PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen and the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, expressed their satisfaction with the relationship established between the two countries, adding that they wish to see their cooperation further strengthened.
Speaking at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Cambodia at the Peace Palace on Wednesday, 15 February 2023, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his appreciation for Germany's involvement in demining efforts in Cambodia, which are helping to create safe land and ensure good livelihoods for the people of Cambodia.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between Germany and Cambodia in the field of culture, particularly in the restoration of temples, which Germany has been involved in for the past 25 years. He affirmed that this cooperation will continue into the future as well.
In addition, the German President praised the Cambodian Prime Minister for leading the country from devastation to the current level of progress enjoyed today. He especially praised Prime Minister Hun Sen’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in light of numerous geopolitical changes.
He further informed Prime Minister Hun Sen about Germany's ambitions in the fight against climate change and the country’s intention to expand and strengthen its cooperation with Cambodia.
In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen thanked the German President for his positive assessment of Cambodia and also thanked him, along with the people and Government of Germany, for the assistance provided to Cambodia in the fields of demining, culture and more.
He briefed the German President on the situation of demining in Cambodia, particularly the goal to be mine free by 2025, as well as the demining work conducted by Cambodian forces in other countries under the umbrella of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, such as the humanitarian demining training Cambodian experts are providing in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Hun Sen also noted that Cambodia has many ancient temples which are considered World Heritage Sites. He said these temples are a major source of pride to the country, but the repairs and maintenance are also a bit burden, so in this regard, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the assistance Germany has provided over the past 25 years to help restore these temples.
He also positively noted and further encouraged cooperation in the field of climate change, energy, trade, and more.
On the same day, Prime Minister Hun Sen also met with a German business delegation. During the meeting, the business delegation expressed interest in investing in a number of industries, including in automobiles, construction machinery and materials, wastewater treatment systems, and renewable energy technologies. The delegation also expressed satisfaction with the current investment climate in Cambodia, which they noted is open and extremely favorable.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, in turn, thanked the German business delegation for their interest in investing in Cambodia. He informed them that Cambodia allows foreigners to own 100% of companies without the need for Cambodian nationals as shareholders. Cambodia also allows the use of foreign currency for payrolls and other payments, without allowing investors in Cambodia to lose out through exchange rates.
He continued that Cambodia today shows strong growth in the construction sector, and therefore asked German investors to consider a Plus one formula, meaning that if German invests in a country, such as Thailand, they should consider investing in Cambodia as well. He informed the delegates about past experience with a company that was investing in both Thailand and Cambodia, and when Thailand faced a crisis because of the Covid-19 pandemic and due to floods, the company turned its production to Cambodia to continue meeting orders.
The Prime Minister welcomed all German investments to Cambodia, especially investments that are environmentally friendly and carbon neutral.
