Cambodian and Czech Republic officials agreed on Monday to set up a working coalition to boost cooperation in the mining sector and facilitate the exchange of information, said a Cambodian Ministry of Mines and Energy spokesman on Monday.

The working coalition was set up on Monday after officials of the two countries met and discussed in a Cambodian-Czech seminar on mining and geological research.

It was led by the Czech Republic’s ambassador to Cambodia, Marek Libricky, and Yos Mony Rath, the director general of the General Department of Mineral Resources.

Mony Rath said by establishing the working coalition, both parties can work closely with each other, especially via digital platforms.

He said the coalition will discuss how to strengthen cooperation and promote interest in the Cambodian mining sector from Czech businesses.

“There are many ways in which both parties can work together such as human resource development in the mining sector and advisory services for mining businesses."

“We have not decided anything yet, but after having a team work together, we hope to have stronger cooperation,” Mony Rath said.

He said there were also three companies from the Czech Republic participating in the seminar yesterday – one specialising in mineral exploration, another an advisory firm for mining businesses, and the third selling equipment and tools for use in the mining sector.