Singaporean ambassador to Cambodia Teo Lay Cheng expressed optimism over the commitment of Cambodia and Singapore to strengthen partnerships based on mutual respect, trust and shared aspirations for prosperity.

She said the two countries are now working on new and emerging areas such as renewable energy and carbon credits. 

Teo made the statement while addressing students at Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh on July 25 as part of the ambassadorial lecture series (ALS), organised under the auspices of the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS). 

Her lecture, titled “Singapore-Cambodia Relations: Forging Partnerships”, drew an audience of more than 50 students and researchers.

Next year, the two countries will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

On trade and investment, Teo said that as an early believer in Cambodia’s potential, Singapore is one of Cambodia’s top investors and trading partners, highlighting prominent Singaporean brands in Cambodia including Singapore Airlines, Phillip Bank, Oakwood, Pedro, TWG Tea and BreadTalk.

Highlighting the role of capacity building in Singapore’s developmental experience, Teo viewed technical cooperation as a cornerstone of bilateral ties, saying that since 1992, over 18,000 Cambodian officials have attended training under the Singapore cooperation programme. 

In 2002, Singapore established the Cambodia-Singapore Training Centre, which was later upgraded to the Cambodia-Singapore Cooperation Centre (CSCC) to meet Cambodia’s evolving aspirations. 

“Initially, the courses covered areas such as IT training, basic financial management and trade logistics. The CSCC now offers courses such as big data and analytics, entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystems, and sustainable development and urban planning,” she said. 

In March this year, a CSCC microsite was launched to serve as a one-stop centre for those interested in professional development and continuous learning. 

According to Teo, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore contributed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine, one million surgical masks and 200,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to Cambodia. She also noted that missionaries from Singapore frequently visit Cambodia, with some setting up a presence in the Kingdom. 

University and polytechnic students from Singapore also undertake curated learning journeys to share experiences and participate in community events, she said. 

Teo recalled that last year, the embassy handed over land receipts and contracts to needy households in Siem Reap province, saying the event marked the completion of Project Grace, a series of housing initiatives implemented by both Habitat for Humanity Singapore and Cambodia over six years, costing approximately $6.16 million. 

Teo also highlighted the Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global programme offered by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), which encourages youth to showcase innovative solutions and join a global community of changemakers. 

She said shortlisted enterprises will have a chance to secure grants to kickstart or expand their social ventures. 

To date, the programme has allocated over $740,000 in funding to support more than 60 social enterprises, according to Teo. In 2021, two young Cambodians were among the winners. They pioneered the idea of using technology to transform post-harvest fruits and nuts into wholesome snacks.

CCRS senior advisor Pou Sothirak noted that Teo’s lecture was a “rare opportunity” to learn first-hand the excellent relationship between Singapore and Cambodia. 

“Ambassador Teo is very active in promoting and enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, capacity building and people-to-people exchange to advance a closer bond of friendship between the two countries,” he was quoted as saying in a July 25 press statement from the embassy. 

Lim Mengchhuang, a student from the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute for International Studies and Public Policy, said Teo’s highlight on the long-standing engagement between Singapore and Cambodia, especially in the area of education, demonstrated many opportunities for Cambodians. 

“Singapore's trade and investments are also crucial for developing Cambodia's economy,” Mengchhuang was quoted as saying in the press statement.