“The First Cambodia-Timor-Leste’s Business Forum 2022”, themed “Tourism and Trade for Sustainable Peace and Development” was held in Phnom Penh on October 21. TOURISM MINISTRY
Cambodia and East Timor on October 21 held a first joint business forum, on tourism and trade, a day after the two Southeast Asian countries penned two key deals, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
“The First Cambodia-Timor-Leste’s Business Forum 2022”, themed “Tourism and Trade for Sustainable Peace and Development” was held in the capital, and led by Minister of Tourism Thong Khon and East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, the latter of whom was on an official visit to Cambodia from October 19-21.
Speaking at the event, the minister stated that the peoples are “pleased” with the progress of Cambodia-East Timor cooperation, and that the East Timorese president’s visit was a “significant contribution” to reinforcing cooperation between the governments and populations of the two countries, the ministry said in a statement.
“The forum will be an outstanding event that brings together the private sector and public institutions and focuses on exploring and exchanging views on business and investment opportunities between the two countries.
“The forum will also highlight other areas for cooperation and joint project development in the areas of tourism and trade, for peace and sustainable development,” the statement quoted Khon as saying.
On October 20, Cambodian and East Timorese officials signed two documents to boost bilateral trade cooperation – an air services agreement (ASA) and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the rice trade – at a ceremony held at the Peace Palace in the capital, and witnessed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Ramos-Horta.
An ASA is a formal bilateral treaty allowing international commercial air transport services to operate between signatories.
During a meeting with Hun Sen before the signing, Ramos-Horta recalled that he had visited Cambodia several times and noted the increased prosperity of the Kingdom, and commented that bilateral relations between the two nations have improved.
Ramos-Horta told the premier that his visit aimed to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries through the establishment of direct flights and increased trade, according to a statement posted on Hun Sen’s official Facebook page.
Hong Vanak, director of International Economics at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on October 23 that economic and tourism ties between the two countries have remained limited, even though both are located in Southeast Asia.
However, constructive international cooperation between public or private organisations can generate positive effects for partner countries, he said, adding that forums and similar events are valuable avenues to promote a nation’s investment potential.
“We hope that Cambodia and East Timor will enjoy stronger ties in all areas and that the direct air links will soon be a reality. When travel is easier, there’s more traffic, both in terms of cargo and passengers,” he said.
State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) spokesman and undersecretary of state Sin Chansereyvutha told The Post that the ASA would allow code-share arrangements between airlines from either country, as well as direct flights, as per the Fifth Freedom of The Air.
UN agency International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines the fifth freedom as “the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to put down and to take on, in the territory of the first state, traffic coming from or destined to a third state”.
Chansereyvutha added that the treaty would also promote civil aviation ties, passenger security and safety, new direct flights, and air arrivals, with the aim of stimulating trade, tourism, investment, and other forms of partnerships between the two countries.
