Seoul (FN), May 18 – South Korean Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo congratulated Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the success of his official visit to the Republic of Korea.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet met with South Korean Speaker of the National Assembly on Saturday (May 18) in Seoul, South Korea.

Kim Jin-pyo warmly welcomed the official visit of Samdech Thipadei and the high-level delegation to the Republic of Korea and congratulated the excellent outcomes of the meeting between the South Korean president and Samdech Thipadei on 16 May 2024. In addition, he also praised the elevation of Korea-Cambodia relations to a "strategic partnership," which will further promote stronger cooperation between the two nations.

Taking this occasion, the speaker of the National Assembly thanked Premier Hun Manet for his keynote address on investment opportunities and potentials in Cambodia at the Cambodia-Korea Business Forum, which will boost trade and investment between the two countries. He briefed Samdech Thipadei on cooperation in the field of defence and security, believing that the two nations will continue to strengthen and expand cooperation in this area based on smart, ability and Samdech Thipadei's military experience. At the same time, he highlighted the cooperation between Cambodia and Korea in key sectors such as education, health, digital, agriculture, cultural safeguarding and industrial development.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei thanked the Republic of Korea for warm hospitality and contribution to the kingdom's socioeconomic development. The premier briefed the speaker of the National Assembly on the fruitful results of the meeting with South Korean president and South Korean prime minister, in particular, on the progress of cooperation in multiple sectors fields, which are in the common interests of the two countries. Samdech Thipadei praised people-to-people ties, direct flights between the two countries, especially from major cities and tourist destinations between the two countries.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also highlighted two initiatives such as (1) the creation of a consultative mechanism between the Korean community in Cambodia and Royal Government's bodies; and (2) the establishment of an exclusive special economic zone for Korean firms to create a unique business environment for Korean companies operating in Cambodia.

The premier highlighted the importance of cooperation in priority sectors such as the economy, trade, infrastructure, and education. Regarding the economy and trade sectors, the premier mentioned that the entry into force of the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the elevation of relations to a "strategic partnership" will further promote bilateral relations, trade, and investment.

Regarding the agricultural sector, Samdech Thipadei mentioned that through the existing agreement between Cambodia and Korea, Cambodia exports a special kind of mango to South Korea. He asked the Korean side to consider reducing the import tax rate, which would boost the import of mangoes and other agricultural products from Cambodia to Korea.

Regarding education, the premier mentioned the potential for cooperation between Cambodian universities and Korean universities in training human resources, especially in the digital sector, which will promote the diversification of the workforce and address the actual market demand. Cambodia has many youths who can receive training and contribute to filling the labour shortage in Korea.

Lastly, both sides exchanged views on the direction of cooperation between the two countries, especially in contributing to the promotion of the "strategic partnership" between Cambodia and Korea for the benefit of the two nations and peoples.
=FRESH NEWS