By Ek Tha, PHNOM PENH, 12 Dec. 2013 (PRU) – His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An told the Singaporean Ambassador on Thursday that the Kingdom has high potential in tourism and agriculture thanks to Cambodia’s political stability and peace attracting more tourists to the Kingdom of Wonder.
Dr. Sok An highlighted that cultural heritage is playing large part for the country’s tourism sector.
“Angkor does more than just represent our cultural heritage. It also contributes to economic development through cultural tourism”, said the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also President of the APSARA National Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap, which has been operating since 1995.
Last year, Cambodia received 3.58 million tourists; that figure is expected to increase to 4.2 million this year. Siem Reap province, the home of Angkor, is the country’s biggest tourist destination. The Kingdom expects to receive 4.5 million tourists by 2015 and 7 millions in 2020, he told the Singaporean diplomat.
H.E. Ambassador Kevin Cheok said that the two countries relations are strong.
More than 50,000 Singaporean tourists visited Cambodia last year. A number of Cambodian students are studying in Singapore.
Both sides agree they are close neighbors.
More Cambodians are visiting Singapore for medical and tourism purposes.
“Your appointment to Cambodia is another positive step to strengthen bilateral cooperation and improve trade and investment”, Dr. Sok An said to Ambassador Cheok.
Dr. Sok An said that Cambodia also has high potential in agriculture, mainly rice and rubber.
“All kinds of tropical fruits can grow in Cambodia”, said the Deputy Prime Minister, adding that political stability, peace and democratic government are contributing to attract investment.
Dr. Sok An recalled the great achievement of The Late His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, who in 1991 called on the international community to protect and preserve the best known ancient Khmer temple, Angkor, which was built in 9th to 12th centuries.
The temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 1992. The temple was removed from the “in danger” list in 2004 thanks to the joint efforts by Cambodia and donors, he said.
Dr. Sok An also shared with the Ambassador the success of the protection and preservation of the temple under the framework of the International Coordinating Committee Angkor (ICC-Angkor), which was established in Tokyo in 1993. A conference on the preservation and sustainable development of the temple was convened in Paris in 2003 to spell out guidelines for the restoration and development of the site. The third intergovernmental conference was held last week in Siem Reap, at which experts and donors pledged new projects for ICC-Angkor.
“Samdech Hun Sen , The Prime Minister of Cambodia, is pleased with the project to manage water flows at Angkor to ensure the water benefits the temple instead of damaging the historic site, something he called water and heritage. Samdech Prime Minister wants me to focus on that management.”
Since 1993, Cambodia has gathered both financial and technical support from more than 10 countries and more than 20 international organisations, injecting $250 million for more than 60 restoration projects at Angkor.
Dr. Sok An recalled the successful hosting of the 37th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh from 16 to 27 June, attended by more than 1,400 delegates.
Both sides were pleased with the Sea Festival last week in Kep, speaking highly about Cambodian seafood, especially “sea crab”.
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