Phnom Penh (FN), Jun. 8 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen asked minister of state for foreign trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to boost investment in Cambodia's agricultural sectors focusing on rice, cashew, and cassava processing.

The premier spoke during a courtesy call by the UAE foreign trade minister, held on Thursday afternoon (Jun 8) at the Peace Palace.

According to the premier’s personal assistant Eang Sophalleth, Thani informed premier Hun Sen about the fruitful outcomes of his meeting with Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian minister of commerce Pan Sosak, Cambodian minister of environment Say Samal, and Cambodian minister of tourism Thong Khon.

Thani expressed his satisfaction with the Cambodia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which will bring the economies and peoples of the two countries closer and jointly promote the potential for bilateral cooperation.

For his part, premier Hun Sen expressed satisfaction with the Cambodia-UAE CEPA, adding that this agreement will bring benefits to both countries.

Samdech encouraged consideration of investment in agriculture sectors. Firstly, Cambodia's rice sector has about six million tons of rice that can be exported. The premier proposed to consider the establishment of rice mills, warehouses, and direct purchasing network to process rice for export. Secondly, Cambodia has more than one million tons of cashew and that the premier proposed investment for cashew processing for export to the UAE and other countries. Lastly, Samdech also proposed investment in cassava processing.

Lastly, Samdech asked the UAE to consider double taxation avoidance agreement to encourage investors and the premier also proposed direct flights from the UAE to Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS