped the country forge all ful use, and only for the pur- similarly effective to Astra- use on July 18 and that the first small supplies for the public since led to widespread com- kind of ties,” said Yoel Guzan- pose of preventing and inves- Zeneca’s jabs. inoculations for the public could be expected next munity transmission with the sky from the Institute for tigating crime and counter The decision is a boost for the could begin as early as next month. island now recording nearly National Security Studies in Tel terrorism”, it said. Chinese island, which has month. Medigen’s offering is a “subu- 800 deaths and some 15,000 Aviv, citing quiet ties in the NSO does not reveal which struggled to secure enough No details were given of its nit vaccine” which teaches the infections. Middle East, Africa and Asia governments buy its products, vaccines for its 23 million peo- efficacy rate but the authority body’s immune system to rec- It had only received 726,000 built through the weapons but the reported list of targeted ple. said Medigen’s antibody effect ognise the spike protein that vaccine doses before the US trade. phone numbers was clustered in Medigen Vaccine Biologics was “no worse than the Oxford- the coronavirus uses to invade and Japan recently donated 2.5 “Sometimes the damage is 10 countries including Azerbai- Corp’s vaccine – known offi- AstraZeneca vaccine jabs that cells. million and 3.37 million doses, bigger than the benefit,” jan, Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi cially as MVC-COV1901 – has the public have received … It will be given to people over respectively. Guzansky told AFP. “Israel Arabia and the UAE. AFP 20 years old in two shots. After the Taiwanese govern- Medigen has been told to ment’s plans to acquire Pfizer- submit monthly safety moni- BioNTech vaccines from Ger- toring reports and an effective- many’s BioNTech fell through, ness report within a year, the two Taiwanese tech giants island’s health authority add- reached an agreement with its ed. Shanghai-based distributor. Taiwan’s government has Foxconn and Taiwan Semi- signed contracts to purchase conductor Manufacturing Co five million doses of the Medi- Ltd (TSMC), the world’s largest gen vaccine and the same contract microchip maker, amount from another local announced last week that they maker, United Biomedical, would each donate five million which has yet to receive emer- vaccines doses to the govern- gency authorisation. ment, after signing a deal with The Chinese island was laud- Fosun Pharma. ed last year for having one of But it will still need more jabs Founded in 2010 and based in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, NSO says it the best coronavirus responses to fully inoculate its 23 million develops tools allowing governments to pursue criminals who might Medigen CEO Charles Chen with a vaccine sample. AFP in the world, stifling its initial people. AFP evade authorities through encrypted communications. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN A third of Vietnamese put under lockdown

BOUT a third of Vietnam’s south from the industrial areas in the rent progress of research and clinical 100 million people must north. trials of Covid-19 vaccines in Viet- now stay home as multiple In HCMC, authorities have built nam as well as production technol- southern provinces went several makeshift hospitals that can ogy transfer matters. underA Covid-19 lockdown on July 19. host thousands of patients. The delegates also agreed on a The restrictions come a day after The number of domestic flights to technology transfer cooperation plan nearly 6,000 new infections were the area has been reduced. and conducting clinical trials of for- reported over 24 hours, a record for As restrictions tightened, the city’s eign vaccines that would be licensed Vietnam. residents complained that getting for production in Vietnam. Residents in the capital Hanoi were essential goods was difficult after The health ministry will soon also asked – but not ordered – to re- wholesale and open-air markets submit to the government a plan to main at home, and all non-essential closed. use the budget from the National shops and services were forced to At present, “we give priority to Covid-19 Vaccine Fund to support close. Gatherings of more than five protecting people’s health”, said the implementation of Phase II clini- people in public places are banned. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, cal trials for domestically developed “The order from Hanoi authori- according to the government’s offi- vaccines as well as transferred jabs. ties came so suddenly,” said resident cial news site. The ministry will also request the Nguyen Thanh Van. “But I fully agree Vietnam recorded a total of 55,845 government to direct relevant minis- with it. We’d rather they come down cases and 254 deaths on July 19. tries and agencies to coordinate with hard to avoid a similar scenario to Ho Backed by its successful contain- them in participating in clinical trial Chi Minh City (HCMC). ment of the virus, Vietnam was one of studies to ensure safety, progress and “We won in the previous battles. the few economies to expand last year. efficiency. But this is a hard one.” The economy grew 5.64 per cent, in Nanogen, the developer of the Business hub HCMC – where most line with government expectations, Nano Covax vaccine, last week said new infections have been recorded in the first half of this year. Hanoi residents have been asked to stay home as Vietnam battles a Covid-19 surge. AFP it has administered the first jab to – and the nearby Binh Duong and The Southeast Asian country has 13,000 volunteers in its Phase III hu- Dong Nai provinces have been in been slow to procure and administer development and clinical trials on This, they said, would help the re- man trials, with the second dose ex- lockdown for more than a week. vaccines, with just 4.3 million doses July 17 that Vietnam is striving to search and clinical trials of Nanoco- pected to be given before end of next But cases kept rising. In response, given so far. have at least one successful domes- vax and Covivac vaccines, two can- month, eyeing full clinical data for the government ordered 16 more Vietnam is also developing its own tically developed coronavirus jab didates making the most progress in reviews this year. provinces into lockdown starting on shots, and hopes to reach herd im- this year. the four under development in the The Covivac vaccine, developed July 19. munity by early next year, authorities Delegates discussed a plan to in- country. by the Institution of Vaccine and After successfully containing coro- said. vite experts from the World Health This came after the delegates heard Biological Medical in Nha Trang city, navirus outbreaks last year, Vietnam Deputy health minister Tran Van Organisation (WHO) to support re- the general report from the health wrapped up Phase I late last month has seen cases skyrocket since late Thuan told a meeting of the special search and development of a jab in ministry’s Department of Science, and plans to carry out Phase II soon. April, with the epicentre moving working group on Covid-19 vaccine the country. Technology and Training on the cur- AFP, VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Covid surge overwhelms Myanmar burial volunteers

WITH hospitals in junta-run are empty of both doctors and around 50 per day in early May, been detained and hundreds of was about to be cremated, and scenes have become con- Myanmar empty of pro-de- patients because of a long- but analysts say the true toll is others have gone underground asked him to wait for the ambu- stant. mocracy medical staff and running strike against the mil- likely much higher. to avoid arrest. lance bringing their father, who “Sometimes I don’t pick up coronavirus cases surging itary regime that seized power At the house of one victim, Last week, the State Admin- had just died. the phone and don’t want to nationwide, volunteers are in February. Sann Oo and the team strap the istration Council – as the junta “I want them to meet one last answer calls,” she said. going house-to-house to col- Widespread anger at the coup corpse onto a stretcher, cover dubs itself – called for doctors time,” he sobbed into the “It’s not because I don’t want to lect the fast-rising number of – and fear of being seen to coop- it with a blanket and navigate and nurses to volunteer for the phone. do my duties … it’s because I’m victims dying in their homes. erate with the regime – is also the narrow wooden staircase Covid-19 effort, admitting it For Than Than Soe, such suffering a lot of pain.” AFP Early each morning, Than keeping many away from mili- down to the street. was facing “difficulties” in con- Than Soe’s phone starts ringing tary-run hospitals, leaving vol- They carry the stretcher to trolling the surge. with requests from family unteers to source precious oxy- the van while another volun- State media on July 17 report- members of those who have gen and bring the dead for teer hits a gong used in Bud- ed that authorities were rush- died in the commercial capital cremation. dhist funeral rites. ing in oxygen supplies from Yangon. Sann Oo, who began working As they arrive at the Kyi Su neighbouring Thailand and She writes the name, address as a volunteer driver when the crematorium there are at least China. and contact number of the vic- pandemic’s first wave hit Myan- eight other ambulances already The UN’s special rapporteur tim in a ledger and dispatches mar last year, says a typical parked outside. for human rights in Myanmar a team to their home. working day is now at least 13 The words “Dead Body Car- last week warned the country “We are running our service hours long. rier” adorn the windscreen of was at risk of “becoming a Cov- without resting,” she told AFP “We used to send patients to one of the vehicles. id-19 super-spreader state”. at the bustling office of her vol- hospitals,” he told AFP. “We Medical workers who were at Than Than Soe said two of unteer group. asked patients ‘which hospital the forefront of Myanmar’s her team had tested positive Every day “my team is col- do you wanna go to?’ Covid-19 response before the since the recent spike, and one lecting between 30-40 dead “But now it’s different. When coup have been targeted after has died. bodies … I think other teams we receive incoming calls, we leading early mass protests “Everything I hear is only bad will be the same like us”. have to ask, ‘Which ceme- against junta rule. news,” she added. “Sometimes, there are two tery?’” Top health officials, includ- One man her office helped dead bodies in one house.” Authorities reported almost ing the head of Myanmar’s vac- called his brother at the Kyi Su With medical staff on strike against the junta, volunteers are taking on Hospitals around the country 5,500 cases on July 17, up from cination programme, have cemetery, where his mother the risky job of disposing of Covid victims’ bodies. STR/AFP Singapore set to ship oxygen to Indonesia regularly

SINGAPORE has arranged for regular On July 19, four tanks containing 80 noted. shipments of emergency oxygen supplies tonnes of liquid oxygen arrived at Tanjung The programme is coordinated by the to Indonesia, under a programme to sup- Priok Port in Jakarta. The next shipment Singaporean foreign ministry, and sup- port its neighbouring country’s fight is scheduled in a week’s time. ported by the defence ministry and the against Covid-19. Senior Minister and Coordinating Min- Changi Regional Humanitarian Assist- The Oxygen Shuttle programme will see ister for National Security Teo Chee Hean ance and Disaster Relief Coordination more than 500 tonnes of oxygen shipped said the shipments under the programme Centre. to Indonesia till August, to supplement the will be done on a weekly basis over the In addition, the Singapore government urgent need at medical facilities there, the next month. In a Facebook post on July sent oxygen cylinders and concentrators, Singaporean foreign ministry said in a 19, he said 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen can ventilators and other medical supplies and statement on July 19. fill about 10,000 cylinders with oxygen equipment to Indonesia on July 9 and 11. This comes as Indonesia faces a surge gas. The foreign ministry said: “These efforts, in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks. Teo added that he has been in touch as well as the contributions organised by The country reported a record 1,338 with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister non-government and private entities, new Covid-19 deaths on July 19, pushing for Maritime Affairs and Investments attest to the close relationship, solidarity its total fatalities to 74,920. Luhut Pandjaitan, who is overseeing the and strong mutual support between Sin- The number of new cases recorded on nation’s Covid-19 response. gapore and Indonesia in overcoming the ISO tanks filled with liquid oxygen arriving at Changi Naval Base for July 19 was 34,257, bringing the overall “We will do our utmost to ride out this shared challenges of Covid-19.” THE STRAITS transport by the Singaporean navy, on July 11. SINGAPORE DEFENCE MINISTRY infections to more than 2.91 million. tough time together with Indonesia,” he TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

