Recommended Great Web Sites

Recommended Great Web Sites; check them out
OneNetwork.Net - Cheap web hosting, VPS, Dedicated Servers

Hosting Post - Web Hosting Reviews, Coupons, Rating, Forums, Advice

Desktop wallpapers, download free background for phone, beautiful widescreen, pictures

Cambodia returns to industrial evolution

ONE effect of the global economic crisis seldom discussed amid reports of a liquidity crisis and garment sector meltdown was the impact on Cambodia’s manufacturing progress.

In 2008, Cambodia was on the brink of attracting large multinational companies looking for new sources of cheap labour and the latest frontiers of market growth. But these firms subsequently “stayed at home”, in the words of Sok Chenda, secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, as CEOs looked to damage limitation rather than expansion overseas.

In Cambodia’s case, the economic crisis looks to have only stalled – rather than aborted – the start of a long-awaited transition from labour-intensive industry towards more complex manufacturing. And increasingly, it is Japan that is driving this industrial evolution.

Confirmation at the weekend that Sumitomo Electric Industries, a Fortune-500 company, plans to become the latest Japanese firm to build a plant here provides the most recent evidence Cambodia is finally expanding manufacturing beyond the confines of the garment industry.

Sumitomo follows Minebea, Ajinomoto and Yamaha – all Japanese firms that have in recent months either opened or committed to manufacturing plants in the Kingdom.

Chinese firms have long had a manufacturing presence here, but most have limited themselves to the garment industry. Instead, China’s industrial base has had a more indirect impact on the stuttering manufacturing progress starting to take shape in Cambodia.

If China’s entry into Cambodian garments was partly due to the United States initiating quotas on Chinese clothing and apparel in 2005, according to some analysts, then the recent entry of more international complex industry into Cambodia can also be traced back to the mainland to an extent.

Masayoshi Matsumoto, president of Sumitomo Electric, told Kyodo News the firm’s decision to expand manufacturing to Cambodia and the Philippines later this year was due to a labour shortage and wage rises in China.

Minebea’s announcement at the end of last year that it would set up a production facility in Cambodia represents the first time the company would have opened a large-scale manufacturing plant in a new country since it did so in Shanghai 17 years ago.

The firm begins its first production in Cambodia in April at a leased factory before relocating to a US$61 million facility in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone next year, a plant that will rank second only in volume to Minebea’s China operation. This represents a significant moment for Cambodia.

While cynics will note these companies are coming here for the cheap labour, tax breaks and access to a new, untapped market, the benefits for the country will likely be substantial.

Minebea alone plans to hire 5,000 people in the longer term, workers that would otherwise have been hired at minimum-wage garment factories, or worse. These are employees that will be trained to assemble small electric motors for office and household electronic equipment, goods that have never been manufactured in the Kingdom previously.

Similarly, Sumitomo plans to make automotive wire harnesses, the latest sign the vehicle industry is starting to look at Cambodia as a production base following recent interest by Hyundai and Yamaha.

Within the long, arduous cycle of industrial evolution this marks solid progress for the country, not least because Japanese firms have over the past half a century represented the pinnacle of manufacturing.

For Cambodia, learning from companies like Sumitomo and Minebea is perhaps the most significant benefit that can be drawn from these new relationships. Cambodia’s manufacturing progress is as much about keeping multinationals here to gain increased expertise as it is about the revenues that can be generated from them. Just ask China.

If Japan is the master of developing technology then China is surely the more recent master of co-opting innovation for maximum gain. Now the economic crisis is over, Cambodia can get back to following their example.

Khmer Cambodia Information Center

Solid plan for concrete quality

Developers behind a planned US$17 million factory, billed as the first to produce international-standard concrete products in the Kingdom, are targeting sales in the construction sector.
The plant, due to begin production in April, is set to make products including sewer pipes, piles for building foundations and concrete poles for electric cabling.

It is the result of a multi-million dollar joint venture between Belgian firm Flanders Concrete NV, Vietnam’s Thu Duc – Long An Centrifugal Concrete Company and Cambodia’s Sokchoeun Development Company.

The factory will stand on 10 hectares of land in Khsach Kandal district of Kandal province.

“We are the first high-standard factory to produce concrete products to meet the rising demand of housing developers,” said Srey Chanthou, managing director at 7NG Group, which provided the land for the facility and is the parent firm for Sokchoeun Development Company.

Srey Chanthou did not detail what percentage of the venture was owned by each of the three partners.

However, he said the factory was 90-percent complete.

“In recent years, the construction sector has been increasing – a lot of skyscrapers are being built in Phnom Penh and demand for use of concrete products is increasing as well,” said Srey Chanthou.

Last year, the value of investment projects approved by the state to build residential homes in Phnom Penh increased nearly 12 percent year on year.

But country-wide, the value of all construction projects approved fell nearly 58 percent.

The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction’s director of construction, Lao Tip Seiha, confirmed it was the first large factory producing standard construction materials in Cambodia, in response to increase demand from housing developers.

“This is a big investment,” he said today.

“It’s good for our country. I hope it will improve the quality of construction here through the high standards of their concrete products.”

“It will make it easier to do construction, saving time and money,” added CamCall Construction Company Managing Director Bou Puthy.

Khsach Kandal district Governor Kong Sophorn said he welcomed the investment, as it would create more jobs for local people.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011020246545/Business/solid-plan-for-concrete-quality.html

Adore Cambodia! Tourism Campaign Launched in the Heart of the Kingdom of Wonders

Adore Cambodia! Tourism Campaign Launched in the Heart of the Kingdom of Wonders



Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Print E-mail Share Font | Size:

1

GET QUOTE


Symbol Lookup
MORE BUSINESS

Google rolls out Android Market for Web browsers 02.02.11
Oil prices flat as traders keep eye on Egypt 02.02.11
Stocks mixed day after Dow tops 12,000 02.02.11
(PRWEB) February 2, 2011

Cambodian tourism businesses have launched a colorful, global campaign, Adore Cambodia!, to let GLBT travelers know they are especially welcome in the Kingdom of Wonders.

With the spread of ultra-cheap flights from regional hubs like Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, gay and lesbian tourists have discovered a quiet haven of tolerance, culture and world heritage that is actively reaching out to the economically powerful GLBT niche travel market.

"Siem Reap is remarkable because major players in the hospitality and service industries are comfortable extending a genuine welcome specifically to GLBT visitors," explains John Goss, director of Utopia-Asia.com which lists more than 70 gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses around Cambodia. "These include Travel and Leisure's #1 hotel in Cambodia, dozens of gay-run boutique accommodations, trend-setting restaurants, and fashion and design innovators that are part of a hip, emerging contemporary arts movement dubbed Cambodia Cool."

Siem Reap also boasts Cambodia's first men-only leisure complex combining an uber-stylish hotel, spa, and gym designed by one of the country's leading architects. The New York Times even stood up and took notice recently, proclaiming Siem Reap to be a "gay haven" in 2010.

"Mutual respect between people is deeply a part of Khmer culture. Gays and lesbians are included as long as cultural traditions are respected," explains openly gay business owner, Sopheara. "More and more Cambodians, in all strata of society, are living an open gay life. But you won't find provocative displays of sexuality here, as you might in some other countries. Cambodia is refreshingly free and easy for gays wanting to blend in with our live-and-let-live lifestyle."

There's lots for gay and lesbian travelers to adore in Cambodia. Here are some of the charms to be discovered on your next weekend getaway or extended tropical holiday...

Romantic, gay-run boutique hotels for every budget. Inexpensive foodie thrills, from Khmer fusion fine dining to the handsome grilled banana vendor's cart. A thriving arts, crafts and fashion scene splashing vivid colors across glossy magazines and runways around the globe. Rainbow travel services and tour guides to show you the ancient wonders of Angkor Wat. Responsible eco-tours to remote ruins and forests while viewing wildlife and interacting with locals in rural, community-building projects. A relaxed, no-hustle selection of gay-run bars, gyms, saunas, and spas to add just the right amount of fun and fitness to the laid-back local lifestyle. Super cheap flights on budget airlines to connect you to many of Southeast Asia's heritage cities. And, the tolerant and kind Khmer people who work so hard to make your holiday relaxed and trouble-free.

Discover the beauty of a warm Khmer welcome. You're sure to Adore Cambodia!

The Adore Cambodia! logo design is based on the Cambodian national flower, the Rumbdul, depicted in the six colors of the internationally recognized "gay rainbow."

For more information, please visit www.utopia-asia.com/ucool/article_cambodia.htm

###


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/02/02/prweb5018254.DTL#ixzz1CqCLpyqq

Khmer krom buddhist supermodel speaks out

Khmer buddhist supermodel speaks out
VNS
(19-10-2007

Truong Thi May was runner-up in the Miss Viet Ethnic 2007 pageant. Although a rare beauty, she wanted to join a pagoda and become a buddhist nun at the age of 13, but the responsibility of being an elder sister to her four siblings stopped her. May speaks to Du Van Nga about this and other aspects of her unique life.

Inner Sanctum: After winning runner-up in Miss Viet Ethnic 2007, people thought that you would probably become a professional model or an actress, but others say you want to become a buddhist nun and live in a temple, what’s the story?

I do hope to become a nun one day, but first I have to help raise my brothers and sisters.

I became a vegetarian, like a hermit, when I was 13 years old, following my family traditions. My family has a long-standing Buddhist tradition, starting with my great grandparents five generations back; our family is familiar with vegetarianism and over time the whole family started eating vegetarian.

My younger brother has been leading a religious life for 14 years and my next-younger sister followed in his foot-steps and also became a buddhist priestess.

My family support me in becoming a buddhist and accumulating blessings. I do not know my fate in the previous incarnation exactly, however in this incarnation, I hope to become a buddhist priestess like my two younger siblings. I think that I can live a tranquil life and at least learn from the prayer-books to be useful to humankind and relieve their sorrows.

Although I am only 20 years old, I have gone on a pilgrimage through tens of countries all over the world and plan to go to India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Hong Kong together with my friend, a buddhist nun, in the near future.

Inner Sanctum: Why did you say that circumstance kept you from becoming a nun? Can you explain it more clearly?

No one prevented me from entering the Buddhist temple, it is simply because I have a responsibility to my family that I haven’t become a nun.

My father departed this world when I was 9 years old and my youngest sister was a one-year baby. My mother was busy working in the market, trying to make enough money to raise our family of six, while I had to stay home and look after them. When I had grown up a bit, I also helped mum working in the market.

Inner Sanctum: Why did you participate in a beauty competition and work as a model afterwards?

My younger sisters and brothers and I were somewhat disadvantaged compared with other children our age as our father passed away early, so when my brother and sister joined the temple, the high priestess there helped our family. We have always asked her for advice and help when we face difficulty, and we prayed for good fortune, of course, before the Miss Viet Ethnic competition.

She encouraged and supported my participation in the contest, I hope that this title can bring honor to my people, and will help me be useful to society. I feel proud of this when I am modeling.

Working as a model helps me earn a better income to help support my family, especially as my mother is getting too old to work.

I can take care of my sister’s and brother’s school fees as well as take classes myself. I study information technology, English and business administration.

Inner Sanctum: How did you prepare for Miss Viet Ethnic, especially as this was the first time you participated in a beauty pageant?

This was the first time I took part in a competition like Miss Viet Ethnic. I felt a little anxious at first as it all seemed so strange, but luckily for me, my whole family and my best friend, Buddhist nun Lien Vinh, supported me every step of the way.

My mother and her brother stayed with me while I was competing, the ethnic costume I wore, a symbol of my Khmer ethnicity, was made by them and they embroidered it for three days and nights. It is a priceless costume imbrued with the blood of their fingers.

My mother said she wanted to make the costume, so a part of her could be with me during the pageant to encourage me; she didn’t want me to rent a costume.

In my mind, the costume was the strongest motivatation for me to do my best, especially in the peahen dance, the talent section, and the lissom folk dance, which my mother also taught me.

My mother holds more than one position in my life, she is my driver, bodyguard, tailor, photographer, cameraman, adviser and more. She and I are like fish and water.

Inner Sanctum: After your coronation you refused several film roles, why didn’t you try your hand at movies?

Fortune smiled upon me when I was offered roles in six serial dramas, but I had to refuse as I was still studying and didn’t have time for both.

Furthermore, I am a Buddhist so I have to choose roles carefully.

I think I am still young, so if a suitable role is offered in the future, I may yet become an actress.
Inner Sanctum: "May", in my mind, is quite an impressive name, so what is the real meaning in the Khmer language?

"May" or Chanh Recsmay in the Khmer language means sun and lucky. It is also my official ethnic minority name. My mother gave me this name to wish me luck; she also taught me to hope and pray for luck and happiness for everyone, not only me and my family. However, I have another name, Magarette Truong, a stage name given to me by a Buddhism priest, and I like this name too.

Inner Sanctum: What are your plans in the years to come?

I have always dreamt of becoming a businesswoman to serve the country where I was born. However, if I am fated to join a Buddhist temple, I will leave my home to become a nun. This would be the happiest and most peaceful option.

— VNS

PAD announced it is planning a major rally on Saturday to try to force the government from office and derail plans to hold a general election on the g

PAD calls major protest
Key member arrested over airport seizures

Published: 3/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

A key member of the People's Alliance for Democracy has been arrested on outstanding charges stemming from the movement's seizure in 2008 of Bangkok's two commercial airports.


Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, right, speaks to fellow members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, including Parnthep Pourpongpan, second right, and Praphan Khoonmee, wearing glasses. The alliance is pressing the government to bring home Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkhwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon after the two were sentenced to jail on Tuesday by a Phnom Penh court for espionage. PATTANAPOPNG HIRUNARD

The arrest last night comes as the PAD announced it is planning a major rally on Saturday to try to force the government from office and derail plans to hold a general election on the government's own terms.

Former senator Karun Saingam was arrested last night at Suvarnabhum airport as he returned from Cambodia.

He had been in Phnom Penh as part of a legal team put together by the Thai Patriots Network to assist seven Thais arrested on Dec 29 for illegal entry to Cambodia.

Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD's key leaders, said yesterday the alliance planned to raise the intensity of its anti-government rally near Government House after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday sentenced Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkhwamkid to eight years in jail and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon to six years for spying.

Maj Gen Chamlong said the Abhisit government must see to it that the two are brought home within three days.

If the government ignored its demand, the alliance would seek a "consensus" on Saturday as to what action should be taken against the government by PAD supporters across the country.

He told his supporters last night it was up to them to decide on Saturday if the PAD would invade Government House. "Don't listen to anyone who orders you to invade Government House. Just listen to me and the other leaders and Parnthep [Pourpongpan, PAD spokesman]," he said.

The PAD supporters occupied Government for 193 days in 2008 in an attempt to topple the Somchai Wongsawat government. Maj Gen Chamlong said last night: "Don't worry. It's easy to enter Government House. No one knows the place like I do."

A source close to Maj Gen Chamlong said the move to step up the protest was aimed at trying to oust the government from office and to prevent a general election called by the government.

The PAD does not believe an election will bring about a government able to end the problems besetting the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees national security, said yesterday the government could not dissolve the House and hold an early election while the PAD and its allies - the Thai Patriots Network and Santi Asoke sect - continue with their protests.

Mr Suthep said political stability was one of the preconditions set by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva before dissolving the House. The prime minister needed to be sure the election could proceed peacefully.

A government source said an election was out of the question before parliament met on Feb 11 to vote on the third reading of the proposed amendments to the constitution and the House of Representatives met on Feb 16-17 to deliberate an important piece of legislation on the supplementary mid-year 2011 budget, which will have to wait on endorsement by the Senate in the middle of next month.

Mr Abhisit yesterday called on all sides to unify in helping the two Thais imprisoned in Cambodia. He said the PAD should not exploit the issue for political gain.

"If you disagree with the government, you'd better talk to the government and tell us your best solution. But someone is trying to politicise the issue," he said.

The prime minister said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would fly to Cambodia today to negotiate with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, on the release of Mr Veera and Ms Ratree.

Cambodia Bridge Tragedy

Tragedies in Cambodia always seem to have an air of inevitability about them. The anti-Thai riots in 2003, 40-odd land mine victims a month, massive slum fires, routine floods, occasional droughts and unrelenting street crime have all left their mark on the country’s return to peace over the past 12 years.

But in terms of loss of life, none can surpass the sheer numbers and total senselessness that resulted from the bridge stampede on Monday night, during the final celebrations of the annual Water Festival.

At last count, the death toll from the Diamond Island Bridge disaster was 345, and still rising.


Hindsight is often discredited as too convenient and too late. But like the anti-Thai riots almost eight years ago, the second and third slum fires at around the same time and the culture of impunity that allows crime to flourish, this stampede and ensuing crush was sadly not unexpected.

For the uninitiated, the Water Festival – marking the end of the rainy season when the Tonle Sap changes directions and feeds into the Mekong River – is an extraordinary, colourful event attracting three to four million people each year to the capital. Here they cram and bunk down along the banks of the Tonle Sap, Sisowath Quay and within just two to three city blocks, each person angling for a view of the boat racing that dominates the festival.

Almost every man and his family will at some point make the annual pilgrimage from the remotest parts of Cambodia where much of the population spent decades in isolation because of on-going wars. Up to a quarter of the country’s entire population can be seen within a few square miles of each other once the festival gets underway.

Between boat races, Cambodia’s country cousins can be seen checking out the buildings of the Big Smoke, the local restaurants and an array of shops that stand in total contrast to life back home.

Among my fondest memories was settling in for a Water Festival weekend with a group of friends on a first floor balcony of the Foreign Correspondents Club, which commands a terrific vista along the river front, the races and the heaving spectacle below.

One family had adopted the common practice of walking Indian file along Sisowath Quay through the crowds with one hand on the shoulder of the person in front to make sure they didn’t get separated. Once outside the FCC they noticed us, about 10 Westerners well armed with wine, beer and whiskey, dining out on a pretty extensive spread, looking like a tribe of well-fed chimpanzees in a zoo.

Upon deciding we were worth further investigation this family carved out a space in the middle of the throng, laid out a blanket on the road, sat down and ate their lunch in front of us, often pointing and sharing a laugh while ogling the odd white people on the balcony above.

The Water Festival is when the country comes to town and in Cambodia the sheer weight of numbers that arrive each year for the nation’s biggest party can be terrifying.

Most Westerners and many Cambodians who live in the capital leave Phnom Penh during this period as the country’s poorest and least educated drink, gamble on the races and basically take over the streets.

Cambodia crowd control measures would infuriate and leave their more experienced counterparts elsewhere in South-east Asia and beyond totally aghast.

For the most part, Phnom Penh is safe during the water festival. But when the authorities investigating the bridge stampede sit down and ask themselves who could have seen this coming, the answer really should be everybody.

cambodia travel guide