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Plantation Urban Resort presents 'Reflection', a unique art exhibition by Russian-born artist Vika, in June 2024. Plantation Urban Resort is delighted to announce its next art exhibition, 'Reflection', curated by talented visual artist Vika. Scheduled for June 2024, the exhibition promises to be a mix of "realism, illusion and allusion". Vika, a visionary artist with an engineering background and a passion for space exploration, is inviting the public to "embark on a transformative experience through thought-provoking works". She promises to captivate audiences with her innovative vision and unusual illustrations. "I believe that real art should motivate and inspire viewers, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths," she explains. In her work, Vika chooses to label her works without providing additional descriptions, allowing each viewer to interpret them in their own way. This diversity of perception is therefore celebrated in Vika's work, where everyone sees what they want to see, and where each viewing can reveal something new. Vika's illustrations are primarily a visualisation of her life, also depicting the way light falls at different angles rather than fantastical worlds. Her technique, known as Re-allusion (real+illusion+allusion), combines natural colours with stylised representations to create atmospheric illustrations. By also emphasising contrasting foregrounds, Vika's works invite viewers to fully immerse themselves in her worlds beyond imagination. "We are delighted to welcome Vika's extraordinary exhibition to Plantation Urban Resort," says Alexander Scheible, General Manager of Plantation Urban Resort, adding: "Vika's multidisciplinary approach to art and passion for exploration make this exhibition an immersive experience for our guests. We invite art lovers and inspiration seekers to join us on this transformative journey." Don't miss your chance to witness the convergence of art and technology at Plantation Urban Resort this June. For more information and to book an appointment, please contact info@theplantation.asia or call +855 (0) 23 21 51 51. About Plantation Urban Resort Plantation Urban Resort is a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of Phnom Penh. Since its opening in 2011, it has remained a model of excellence in Cambodian hospitality. In addition to offering high-quality accommodation, the hotel regularly hosts art exhibitions, culinary events and community initiatives.

Cambodian President of the Senate, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, received here this morning a visiting French Senator for Seine & Marne H.E. Vincent ÉBLÉ, President of French-Cambodian Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his warm welcome to H.E. Vincent ÉBLÉ’s visit to Cambodia, hoping that it will further strengthen the relations and cooperation between France and Cambodia. The senate president thanked France for her contribution to Cambodia’s socio-economic development, and briefed his guest on the current situation in Cambodia. For his part, H.E. Vincent ÉBLÉ said he is delighted to visit Cambodia once again, after he paid ten visits to the Kingdom, both private and official, and congratulated Cambodia on her progress. He also shared his insights over tourism perceptions, cultural preservation projects, French investment in Cambodia, etc. Besides, Samdech Techo Hun Sen and H.E. Vincent ÉBLÉ exchanged views on Francophonie, Russia-Ukraine War, and so on. H.E. Vincent ÉBLÉ reaffirmed the French government’s support to Cambodia’s candidacy to host the Francophonie Summit in 2026.

Cambodia Angkor Air, the national airline of Cambodia, has announced the launch of direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi, India. According to the airline's press release, Cambodia Angkor Air's historic launch of direct flights during the Cambodia-India ‘Year of Cultural Tourism’ in 2024 marks an important step in strengthening economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries. “It is an honour for me to deepen the traditional friendship between India and Cambodia through our historic direct service. We are committed to warmly showing the ‘Khmer smile’, offering safe and comfortable travel; we plan to open new routes connecting Siem Reap to Delhi and Phnom Penh to other cities in India soon”,said David Yuhong Zhan, Director of the Cambodia Tourism Board, Vice President and General Manager of Cambodia Angkor Air. He added: “This new route not only meets the growing demand for direct connectivity between Cambodia and India, but also reinforces our commitment to providing passengers with unmatched service, comfort and convenience.” During the roadshow, H.E. Kuong Koy, Cambodia's Ambassador to India, emphasised that direct flights enabled Indian entrepreneurs to consider investing in a dynamic country, while H.E. Seila Hul, Undersecretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, extended a warm invitation to Indian tourists. In addition, nearly two hundred representatives from the tourism and civil aviation sectors of both countries, as well as the media, attended the event, exploring various possibilities for collaboration. As a tribute to the inaugural flight, Cambodia Angkor Air will be offering special promotional fares to travellers booking tickets on this route, so that they can experience the best of Cambodian and Indian hospitality.