The seismic shift in global finance www.phnompenhpost.com EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Opinion Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Andrew Sheng Managing Editor UGUST 15 marks the 50th Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor anniversary of US President phuon Chansereivuth Nixon delinking the US dollar Chief of Staff from gold. Instead of a crisis, phak Seangly Athe ensuing half century marked the Business Editor pre-eminence of the US financial sys- May Kunmakara tem to global dominance. Deputy Business Editor In 2017, US Treasury Secretary Sangeetha Amarthalingam Mnuchin commissioned four major Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk studies on the US financial system pan Simala that reviewed its efficiency, resil- Senior Reporters ience, innovation and regulation. Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear These surveys highlighted the US Reporters dominance in all four areas of bank- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, ing, capital markets, asset manage- Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Hong Raksmey, ment and financial technology. To pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, quote: “The US banking system is the Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, strongest in the world” . . . “The US capital markets are the largest, deep- Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha est, and most vibrant in the world . . . Photographers [that] include the $29 trillion equity Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey market, the $14 trillion market for US Web Editor Treasury securities, the $8.5 trillion Leang phannara corporate bond market, and $200 Digital Team trillion (notional amount) derivatives Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy market.” “Nine of the top 10 largest Desktop Publishing Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, global asset managers are headquar- A Chinese bank employee counts US dollar bills in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. The US dollar accounted for 88 per cent in paired Than Veasna tered in the US.” In the area of finan- foreign exchange currency trading in 2019 and 59 per cent of official foreign exchange holdings. afp cial technology, “US firms accounted SIEM REAP BUREAU for nearly half of the $117 billion in regulations and higher bank capital and companies struggle to deal with increasingly acrimonious geopolitical Offi ce Manager cumulative global investments from and liquidity costs. ` shifting goal posts and game changes. rivalry, what are the risks of financial Sophearith Blondeel 2010 to 2017”. Second, financial technology has The Ant Finance and Didi events accidents that can easily escalate to PRODUCTION & PRINTING Nhim Sokphyrak Under-pinning the US financial enabled new arrivals in the financial are more a reflection of regulatory financial crises? In the 2008 global Commercial and Graphic Designer system’s success is of course the US sector comprising not new fintech concerns whether large domestic financial crisis, G20 stood together to Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith dollar’s dominant currency pricing startups, but also Big Tech platforms Big Data platforms should be subject execute a whole range of responses. role. The dollar accounted for 88 that are using Big Data, Artificial In- to foreign legislation with national This time round, there is no unity as per cent in paired foreign exchange telligence, apps and their dominance security implications. Will India, for the US continues to apply financial currency trading in 2019 and 59 per of cloud computing to provide more example, continue to allow foreign Big sanctions against her enemies and cent of official foreign exchange convenient, speedy and customer- Tech to own all their client data? rivals, amounting to 4,283 cases as HEAD OFFICE holdings. It is widely used in trade oriented finance for individuals and Fourth, the regulatory trend to- of January 2021, of which 246 and 8 Post Media Co., Ltd. invoicing in manufacturing but less businesses. This month, a major BIS wards “open financial data” in which respectively were against Chinese and The Elements Condominium Level 7, so in services trade. As a major IMF study on the implications of fintech banks would open up their client Hong Kong entities. Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, study has shown, this pricing role im- and digitisation on financial market databases to allow new players to ac- The bubble in fintech valuation Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom pacts on emerging market economy structure showed how Big Tech has cess customer accounts and data will that has fueled rising stock markets Penh, Cambodia (EME) exchange rate policies, as their muscled into traditional banking ser- provide new products and services. and investments in technology is Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 devaluation would have only limited vices, especially in payment services, But this means also severe concerns fundamentally driven by central Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 positive impact on their exports, but lending and even asset management. on client privacy and data security. bank loose monetary policy. Central Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 amplifies their import contraction. Taking the growth of NBFIs and No country has yet figured out how bank assets have grown faster on an SIEM REAP Furthermore, because EME debt is Big Tech together, the traditional to manage competition fairly in the average of 8.4 per cent per annum No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune largely denominated in dollars, any bank regulators and supervisors find fintech world when five firms (Ama- between 2013-2018, than banks (3.8 Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 dollar appreciation would have an that they regulate less and less of the zon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Oracle) per cent) or NBFIs (5.9 per cent) to COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT overall contractionary impact on financial system, but central banks are dominate 70 per cent of cloud-relat- reach 7.5 per cent of global financial Chief Operating Offi cer EME liquidity and growth. This is responsible for overall financial stabil- ed infrastructure services. assets. Does this mean that financial James Ong Soon Teck why US interest rate increases are ity! Regulating the complex financial Fifth, blockchain technology, cy- markets can assume that central Advertising Department feared not just by the US Treasury, eco-system is like trying to tie down a ber-currencies and central bank digi- banks will continue to underwrite Chap Narith, 017 996 241 but also almost all EME economies. huge elephant by a bunch of special- tal currencies are now increasingly their prosperity? Hun Channet, 017 578 768 Several factors combined to create ists each trapped in their own silos. coming on-stream, making possible As inflation rears its head, central prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 the recent seismic shift in the global And politically, no one wants to give a payments and transactions that rely banks will have to reverse their loose Keo puthy, 012 966 605 financial landscape. First, financial super-regulator power to rule them all. less on official currencies and also monetary stance, thus putting the paing patrya, 081 872 202 technology has eroded the domi- Third, the financial landscape outside the purview of regulation. global financial system under stress. Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 nant share of the banking system. entered new minefields because of In short, the official regulators are The global financial system has CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION The Financial Stability Board (FSB) intense geopolitical rivalry. If global responsible for system stability, but structural and regulatory cracks, but Acting Distribution Manager 2020 report on non-bank financial supply chains are going to be de- may not have access to what is really they can only be fixed by having some Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 institutions (NBFI) revealed that as coupled by different standards, and going on in blockchain space. That is political understanding amongst the Circulation Supervisor of end-2019, they accounted for 49.5 we arrive at a Splinternet of different an accident waiting to happen. big players. Without this, expect a Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 per cent of global financial assets technology standards, how should All these suggest that the global fi- messy outcome. ASIA NEWS NETWORK ADMINISTRATION of $404 trillion, compared with 38.5 finance respond? As the US applies nancial system has grown faster, more Admin & HR Manager per cent for the banks. Indeed, total pressure on Chinese companies and complex and entangled than any sin- The author writes on global issues from an pich Socheat NBFI lending now exceed bank lend- individuals through new sanctions gle nation to manage on its own. If the Asian perspective. The views expressed are Assistants Admin & HR Manager ing, partly because of tighter bank and legislation, financial institutions largest financial systems are caught in his own. Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking 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 july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle

A young girl poses with the caricature portrait thatThuokna drew for her. Photo SUPPLIED Phen Lina sent this photo to Thuokna via Facebook and received this portrait back. Photo SUPPLIED Caricature artist inspiring laughter in B’bang

Hong Raksmey

T FIRST glance, the face staring back at Phen Lina from the artist’s page – with its huge lips, symmetrically over-inflatedA cheeks, and eyelashes longer than the whiskers on a cat – was just a silly cartoon-style carica- ture drawn for her amusement. But after a few moments of giggling at the absurd face that the artist drew for her, she realized that it really was an accurate – though wildly exag- gerated – likeness of her. He got the shape of her face, her mouth and her hair-style spot on. “Even though it was just a cartoon, I could recognize my face particularly my mouth, eyes and hair,” said Lina, who sent an original photo of herself to the artist – who then drew the cari- cature portrait for her and sent it to her via Facebook Messenger. If you’re feeling bored, tired and a Thuokna is also a skilled body painter and animator. Photo SUPPLIED Thuokna posing in front of some of his caricatures in Battambang. Photo SUPPLIED little bit fed up with life in the Covid- 19 era at the moment, you might get and anyone passing by can. over town.” ing high school in 2016 he decided He says he learned a lot from an ex- a few chuckles out of having a cari- Thuokna, 26, was born in Bat- Since many celebrations have been to enrol in animation classes, but he pat teacher who ran workshops with cature of yourself drawn up by the tambang and is originally from the cancelled or banned due to Covid-19, faced challenges with his studies be- Phare Ponleu Selpak. . young Battambang artist Thuokna Moung Ruessei district, is the artist he says he has switched to serving his cause he was living in town to study, While there are very few carica- Sin. best known for creating these cari- customers via social media. far away from his rural home. ture artist in the Kingdom and not Known for its rich culture and his- catures and he says he tries to strike “If you want to have some fun when Generally, Cambodian youth de- many chances yet for him to prove tory, Battambang still has some of its a balance between making fun of you feel upset, let’s try this fun cari- pend on their families for housing his abilities, Thuokna says “Rest as- colonial-era buildings left standing his customers while keeping them cature. The price is just $25 and you while pursuing their studies, but sured that I can make cartoons and today. Some of them were featured laughing too so there are no hard will get a nice frame that goes with Thuokna had no family available to 3D characters for videos, movies and in the Hollywood movie about Cam- feelings. it free of charge,” Thuokna wrote on him to help him continue to pursue other programmes with a high level bodia First They Killed My Father “The key point for these funny Facebook. his dreams in art. of skill.” produced by Angelina Jolie. cartoons is always the shape of their Having seen similar drawings on “Living far from my family in order Thuokna says he is always willing It is also famous as the home of the face and the eyes, mouth and hair. It social media by artists in other coun- to study animation, I found it very to learn more and he’s trying to get legendary golden voiced singer Sin does take skill as an artist to capture tries whose mimicry of their subjects difficult in many ways. I could not af- to a place where he can use all of his Sisamuth and today it features the enough of what’s real so that they can never fails to make people laugh, ford to buy food, learning materials various abilities – animation, carica- Phare Ponleu Selpak circus and arts recognize themselves because if they Cambodians were surprised when or even rent a place to live. ture, model fashion design, cartoon academy, which is busy teaching the can’t then the joke [portrait] just isn’t they saw that they were now avail- “So I asked the chief of monk of the design, comic characters design, next generation of Cambodian art- funny,” he says. able here. Kandal pagoda to let me stay there body painting, canvas painting and ists and performers. Prior to the general outbreak of “Everybody laughs when they see and I also took time to make money even his hobby of making music. The provincial town has charmed Covid-19 in the Kingdom, Thuokna their drawing for the first time. Even working night shifts because my fam- Working at the Phare Creative Stu- visitors with its under-the-radar but had more chances to create and those who might not think that theirs ily could not support me,” he