President continues his visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Continuing his State visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on December 24, President Truong Tan Sang visited Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong and Supreme Patriarch Bour Kry; visited Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital and met with typical Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cambodia.

President Truong Tan Sang visits Supreme Patriarch Bour Kry. Photo: VNA

Wishing the two Supreme Patriarchs good health and longevity, the President emphasized that both Vietnam and Cambodia have a large number of Buddhists and follow Buddhist ideology. Buddhism plays a very important role in the social life of the two countries. Besides, as close neighbors, Vietnam and Cambodia have a tradition of solidarity, support and help each other in times of difficulty and adversity.

The President hopes that, with their roles and prestige, the two Supreme Patriarchs will continue to make positive contributions to the existing solidarity, friendship and good neighborliness between the two countries.

Visiting Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Truong Tan Sang praised the efforts of investors and medical staff of the two countries in overcoming difficulties to complete phase 1 of the project; organizing medical examination and treatment for the Cambodian people, making practical contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The President also appreciated the close direction, support and active coordination of the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh during the investment implementation process, as well as in coordinating the sending of experts to support medical examination and treatment and training of medical staff for Cambodia.

The President praised and acknowledged the role of the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Cambodia and BIDV and BIDC banks for providing timely and practical support and advice on investment procedures and capital sources to help the investor complete the project.

President Truong Tan Sang visits patients being treated at Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital. Photo: VNA

The President hopes that investors from both countries and medical staff from Vietnam working at Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital will fully understand the political significance of this project to further improve the professional work of medical examination and treatment, worthy of the name that the Cambodian people expect.

President Truong Tan Sang suggested that Vietnamese and Cambodian doctors unite, cooperate, and share professional experiences so that the Hospital can truly become a typical project, not only in terms of economic efficiency but also creating a good image of the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.

The President requested Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital to coordinate with the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries to continue implementing phase 2 of the project and make efforts and determination to successfully build this project.

The Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital Project is the first medical cooperation project between Vietnam and Cambodia, completed phase 1 since the beginning of this year, with a total investment of nearly 38 million USD, with a scale of 200 beds. The hospital has received and treated thousands of patients, provided charity examinations for 1,500 poor patients from districts of the capital Phnom Penh and is coordinating with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to perform eye surgery for 100 patients.

During a meeting with businesses belonging to the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Cambodia (AVIC), business representatives recommended that the two governments direct relevant ministries and sectors to develop long-term bilateral cooperation strategies to continue to closely connect the two economies of Vietnam and Cambodia.

The two countries need to promptly review the signed economic agreements and provide specific guidance for effective implementation of the agreements; in the immediate future, complete the procedures so that the Agreement on Encouragement and Protection of Investment between the two countries and the Protocol amending this Agreement will soon take official effect; soon sign the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation; continue to implement and complete amendments to the Trade Agreement and the Agreement on Purchase and Sale, Exchange of Goods and Services in Border Areas.

Establish an inter-ministerial working group with the participation of AVIC and establish a regular working mechanism to review, exchange and evaluate Vietnam's investment activities in Cambodia, promptly resolving business difficulties.

On behalf of the Party and State, the President congratulated the Vietnamese business community on its achievements in direct investment in Cambodia. To date, 128 projects have been licensed by the Cambodian Government, a 3.5-fold increase compared to before 2009, with a total capital of nearly 3.36 billion USD. Vietnam has risen to fifth place among more than 50 countries and territories investing in Cambodia.

Many investment projects of Vietnamese enterprises have been implemented well, invested completely, contributed to the economic development of Cambodia and have been recognized. Since AVIC was established, the investment capital flow to Cambodia has increased sharply. Bilateral turnover has increased at an average rate of over 30%/year. The number of Vietnamese tourists to Cambodia has increased continuously over the years and Vietnam ranks first among the countries with the largest number of visitors to Cambodia.

President Truong Tan Sang affirmed the success of businesses that have actively participated in building and developing Cambodia, contributing to tightening the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The President stressed that the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia is still very large. To promote economic and investment cooperation activities between the two countries, the Party, State and Government of Vietnam will continue to research and propose effective strategies and measures for long-term and stable investment in Cambodia according to the principles of equality and mutual benefit; and issue new policies to encourage and support Vietnamese investors in Cambodia.

The President asked Vietnamese enterprises to make more efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of their investment activities in Cambodia; strictly comply with Cambodian laws and regulations; respect the customs and practices of the Cambodian people when investing; actively contribute to social security, job creation, hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the investment and business areas, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the special traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The President hopes that businesses will continue to strengthen and expand their operations in Cambodia, thereby not only bringing practical benefits to businesses but also contributing to the development of Cambodia; at the same time, further strengthening the friendly and traditional cooperative relations between the two countries, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The Chairman requested that Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia coordinate with the Association to continue to promote their central role as a bridge to convey information, support businesses, and promptly help remove obstacles.

The President affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam will continue to direct and provide the highest level of support to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese business community to invest in Cambodia.

According to Vietnam+