Since July 2020, Cambodian Lundy Taing has been running the Amber Kampot hotel. A very active, friendly and cheerful character, Lundy is also a passionate hotelier who has not hesitated to challenge himself to manage this destination, which is not quite like any other. Tell us a little about yourself and your background My name is Lundy Taing. I was actually born in Battambang, but I moved to Siem Reap in 1995 and I'm still a resident there. I'm currently the manager of Amber Kampot. My career started with a hotel in Siem Reap. In 2001, I joined the Hôtel de La Paix before moving on to other hotels. Finally, in 2015, I joined the Thalias group. I worked at the Malis Siem Reap and also for the one in Phnom Penh. A year later I moved on to the Banyan Tree, but when the Covid arrived they decided to close, so I moved to Kampot and I've been working at Amber since 2020. How did you get here? I knew the former general manager of Templation in Siem Reap well, as his daughter also goes to the same school as my children, and he asked me if I wanted to work in Kampot. I said yes and he sent me the application form. I applied, was accepted and then came to Kampot in July 2020. How would you define Amber Kampot? Amber Kampot caters for everyone because as a resort, our market is local, local upmarket and also tourist. As far as tourists are concerned, we welcome everyone, Americans, Australians, French, British, Europeans and Chinese. So everyone is welcome at Amber Kampot. What type of activities do you offer? As we have direct access to the river, we concentrate on water-based activities. We offer free kayaking, paddle-boarding, water-biking, Hobie-cats, water-skiing and other fun activities. I think we're the only ones to do this. Then we offer other activities such as the sunset boat trip, which is very popular, and also the floating dinner and picnic on an island. We also offer dawn kayak trips through the mangrove forest at Trapaing Sangke. Soon, we will be working with the Marine Conservation association and will be able to take our customers to see the dolphins. These are the on-site activities, but we also organise excursions and special days to discover the region's emblematic places. What are the challenges in running Amber Kampot? I actually really like Amber Kampot because I love water and there are lots of activities linked to it. “Before, I didn't even know how to drive a boat or what water-skiing or windsurfing was, but for almost four years now in Kampot, I've been able to do it all. For me, it's very exciting to be working in this hotel.” After COVID, the situation became quite difficult, but I think people will come to Kampot more and more. The governor is very active in promoting the region. So I hope that in the future, Kampot will welcome more and more tourists. Today, we face a challenge because our main clientele is local. And now that the borders are open, many Cambodians are choosing to travel abroad. Foreign tourists are coming back, but very slowly. Today, we are welcoming a few, but this is still not enough to compensate for the loss of the local market. Are there any other attractions to highlight at Amber Kampot? In fact, people come here for the change of scenery and also to discover the region. Our accommodation is very luxurious and we strive to offer top quality gastronomy, in keeping with the prestige of our establishment. Our chef, Dimanche, is very creative and regularly offers new fusion dishes to keep our regular customers happy. In fact, 30 to 40% of our customers are regulars, so we have to keep them entertained, both with our activities and our menu. In conclusion, do you feel happy here? Absolutely, it's a demanding but exciting job that allows you to touch on a bit of everything. Having chosen this profession, I'm delighted to be able to do it in such a privileged place.