recalls. dio at Phare Ponleu Selpak, Thuokna flourishing performing and visual show his artwork in exchange for is very funny are usually told other- After three years of animation never forgets to show his gratitude to arts scenes, both traditional and con- some income to support his family wise by their friends. I’m always hap- classes, Thuokna found a job in ani- all of the people around him who en- temporary in nature. and continue to pursue his broader piest when the customers are laugh- mation and set about trying to make couraged him, inspired him or who One of the least publicized and cel- dreams in the art field. ing as hard as their friends are about a career in the industry. he learned valuable lessons from. ebrated forms of art in Battambang Before the pandemic struck, he it though,” he says. “I love drawing and my commit- Despite the economic situation are the affordable and popular cari- would carry his drawing pad and Thuokna says that it takes between ment to art is very strong. I try to play with the pandemic, Thuokna re- cature drawings being done for tour- pencils and go from event to event, ten and 15 minutes for him to com- my role and do my best because I mains confident that his future will ists and curious locals, especially night after night, getting paid to draw plete a single person drawing and love the career that I’m working in. be bright and his days will always be youths. caricatures of the guests as a fun at- the price is usually based on the size Believe it or not, a career in art re- filled with the work of creating art for Even the process of sitting and traction at various public gatherings. of the paper, A4 or AO. quires more patient than talent,” he himself and others. waiting for a caricature artist to draw Thuokna told The Post that “I was “Per day I can draw between 20 says. “If you want to get a caricature a funny portrait of you is entertaining booked for a lot of different events and 30 caricatures for people,” said Thuokna began by studying regu- drawn and help to empower a local – because of the anticipation – and like condo warming parties, wedding Thuokna. lar drawing with pencil and paper in artist, please contact me at 069 87 95 the fact that you can’t see what they receptions, birthday parties, school Thuokna has been interested in art 2013 and moved onto computer ani- 76 or via Facebook: Thuokna arts- are busy creating but your friends parties and other celebrations all since his childhood and after finish- mation and studied that until 2019. mall.” – Thuokna Sin THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Chuno, the Andean secret to making ‘mummified’ potatoes last decades

t’s seven o’clock in the chuno. They died more than morning on Bolivia’s al- 20 years ago but [the chuno] tiplano, and through the remains preserved,” said morning fog is visible an Mamani. Iuneven carpet of thousands of potatoes, spread out in front Frost of a water tank near a house. Archeologist Jedu Sagar- It’s a common sight at farms naga believes this conserva- in Machacamarca, a small vil- tion method was developed lage to the south of La Paz. “probably during the For- “This is how we make chu- mative Period” from around no,” says Prudencia Huanca, 2,000 to 200 BC. 52, referring to a traditional It may be even older, as 2017 dehydration practice which tests on chuno dug up in Peru allows potatoes to be eaten showed it was more than 5,000 decades after they are dug up years old. – without losing their nutri- As the sun rises and fog dis- tional properties. sipates in Machacamarca, Huanca and her husband Huanca and Mamani spread at Egberto Mamani, 56, produce least 10 different potato variet- chuno from the potatoes they ies over sacks on the ground. grow on a small piece of land It has been a tough growing about an hour from the capital. season for them. Chuno comes from the “The frost wiped out every- indigenous Aymara word thing,” complains Mamani. ch’unu. It is also practiced in Peru, but its origins are Mummification process uncertain. If temperatures drop to be- Before the pandemic, this low zero before winter arrives, farming couple worked in the potatoes die before they tourism in La Paz, but that are ready to be harvested. From the Aymara word ‘ch’unu’, this ancestral method of uncertain origin allows potatoes to be stored for decades without losing their work dried up when restric- Before deciding which pota- nutritional properties. AFP tions to halt the spread of toes to conserve for the long- Covid-19 were imposed. term, the couple first pick have been chosen, the cou- for about two weeks, enough Chuno is cultivated in June then boiled for five minutes. So they returned to their out some for immediate con- ple lugs them down a hill to time for the so-called “mum- and July, during the southern In an inhospitable region home village to take up a fam- sumption or to use as seeds the field where they are left mification” process to be hemisphere winter when tem- where the window for cultivat- ily tradition. for the following spring. for three days to freeze over- completed. peratures drop low enough ing the land is short, residents “I still have my parents’ Once potatoes for chuno night and dry out during the The chuno process takes – -5 degrees Celsius – for the are able to eat chuno all year day. three weeks in total, after which potatoes to freeze in the open round. That way they dehydrate and the potatoes have become dark air. It can be served in a variety shrink – the key to longevity. brown or even black. The altiplano lies at 3,900m of styles, but is usually eaten But even after three days, Another chuno variety, altitude, where daytime and as a snack during long work some water still remains in the called tunta, preserve the po- nighttime conditions con- hours in the fields. potatoes. So Huanca and Ma- tatoes’ white colour. trast sharply, allowing nature Huanca and Mamani lay mani wash their feet in a bowl These are left in permeable to perform a process that re- their table ready for lunch: and then take turns stomping plastic bags in a river or lake, quires industrial freeze-drying chicken with plantain and on them, much like winemak- sheltered from the sun, for 20- in lower-lying lands. potatoes roasted in a clay ers crushing grapes. 