News

• 30 August, 2016

A NEW CHAPTER FOR EUROCHAM ADVOCACY: DIRECT COLLABORATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE - August 9

This month EuroCham's advocacy program reached a major milestone: On August 9th, EuroCham leadership including Chairman Arnaud Darc met with the Senior Minister of Economy and Finance and officials from MEF subdivisions General Department of Customs and Excise and General Department of Taxation to strategize collaboration with EuroCham. The Senior Minister stressed his appreciation of the EuroCham White Book and as a result of the meeting granted MEF subdivisions autonomy to work directly with EuroCham in solving issues affecting EuroCham members and the private sector.

EUROCHAM ASSISTS MEMBERS IN TOURISM SECTOR AT MAJOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE MEETING - 12 August 

Ensuring the Secretariat at a major public-private Tourism meeting (G-PSF Working Group B on Tourism), EuroCham and the Ministry of Tourism jointly presented over a dozen recently solved issues affecting tourism in Cambodia. For example, Tourism business licensing will be better enforced, more tourist hotlines are available for safety incidents, the new annual Tourism Green Business Award has been announced, a second home program for retirees is being finalized, and more. 

EuroCham also raised the following issues on behalf of its members: concerns with the posting of visa fees at international entry points, training for migration officials on hospitality and Chinese language, the establishment of a National Institute of Tourism, and the improvement of road safety and delaying the Angkor Pass fee increase from February 2017 to October 2017 so travel agents can adapt to the higher fees.

Automotive Committee Meeting with Institute Standards of Cambodia - 11 August

The meeting was attended by the heads and members of the EuroCham Automotive Committees with the Director General and heads of departments of the Institute. The meeting discussed Prakas No.150 of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft on Technical Regulations on Automotive Products. As a result of the meeting, the Director General of the Institute kindly asked the EuroCham Automotive Committee to send a letter requesting  an extension of the implementation of the Prakas following an industry-discussion of its technical aspects.

Launching Ceremony of Results of Foreign Direct Investment Survey 2014 - 28 July 

The EuroCham Advocacy team attended a ceremony for the results of the Foreign Direct Investment Survey 2014, a study that was jointly conducted by the National Bank of Cambodia and the National Institute of Statistics, Ministry of Planning.

Workshop on Anti-dumping and Rules of Origin - 28-29 July

Mr. BUN Youdy, EuroCham’s Board Member attended the workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to disseminate the information about the anti-dumping and rules of origin to inter-ministerial officials, representatives of relevant institutions including investors and exporters. It also aims to strengthen the effectiveness of trade between Cambodia and European Union, especially the increasing of trade with European market and other international trade partners.

Meeting with the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction on urban heritage preservation - 3 August 

The EuroCham executive team and Real Estate and Construction Committee heads met with the representatives of H.E PEN Sophal, the Secretary of State of the MLMUPC to discuss plans for an upcoming training seminar on urban heritage preservation in Kratie. The meeting was an important step in determining milestones for the seminar to be likely taking place in October.

Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS): Eighth Economic Corridors Forum - 04 August 

The EuroCham Advocacy team attended the event that was participated by Ministers and senior officials from the six GMS countries, selected development partners and representatives from the private sector. The theme of the forum was “strengthening connectivity and enhancing competitiveness in the GMS corridors”. The forum discussed specific initiatives and interventions covering a range of aspects related to the theme.

Environmental Code Subtechnical Working Group 4 Meeting - 5 August

EuroCham attended meeting of the Subtechnical Working Group 4 to discuss the development of draft Environmental Code concerning heritage and national park conservation.

Cambodia International Business Fellowship Executive Programme 2016 - August 24

On Wednesday 24th August, EuroCham's Executive Director Ratana Phurik-Callebaut and chairperson of the Green Business Committee Dr. Romina de Jong addressed a delegation of entrepreneurs from Singapore to give an overview of opportunities in green business within Cambodia. The delegation was organized by Sincam in collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation.