The Construction of Second Flyover Begins

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

A ground-breaking ceremony to construct the second flyover at the intersection of Pet Lok Sang traffic light was held here today under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

This new flyover will contribute an important part in the socio-economic development and the reduction of traffic congestion in the area, said the Cambodian premier, adding that the construction’s budget is from the development of Koh Pich as it was done with the first flyover built along Monivong Blvd. adjacent to Monivong Bridge.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen further expressed the government’s determination in promoting the rehabilitation and the construction of physical infrastructure so that Cambodia’s infrastructure could catch up with that of neighboring countries in the near future.

The flyover with 345 meters long and 15.20 meters wide, in the middle of which there is a one way bridge with 160 meters long and 6.5 meters wide going to Kampuchea Krom Blvd., is expected to be completed by early 2012 and cost over US$8.7 million.

Phnom Penh Municipality has been also planning to build another flyover near Stung Meanchey Bridge. --AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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AKP/02

Cambodian Premier Presides Over Construction of Hydroelectric Dam in Koh Kong Province

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 338 megawatt Russey Chrum Krom hydroelectric dam in Mondul Seima district of Koh Kong province was held on Dec. 28 in the presence of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

The construction project of the dam, carried out by China Huadian Corp. under a contract of a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) with an investment of nearly US$500 million, is expected to be completed by 2014.

When completed, the project will contribute not only to protecting the area from flooding, promoting the tourism destination, creating jobs for the local people and improving their livelihoods, but also to increasing a capacity of electricity supplies with sustainability, and augmenting the self-reliance on power, mainly accelerating the national development and reducing the poverty in the country.

Addressing at the ceremony, Samdech Techo Hun Sen highly valued the friendly relations between Cambodia and China, saying that good cooperation between the governments of the two countries helped greatly to Cambodia’s social and economic development and has brought great amount of investment capital to Cambodia.

“The hydropower dam is just one of the numerous achievements under the cooperation between Cambodia and China,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Pan Guangxue; Defense Minister H.E. Tea Banh; Industry, Mines, Energy Minister H.E. Suy Sem and other top government officials, as well as local residents. --AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by THOU Peou

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AKP/03

DPM Sok An Receives Out-going Ambassador of Myanmar

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar H.E. U Win Shein paid here on Tuesday a farewell visit to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers H.E. Sok An.

The out-going Burmese diplomat thanked the Cambodian government for having provided him support and facilitated his diplomatic mission in Cambodia. He highly appreciated the development of the relations and cooperation between Cambodia and Myanmar.

The Burmese side has been promoting the implementation of the cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially those on tourism and tourism services, said H.E. U Win Shein, adding that in January 2011, the Burmese tourism minister will pay a visit to Cambodia and to join the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Phnom Penh.

For his part, the Cambodian deputy prime minister welcomed and highly valued the Burmese ambassador’s endeavors in boosting the relationship and cooperation between both countries, particularly in arranging the visit of Prime Minister of Myanmar Gen. Thein Sein to attend the CLMV and ACMECS Summits hosted by Cambodia in mid November.

The promotion of tourism and direct tourism service cooperation is a main factor to increase Cambodia-Myanmar economic cooperation, said H.E. Sok An, stressing that a delegation of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce will visit Myanmar soon to examine the investment opportunities and to promote the trade and economic cooperation between the two ASEAN countries. --AKP

Article in Khmer by OUK Saphan

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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AKP/04

Vietnam Praises Phnom Penh for Its Rapid Development

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has appreciated Phnom Penh capital city for its fast development in all fields during the past ten years.

Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam H.E. Nguyen Duc Kien said here on Dec. 28 during the meeting with Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Kep Chutema.

On the occasion, H.E. Nguyen Duc Kien reaffirmed Vietnam’s stance to further strengthen the good relations between both countries.

In reply, H.E. Kep Chutema said the country's development is inseparable from the valuable support and assistance from the Vietnamese people and volunteer armies to Cambodia. --AKP

By LIM Nary

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AKP/05

Cambodia To Export Black Pepper to Foreign Markets

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

Cambodia will export over 13 tons of Kampot black pepper to foreign markets in 2011, President of Kampot Pepper Association Mr. Nguon Lay said.

“In 2011, we will export at least 13 tons of pepper to foreign markets with US$7,000 to US$15,000 per ton,” he said.

The black pepper costs about US$7,000, while red and white peppers cost up to US$15,000 per ton. These peppers will be exported to the EU, the U.S. and Japan, etc. --AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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AKP/06

Police Seizes Nearly 7 Million Drug Pills

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

Six men have been arrested by Phnom Penh Municipality Police and Interior Ministry’s anti-drug police for cross-border drug trafficking.

During the two-day raid (Dec. 27-28) in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey, Sen Sok and Russey Keo districts, the police also found 74 boxes containing 180 cans of pseudoephedrine drug ingredients or nearly 7 millions of drug pills.

Gen. Meas Virith, deputy secretary-general the National Authority for Combating Drugs said 150 mg of pseudoephedrine can be used to produce 100 kg of methamphetamines (ICE or Crystal). --AKP

By Théng

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AKP/07

Foreign Exchange Rates in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, December 29, 2010 AKP --

The following are the foreign exchange rates against the Riel (Cambodian Currency) released by the National Bank on Dec. 29.

Nº	CURRENCIES	CONVENTION	UNIT	BID	ASK	AVERAGE
1	U.S Dollar	KHR/USD	1	4054	4058	4056
2	Special Drawing Right	KHR/SDR	1	6203	6203	6203
3	Australian Dollar	KHR/AUD	1	4094	4098	4096
4	Canadian Dollar	KHR/CAD	1	4046	4051	4049
5	China Yuan	KHR/CNY	1	612	613	612
6	European Euro	KHR/EUR	1	5313	5319	5316
7	Britain Pounds	KHR/GBP	1	6227	6234	6231
8	Hong Kong Dollar	KHR/HKD	1	521	522	521
9	Indonesian Rupiah	KHR/IDR	1000	449	450	449
10	Japanese Yen	KHR/JPY	100	4922	4928	4925
11	Korean Won	KHR/KRW	100	353	354	353
12	Malaysian Ringgit	KHR/MYR	1	1310	1313	1312
13	New Zealand Dollar	KHR/NZD	1	3064	3069	3067
14	Philippine Peso	KHR/PHP	100	9229	9238	9234
15	Swedish Krona	KHR/SEK	1	590	591	590
16	Singapore Dollar	KHR/SGD	1	3122	3126	3124
17	Thai Baht	KHR/THB	1	134	135	134
18	Switzerland Franc	KHR/CHF	1	4260	4266	4263
19	Taiwan Dollar	KHR/TWD	1	137	138	137
20	Vietnamese Dong	KHR/VND	1000	208	208	208
21	Indian Rupee	KHR/IND	100	8989	9000	8994

--AKP