30 days. This technique shrinks the oven, and some 10-year-old It’s a communal activity, potato to a fifth of its original chuno. and neighbours come over to Substance over flavour size, making it easier to store Soft, brown and bitter, Ma- help, chatting in their Aymara “The secret for good chuno and transport, while also mani is not a fan of the taste, language. is that it has to be a gritty and creating resistance to insect but he values substance over Some stomp on the chuno sweet potato,” said Huanca. infestations. flavour. while others peel potatoes. She says she learned the Chuno is kept in a dry place “We make chuno so we’re Peasants rest in Machacamarca, Bolivia, after working in the elaboration The next step sees the po- technique from her great- until it is ready to eat, when it never lacking for food,” he of chuno (dehydrated potato) on June 30. AFP tatoes returned to the field great-grandparents. is soaked for a few hours and says. AFP Prince Harry to publish memoir exposing ‘lessons learned’ in life Britain’s Prince Harry is penning an inti- “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity During the two-hour sit-down, viewed mate and honest memoir that will expose to share what I’ve learned over the course by more than 17 million people in the US the “mistakes” and “lessons learned” of my life so far and excited for people to and over 11 million in Britain, Harry and across his life, publisher Penguin Random read a firsthand account of my life that’s Meghan said racism had played a part in House said on Monday. accurate and wholly truthful.” them quitting Britain. The announcement comes at a time of Unveiling the plans on Twitter, the giant The couple said a senior royal had spec- strained relations between Harry and the New York-based publishing house ulated how dark their child’s skin would be British royal family, amid allegations by his described the book – scheduled for late before he was born. Meghan’s mother is wife Meghan of bullying and royal racism, next year – as “an intimate and heartfelt black and her father is white. and the couple’s shock move to the US last memoir from one of the most fascinating Their first child Archie is now aged two, year. and influential global figures of our while Harry and Meghan last month It will be the first time a senior British time.” announced the birth of their daughter royal has ever written such a book, accord- The book will cover his childhood – Har- Lilibet Diana – named for Harry’s grand- ing to British media reports. ry was just 12 years old when his mother, mother Queen Elizabeth II and his late “I’m writing this not as the prince I was Prince Diana, died in a Paris car crash – as mother. born but as the man I have become,” said well as his military service, including two According to British media reports, the Prince Harry in a statement published by tours of Afghanistan. book is being ghost-written by JR Moe- Penguin Random House. The “honest and captivating personal hringer – a Pulitzer Prize-winner who pre- “I’ve worn many hats over the years, both portrait” will also recount the “joy he has viously co-wrote tennis legend Andre literally and figuratively, and my hope is found in being a husband and father”, Agassi’s autobiography. that in telling my story – the highs and according to the publisher. A first draft is almost completed and is lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, sat in March due to be submitted in October, according can help show that no matter where we for a bombshell interview with US talk to the reports. Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, gestures at the unveiling of a come from, we have more in common show host Oprah Winfrey, triggering the Prince Harry will be donating proceeds statue of their mother, Princess Diana, at The Sunken Garden in than we think. royal family’s biggest crisis in decades. to charity, said the publisher. AFP Kensington Palace. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Indian Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in 2018. Mumbai police have arrested Kundra for allegedly producing and broadcasting pornographic films online. AFP Star Shetty’s husband “VARYING QUANTITIES”

ACROSS 43 Dele a dele 9 Teach on the side apprehended for porn 44 Weather center? 10 Question for the courts? 1 Hydrotherapy havens 5 Biographical opening? 45 Soap 11 Fine droplets UMBAI police “We have sufficient evidence India has stringent laws 9 Busch Gardens city ingredient 12 “Hunny” bear have arrested regarding this,” police said in against publishing and trans- 14 ___ sapiens 46 October birthstones 13 British royal Bollywood star a press release, adding that mitting “obscene material”, 15 Give a little nudge 48 Shade 21 Hilton employee Shilpa Shetty’s investigations were ongoing. but watching pornography in 16 Confederacy foe or tone 22 Sports heavyweights Mhusband Raj Kundra for alleg- The arrest is the latest scan- private is legal. 17 Muslim prayer leader 49 Ohio football pro 25 Snazzily dressed edly producing and broadcast- dal to hit Kundra, who has two According to the adult site 18 Moccasin emission 52 Feature of Granny Smith apples 26 Dashboard instruments, briefly ing pornographic films online, children with Shetty, the 2007 Pornhub, the nation of 1.3 bil- 19 “Baddest Man on the Planet,” 57 Heavenly hunter 27 Acclaim 58 Layered mineral 28 Long-legged wading bird six years after the business- winner of British reality show lion was its third largest source once 20 Impassioned 59 Tenpenny, e.g. 31 Split country man was banned from cricket- Celebrity Big Brother. of traffic in 2018, behind the 60 Mythical Cretan king 32 Makes tolerable related activities over match- In 2015, Kundra was banned US and Britain. 22 Provide comfort to 23 Waterproofing material 61 Bucks in a register 33 It may be out on a limb fixing charges. for life from all cricket-related In 2015, a government-ap- 24 Store cremated remains 62 Gilligan’s confines 35 Bay window Police announced Kundra’s activities, following an investi- pointed board of censors 26 Computer expert 63 Cecil the sea serpent’s pal 38 Bringing death arrest late on Monday, calling gation into match-fixing during blocked the release of the erotic 29 “Platoon” war zone, informally 64 Fairy-tale heavy 42 Joint inflammation the 45-year-old “the key con- his stint as the co-owner with film Fifty Shades of Grey in cin- 30 Barely gets by (with “out”) 65 Stash away 45 Coinable line spirator” in a case involving the Shetty of the Rajasthan Royals, emas, despite being shown a 34 Caustic DOWN 47 Colorful violet creation and publication of a franchise in the hugely suc- toned-down version, sparking 35 Chancellor von Bismarck 1 Blade in prison 49 Stinkeroo on Broadway adult films via internet apps. cessful Indian Premier League. claims of moral policing. AFP 36 Yearling, once 2 Fleshy fruit 50 New York canal 37 Group with a common ancestor 3 Baby’s nurse, in China 51 1492 ship of note 38 Banjo ridges 4 What a clue provides 53 Dell competitor 39 Around 5 Geometric figure 54 An NFC division 40 Install, as a door 6 “___ go bragh!” 55 Cylindrical storage structure 41 Full of breezes 7 Intriguing to the max 56 Killed, as a dragon Latest Almodovar movie to 42 Say “hi” to 8 Hospital bracelets, essentially 58 Pastoral sound kick off Venice Film Festival Tuesday’s solution PEDRO Almodovar’s Madres female solidarity, of a sexual- the festival in 2019. Paralelas (Parallel Mothers), ity lived in full freedom and He debuted at Venice in 1983 starring the Spanish filmmaker’s without hypocrisy”. with his black comedy, Entre muses Penelope Cruz and Rossy The 71-year-old filmmaker Tinieblas (Dark Habits). De Palma, will open the 78th was awarded a Golden Lion The festival will be held this Venice Film Festival in Septem- for lifetime achievement by year from September 1 - 11. AFP ber, organisers said on Monday. The film – which follows two single women in different stages of life preparing to give birth in a maternity ward – will compete for the prestigious competition’s top prize, the Golden Lion. “I was really born as a director Tuesday’s solution in Venice in 1983 . . . 38 years later, I am called to open the festival,” said the Oscar-winning Almodovar in a statement. “I am truly grateful to the fes- tival for this recognition and hope to live up to it,” he added. The director of the festival, Alberto Barbera, called Almo- dovar’s film an “intense and sensitive portrait of two wom- en facing pregnancy with Pedro Almodovar was awarded a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement unpredictable implications, of in Venice in 2019. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Hamilton racially abused on social media over British Grand Prix win

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Formula One British Grand Prix motor race at Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 18. AFP

ewis Hamilton was the vic- Verstappen plough his Red Bull into a joint statement condemning the online abuse must be highlighted Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho tim of “multiple instances of a wall and out of the race. behaviour “in the strongest possible and eliminated.” who were also abused after they racist abuse on social media” Hamilton was hit by a 10 second terms”. Verstappen, who was taken to missed penalties in the Euro 2020 during and after his contro- penalty but went on to win the race “These people have no place in our hospital for checks after the race, final. versialL win in the British Grand Prix, and close the gap in the title race to sport and we urge that those respon- later accused Hamilton of “dis- “I hope this opens a conversation according to a joint statement by just eight points. sible should be held accountable for respectful and unsportsmanlike around acceptance,” he wrote on In- Formula One, the FIA and his Mer- “During, and after, yesterday’s Brit- their actions. behaviour”. stagram at the time. cedes team. ish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was “Formula 1, the FIA, the drivers A public supporter of the Black “We must work towards a society The seven-time world champion subjected to multiple instances of and the teams are working to build Lives Matter movement, Hamilton that doesn’t require Black players to was involved early on in an incident racist abuse on social media follow- a more diverse and inclusive sport, gave his support a week ago to the prove their value or place in society that saw championship leader Max ing an in-race collision,” they said in and such unacceptable instances of England footballers Bukayo Saka, only through victory.” AFP Fourth Covid case in Olympic Village as Toyota stops ads

Tokyo’s Olympic Village was player became the fourth case mate also isolating as a result. not be present at the opening tests from two South African Athletes are tested daily at hit by a fourth coronavirus case and the third infected athlete Neither was named. ceremony. footballers and a video analyst. the Olympics, where they are on Monday and major sponsor in the Village, where thousands The delayed 2020 Games will “Toyota officials will not at- Twenty-one members of the also told to observe social dis- Toyota said it would not run of competitors are living in a officially get under way on Fri- tend the opening ceremony, South African men’s football tancing and wear masks unless any Games-related TV ads as biosecure “bubble”. day in a near-empty Olympic and the chief reason behind it contingent are in isolation af- they are competing, eating or the event struggled for support Elsewhere, a teenage female Stadium, with Tokyo under a is there will be no spectators,” ter being named as close con- sleeping. just days before the opening gymnast became the first coronavirus state of emergen- Toyota spokeswoman Shiori tacts, disrupting preparations When asked about the risk of ceremony. American athlete to test posi- cy after a spike in cases. Hashimoto said. for their opening game on a cluster in the Village, McClos- A Czech beach volleyball tive at the Games, with a team- The latest Asahi Shimbun Fewer than 1,000 Olympic Thursday against Japan. key said: “All the measures that newspaper poll found a ma- officials and VIPs including Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa we have in place . . . will reduce jority of respondents, 55 per sponsors will be allowed to Takaya earlier said, before the the risk of spreading it.” cent, were against holding the watch the opening ceremony latest cases came to light, that Composer Keigo Oyamada, Games this summer, with 33 on Friday, according to Japa- there had been 61 positive cas- known as Cornelius, is the lat- per cent in favour. nese media. es connected with the Games est in a string of departures And a composer for the Toyota’s operating officer Jun so far – a tiny fraction of the from the Tokyo Olympic set-up, opening ceremony stepped Nagata earlier told reporters it thousands of tests carried out. including former chief Yoshiro down after admitting bullying was becoming more difficult “The IOC [International Mori, who stepped down over disabled schoolmates, com- for the Olympics to strike a Olympic Committee] and To- sexist comments. ments that caused an outcry in positive chord with the public. kyo 2020 are absolutely clear After news of his involve- Japan. “It is turning into an Olym- that the Olympic Village is a ment in the ceremony circulat- It has not been a smooth final pics that cannot get under- safe place to stay,” Takaya said. ed online, interviews from the build-up for the Games, which standing [from the public] in Brian McCloskey, chairman mid-1990s reemerged in which were postponed last year, but various ways,” Nagata told of the Independent Expert he discussed, without appar- officials will hope the tide of Japanese media. Panel advising the IOC, said a ent remorse, his bullying of public opinion turns when the system of “filtering” – starting schoolmates with handicaps. sports programme starts. ‘Safe place to stay’ with athletes being tested be- “I have become painfully In a sign of the current sen- Organisers insisted the Vil- fore departure – was working. aware that accepting the offer of timent Toyota, the world’s big- lage was safe despite the coro- “The numbers we’re seeing my musical participation in the Police officers stand outside the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic gest automaker, said it would navirus diagnosis for Czech are actually extremely low,” he Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Para- Village on July 14, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which begin on not run Olympics-related TV beach volleyball player Ondrej said. “They’re probably lower lympics lacked consideration to July 23. AFP ads, and its executives would Perusic, which follows positive than we expected, if anything.” a lot of people,” he said. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 21, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Osaka grateful for support and eager for Tokyo 2020 Games

