Phnom Penh (FN), March 12 - Dr. Meir Shlomo, Ambassador of Israel to the Kingdom of Cambodia, pledged to promote Cambodia-Israel private partnership starting with investment in agriculture, tourism, and hi-tech under the assistance of Israel-Cambodia chamber of commerce founded since 2010, speaking to Media on Tuesday evening at Raffles Hotel.

The two signed a memorandum of understanding in 2017 for direct flights between both countries. Ministry of Tourism report stated Cambodia received some almost 10,000 Israeli tourists in 2017, an increase over 35 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Dr. Meir said Israel is not interested in giving Cambodia fish, but Israel, well-known for its high-drip irrigation and agricultural technology, will teach Cambodian young people to find fish by themselves.

According to the Ambassador, Israel absolutely encouraged young students to apply for scholarship to master their knowledge and skills on agriculture in Israel with 400 slots per annum.

“When students return home, they could apply what they learn to develop Cambodia.”

According to spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry, since 2008, more than 300 Cambodian students from the Royal University of Agriculture have participated Agrostudies Internship Program to study agriculture focusing on horticulture or livestock rearing in Israel.

The Agriculture Ministry also planned to establish an advanced agriculture training center in Kompong Speu province funded by Israel.

Cambodia-Israel established diplomatic ties in 1960. However, Israel cut its ties with Cambodia in 1975 due to bloody Khmer Rouge regime. Ties were restored in 1993, yet Cambodia-Israel do not have embassy in their respective country, instead in Bangkok, Thailand.

=FRESH NEWS