INDONESIA: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked investors from Timor-Leste to aid in building a rice mill which will export rice for bran and animal feed.

He made the request during a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak on May 9, 2023 at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. The Prime Minister stated that if Timor-Leste agrees to the deal, Cambodia will send agricultural experts to study their land for potential crop viability in exchange. Prime Minister Ruak supported the deal which he sees as promoting food security by developing the agricultural sector.

He went on to express his appreciation to Prime Minister Hun Sen for his support for Timor-Leste’s admission to the ASEAN Summit. This is the first year his country has participated in the event. "Timor-Leste's presence at the ASEAN Summit Indonesia could not have happened without the assistance of Prime Minister Hun Sen," said Ruak.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and First Lady Bun Rany are in Indonesia for the 42nd ASEAN Summit from May 10-11. The 2023 ASEAN summit and related summits are being held under the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.”