ennis star Naomi it better, more interesting and Osaka, preparing to more enjoyable for each side,” return to competition she wrote. at the Tokyo Olym- “Less subject vs. object; pics,T says former US first lady more peer to peer.” Michelle Obama and Michael But the former world num- Phelps were among those ber one, who also skipped who offered support after she Wimbledon, wrote that she withdrew from the French hopes sport authorities will Open citing mental health “enact measures to protect reasons. athletes, especially the frag- In an essay for Time maga- ile ones,” perhaps allowing zine’s Olympic preview issue, players to sometimes forego the four-time Grand Slam media obligations without champion from Japan said punishment. Phelps, the 23-time Olympic “There can be moments for swimming gold medallist any of us where we are deal- who has opened up about his ing with issues behind the own mental health struggles, scenes,” Osaka said. “Each of had told her that by speaking us as humans is going through up she may have saved a life. something on some level. “If that’s true, then it was “I do hope that people can all worth it,” Osaka said of relate and understand it’s OK the controversy that arose to not be OK, and it’s OK. to when she withdrew from the talk about it,” Osaka added. French Open, where she was “There are people who can fined $15,000 for failing to help, and there is usually light meet mandatory media re- at the end of any tunnel.” quirements. Osaka said that after taking Osaka had said that she be- several weeks to “recharge lieved post-match news con- and spend time with my ferences were detrimental to loved ones” she “could not her mental health, and in her be more excited to play in Time essay she said she still Tokyo. believed the format was “out “An Olympic Games itself of date and in great need of is special . . . I hope I can a refresh. make them [her home fans] “I believe that we can make proud.” AFP Japan’s Naomi Osaka (top) attends a training session at the Ariake Tennis Park ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on Tuesday. AFP Alex Carey to captain Australia in first South Africa captain Kolisi one-day international against ‘Windies’ tests positive for Covid-19, Alex Carey will captain Australia in Carey, 29, will become Australia’s greatest privileges in sport and an the first one-day international against 26th ODI captain and takes the man- honour I am extremely thankful to Springboks ponder Lions the West Indies, Cricket Australia tle in the absence of regular vice-cap- receive. Finchy is our captain and we announced Tuesday, after Aaron Finch tain Pat Cummins, who is sitting out will welcome him back with open Rugby World Cup winners South play, he said he is ready to return was ruled out through injury. the West Indies tour along with a host arms when he is fully fit, so for now I Africa are sweating on the availabil- to action after a period in isolation Finch re-aggravated a right knee of senior players including Steve hope I can fill the role to his extreme- ity of captain Siya Kolisi just 48 hours as a close contact of Covid-infected injury during last week’s fifth Twen- Smith and David Warner. ly high standards.” before naming their team for Satur- players. ty20 against the West Indies and Crick- “I am deeply honoured to be able to Australia lost the Twenty20 series to day’s first Test against theB ritish and “Emotionally, physically, we are all et Australia said his availability for the lead the team while Aaron recovers,” the West Indies 4-1 and with several Irish Lions. ready,” said the 27-year-old Montpel- second and third ODIs will be assessed said Carey, who has previously cap- stars missing, Carey will lead an inex- Springbok assistant coach Mz- lier playmaker. on a daily basis. tained Australia A, the Adelaide Strik- perienced ODI team in which Josh wandile Stick told an online news South Africa and the Lions will play All three matches are being played ers and South Australia. Philippe, Ben McDermott and Riley conference on Monday Kolisi and a three-Test series, which starts in in Barbados, starting on Wednesday. “To captain Australia is one of the Meredith are in the mix to make their other members of the squad who Cape Town on July 24 and continues debuts. tested positive for Covid-19 would in Johannesburg on July 31 and Au- Carey’s leadership potential was need to be assessed by a medical spe- gust 7. recognised at an early age, although cialist before being cleared to play. The Springboks have won eight of not in cricket. “By tonight [Monday] we will know the previous 13 series, the Lions four A talented junior Australian Rules who can play,” Stick said. and one was drawn. AFP footballer, he was the first official skip- Flanker Kolisi, hooker Bongi per of the Australian Football League’s Mbonambi, prop Frans Malherbe, newest team, the Greater Western fly-half Handre Pollard, winger Sydney Giants, albeit when they were Makazole Mapimpi and utility still only part of Victoria’s Under-18 back Francois Steyn were placed in competition. isolation after testing positive for When later told he had been cut Covid-19. from the squad due to a lack of speed, Stick said there was a strong lead- he switched his focus to cricket and ership group in the Springbok camp within two years had made his debut from which to select a captain if Koli- for South Australia. si, who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in The left-hander has been a mainstay 2019, could not play. of the Australian ODI side since his Pollard, who kicked 22 points in the debut against England in 2018 and is World Cup final triumph over Eng- India’s captain Virat Kohli (right) plays a shot as Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey seen as a strong contender to take over land in Japan, is the vice-captain. Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions breaks looks on during the third one-day international cricket match against Australia at Manuka the gloves from Tim Paine when the As one of the candidates to take away Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during Oval in Canberra on December 2 last year. AFP Test keeper retires. AFP over the captaincy if Kolisi cannot the Rugby union match on July 14. AFP