Cambodia Asks the U.S. to Consider Tax Exemptions

Phnom Penh, November 2, 2010 AKP --

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Hor Namhong has called on the U.S. to consider tax exemptions for Cambodian goods exporting to the U.S.

Speaking at a joint press conference here on Nov. 1 after his meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Cambodian deputy prime minister explained that the tax exemptions will contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development.

The U.S. has targeted to import annually Cambodian goods with the total values from US$2,000 million to US$3,000 million, he added. 

For her part, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton affirmed that the U.S. is willing to consolidate and expand the ties of friendship with Cambodia through trade exchanges and development in Cambodia.

“We can work even more closely together to help meet the challenges facing Cambodia and all Southeast Asia. Cambodia is doing more than ever before to improving health system, in particular, on HIV/AIDS. We will be helping the people of Cambodia mounts a comprehensive fight against the hunger by raising agricultural productivity and making nutrition foods more widely available,” she said.

Regarding the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, the U.S. secretary of state said the American government will consider providing more fund to support the tribunal’s process.

For the debt Cambodia owed to the U.S., Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton said a team of experts will come and resume talks with the Cambodian government on this issue.

She further wished to see the Office of the UN Human Rights in Cambodia continue to work with NGOs and the Cambodian government and the cooperation between the UN and the Cambodian government in human rights and rule of law training.

U.S. Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton began her official visit in Cambodia on Oct. 31 in Siem Reap province. She came to Phnom Penh on Monday where she met with Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong. She was also received in a royal audience by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni before leaving Cambodia on the same day. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)