The local representation of France's foreign trade advisors and the France-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Industry have confirmed that the 2024 edition of the France-Cambodia Business Forum will take place from 8 to 10 July. “This forum is a major event designed to explore the vast potential of the Cambodian market and is a direct follow-up to the visit of the Kingdom's Prime Minister Hun Manet to France on 18 and 19 January 2024”,say the organisers, pointing out that on this occasion, seven memorandums of understanding were signed, notably in the energy, infrastructure and distribution sectors, marking a new dynamic in Franco-Cambodian relations. “These agreements also demonstrate the Cambodian government's desire to promote the development of the private sector. The Forum is therefore a unique opportunity for French companies to capitalise on this potential for growth and economic development, and to connect with potential partners, political decision-makers and local experts.” The Forum will bring together French and Cambodian officials, including Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet - Prime Minister of Cambodia, M. The Forum will bring together French and Cambodian officials, including Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet - Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Franck Riester - French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, the Francophonie and French Nationals Living Abroad, His Excellency Sun Chanthol - Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, His Excellency Sok Chenda Sophea - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and Mr François Corbin - Vice-President of the Mouvement des Entreprises de France International (MEDEF International). Programme The event will take place over three days. The first day, to be held at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, will be devoted to Cambodia's policies and priorities, with speeches by official representatives. The second day, at the Raffles Hôtel Le Royal Phnom Penh, will focus on the Cambodian market through the experience of entrepreneurs (context, opportunities and feedback), notably in the form of round tables. The third day in Sihanoukville will be devoted to government meetings and visits to sites with strong economic activity. See the detailed programme here

With the creation of a new airline, offering direct flights between Phnom Penh and the Indian capital, New Delhi. A strategic shift towards a promising customer base at a time when the travel sector is feeling the impact of China's slower-than-expected reopening. The decision, hailed by the Indian embassy in Phnom Penh as a “remarkable step and a historic achievement in the strong collaboration between these two nations and likely to open up opportunities in tourism and business partnerships”, comes against a backdrop of strong growth in Indian tourism as travellers from the world's most populous country flock to Southeast Asia, consolidating the country's position as a key market for a travel sector reeling from China's slower-than-expected reopening. A number of Thai and Vietnamese companies have realised this, and are already taking advantage of India's booming middle class and its soaring purchasing power. According to industry experts, South-East Asia is clearly well positioned to host much of the growth that will inevitably come from India. The travel industry remains vital to many of the region's economies, accounting for around 12% of the region's gross domestic product before the pandemic. Cambodia is slightly below this average, at 11.5%, compared to 32.7% in 2019, with annual growth of 4.7% since 2000. The tourism sector also employs more than 40 million people in the region, and for a decade the sector was fuelled by China, but official data for Southeast Asia shows a recovery that is far too slow, with the number of Chinese visitors in 2023 around 60% lower than in 2019. “In Thailand, Indians now account for almost 10% of the tourist clientele and this is an almost unhoped-for windfall”, says the director of a major hotel chain operating worldwide and in Cambodia. He also points out that the Kingdom also has to contend with the cost of tourist visas, whereas neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam offer free visas to certain travellers from around twenty countries. According to industry experts, ‘A long-term increase in the number of Indian tourists will lead to a recalibration of airline capacity, hospitality offerings and tourism operators’, and India could well become the next China ‘in terms of outbound tourism growth’ over the next decade. According to the Asian Development Bank, although connectivity is still limited by the small number of airports, ‘India will enable a historic leap in the sector this decade according to Covid’. In Thailand, where tourism is a mainstay of the economy, the number of Indian tourists - although lower than the Chinese in absolute terms - is only around 14% lower than it was in 2019. In May 2023, more Indians than Chinese visited Singapore, while in the same month almost 63,000 Indians visited Indonesia, compared to just over 64,000 Chinese. “Connections with India are very important”, says Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, which operates 14 flights a week with China - compared with 40 before the pandemic - and 70 flights a week with India. Part of Thai's fleet of narrow-body aircraft, which could double over the next decade, will be deployed in India. Indian airline IndiGo, which has ordered 500 Airbus aircraft to meet regional demand, said it had seen a ‘sharp increase’ in routes between India and Southeast Asia, which it connects with more than 100 flights a week. Overall, seat capacity on scheduled flights between China and Southeast Asia was 57% below pre-COVID levels, but flights from India to the region have jumped by around 90%. Indians are therefore making a major contribution to the post-pandemic rebound of hotel chains, including Minor Hotels, which has 45 establishments in South-East Asia and more than 6,000 rooms. “The Indian market has become one of our main regular source markets” says CEO Dillip Rajakarier, adding that the hotel chain has stepped up its marketing throughout India. The Royal Cambodian Embassy in India has been working closely with its Indian counterpart to reach a final decision on direct flights between the two countries. In the meantime, Cambodia's civil aviation authority has given the Indian carrier Indigo Air the go-ahead to operate flights between New Delhi and Siem Reap. Data from the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism shows that Cambodia welcomed 68,836 Indian visitors in 2023, an increase of more than 102% on the 34,016 visitors the previous year, but still a far cry from Thai statistics. In a bid to catch up, Cambodia and India have also formed a technical team to begin negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement that would strengthen trade, investment and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

The Korea Industry Alliance Forum (KIAF) has announced plans to organise a Korea-Cambodia Business Forum in Phnom Penh in November this year. The forum will provide an opportunity for Korean investors to explore investment potential in Cambodia. Mr. MARN Ki-jeong shared the plan during his courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in Seoul, the Republic of Korea on 17 May 2024. KIAF is a group of over 40 Korean companies, some of which are already investing in Cambodia, while others are interested in investing or expanding their investment activities in the Kingdom. In response, Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister expressed his pleasure and appreciation for the KIAF’s members who have been doing business and investing in Cambodia, and welcomed those interested in investing in the Kingdom. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also briefed the KIAF’s chairman on supporting policies and regulations for investment. The Cambodian Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to the upcoming Cambodia-Korea Business Forum in Phnom Penh and encouraged the KIAF to continue its fruitful collaboration with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Commerce to ensure the forum's success. AKP

As of May, Cambodia has attracted 147 investment projects, according to Prime Minister Samdech Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. The Prime Minister has been engaged in a programme of foreign investor engagement to further develop the Kingdom. He addressed a gathering of Cambodians in the Republic of Korea this morning, reiterating his commitment to attracting foreign investment to Cambodia. "As of May, we have attracted a total of 147 investment projects, worth US$2.7 billion, generating 140,000 jobs," he said. At the same time, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet encouraged all 45,000 Cambodian migrant workers in the Republic of Korea to work hard and contribute their expertise and skills to the national development. The Premier also informed them of the outcome of his four-day visit to Seoul from 15-18 May, and the Royal Government‘s commitment to transform the industrial sector, from light industry to advanced industry. AKP - STPM

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK) H.E. Kim Jin Pyo has congratulated Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on the outcomes of his official visit to the ROK from 15-18 May 2024. In response, Samdech Thipadei, Prime Minister of Cambodia, expressed his gratitude to H.E. Kim Jin Pyo for his warm welcome and thanked the ROK for its contribution to the socio-economic development of Cambodia. He also informed him of the results of the fruitful meetings with the ROK’s President and Prime Minister, particularly on the progress of cooperation in various fields in the common interests of both nations. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his appreciation for the promotion of people-to-people exchange and the establishment of direct flights between the two countries, particularly between their major cities and tourist destinations. He also highlighted two initiatives: the establishment of a regular consultation mechanism between the Korean Business Association in Cambodia and government agencies, and the establishment of a special economic zone for Korean investment companies with a special and unique business environment. In terms of economic and trade relations, Samdech Thipadei highlighted that the entry into force of the Korea-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement and the upgrading of relations to a "strategic partnership" will further contribute to the promotion of bilateral relations, trade and investment activities.

Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Ueno Atsushi has commended the organisation of elections in Cambodia, whether they are general or non-universal elections. Besides, H.E. Ambassador spoke highly of peace and stability in Cambodia, the key factors that attract many Japanese firms to invest in the country. According to H. E. Ueno Atsushi, Japan has supported the National Election Committee to establish a national data centre, and intends to further strengthen the cooperation with Cambodia in human resource training in the digital and mine clearance sectors. In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen confirmed that Cambodia has been holding regular elections with the participation of various political parties since 1993. “ Cambodia has never postponed elections, both at the national and sub-national levels” , he added. The Senate president thanked Japan for her assistance to Cambodia so far, and encouraged further cooperation in the digital sector between the two countries. Samdech Techo Hun Sen and H.E. Ueno Atsushi also exchanged views on regional and international issues, such as the situation in Myanmar, the Middle East crisis, Ukraine-Russia war, and the impact of AI development on global socio-economy. Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that war is part of the growth of technology such as bullets, guns, combat aircraft, etc. If the world shifts from the use of technology for war to the use of technology for economy, global progress will be at a peak.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the luxury heritage hotel in Cambodia’s capital, will welcome acclaimed French Chef Stephane Carrade of the 2-Michelin-star Le Skiff Club for a series of exclusive meals later this month. Chef Stephane, whom the MICHELIN Guide describes as a “talented and skilled captain … who combines generosity and finesse,” will serve distinctive dinner and lunch sets at the hotel’s signature fine dining outlet, Restaurant Le Royal, on May 29, 30 and 31. The meals feature an exclusive partnership with Louis XIII, the luxury cognac. The dinner, served from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., is priced at $98++, while the lunch, served from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m., is priced at $48++, with optional wine pairings and special Louis XIII tasting. Advance reservations are recommended. “Our hotel guests and local residents in Phnom Penh increasingly look to Raffles Hotel Le Royal for some of Cambodia’s most extraordinary fine dining experiences. Chef Stephane, with his two Michelin stars, promises to immerse gourmet diners in an exceptional world of refined flavours,” Raffles Hotel Le Royal General Manager Dennis de Groot said. MICHELIN praises Le Skiff Club’s “delightful ‘progressive terroir’ cuisine,” calling it “a superb celebration of the Aquitaine region of southwest France.” The restaurant is located in a 1930s Basque hotel that was redesigned by Philippe Starck. Chef Stephane is renowned for working with small regional producers to source the highest-quality local fish, herbs and meats, as well as the finest produce. Raffles Hotel Le Royal has elevated fine dining in Phnom Penh over the past year with a series of remarkable culinary experiences featuring guest chefs with Michelin-star backgrounds, including Chef Nicolas Isnard in April, Chef Martin Simolka in March, and Chef Pascal Favre d’Anne, Chef Thierry Drapeau and Vietnam Iron Chef winner Chef Sakal Phoeung last year. For inquiries and reservations for Chef Stephane’s distinctive culinary experience at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact the hotel at Tel: 023 981 888 or email: dining.leroyal@raffles.com. Or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and three South Korean financial institutions – JB Bank, Kookmin Bank and Woori Bank – have entered into a cooperation agreement to promote cross-border payments and remittances for migrant workers. H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the NBC, signed three separate bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on "Cross-Border QR code payment" on the agenda of the Cambodia-Korea Business Forum on 16 May in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, according to a press statement. The signing ceremony was presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, during his official visit to the Republic of Korea from 15 to 18 May 2024. On the occasion, Credit Bureau Cambodia also signed a tripartite MoU with Credit Bureau Korea and JEONBUK Bank on "Cross-Border Credit Report Sharing" between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Korea. NBC stated that these MoUs will facilitate tourism business activities and promote cross-border payment transactions, remittances and payments in the national currency, thereby increasing trust, security, efficiency, stability and more environmentally beneficial for the people and businesses of both countries. Additionally, it will also contribute to strengthening the exchange of credit information more effectively and securely.