Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade
SINGAPORE - Singapore and Cambodia will deepen their collaboration in several areas, including renewable energy, high-quality carbon credits and trade in food products, as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said this on July 2 in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, the latest in his series of introductory visits to Asean capitals.
At a luncheon hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace , PM Wong thanked Mr Manet for his invitation to visit and said the two countries' relationship had continued to grow from strength to strength over the last 60 years.
'Our ties...were built on the strong foundation laid by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and His Majesty King-Father Norodom Sihanouk,' PM Wong said in a toast speech. 'It is a foundation of mutual respect, trust and friendship that continues to guide our relationship today.'
He noted that Singapore is one of Cambodia's largest investors and trading partners. In 2024, the Republic was Cambodia's third-largest foreign investor, with bilateral trade between the countries increasing 7.1 per cent year on year to $4.83 billion.
Earlier in the day, PM Wong called on Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace. He also called on Senate President Hun Sen.
At his meeting with Mr Manet, the two leaders discussed several priority areas of cooperation.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey
Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty
Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat
Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July
Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years
Singapore 2 men face charges over fatal maritime accident near Pedra Branca island
Singapore Police looking into claim by driver who caused teen's death that he was an NUS student
Singapore 3 weeks' jail for man who touched himself on train, flicked bodily fluid on female passenger
The first such area is renewable energy, and the two countries' cooperation will help build a greener and more interconnected Asean, said PM Wong.
He cited a project for Singapore to import one gigawatt of low-carbon electricity from Cambodia, which will be a key building block towards an Asean Power Grid.
This is a plan to link up the electricity networks of the group's member countries and enable cross-border power trading by 2045.
Some progress has already been made on this front, with Singapore's Keppel having inked a pact in 2023 with Cambodia's Royal Group Power for the long-term import and sale of one gigawatt (GW) of low-carbon electricity.
On high-quality carbon credits, the countries are working together on an implementation agreement for an earlier memorandum of understanding.
'This will mobilise financing for clean-energy projects, uplift rural communities and improve livelihoods, while enabling both our countries to hit our net-zero goals,' said PM Wong.
With Cambodia being a key agricultural exporter and Singapore importing almost all its food, the two countries will also deepen their cooperation in this field .
'We are also keen to diversify our sources of food imports, so closer collaboration in this area will be mutually beneficial for both our countries,' said PM Wong.
Both countries also agreed to continue working to strengthening Asean centrality and unity to keep the grouping relevant and to advance the region's collective interests.
'In this uncertain global environment, it is more important than ever for Asean to stay cohesive, uphold open channels of dialogue, and work together to resolve our differences peacefully,' said PM Wong.
He added that Singapore and Cambodia continue to be steadfast partners in human development, with nearly 19,000 Cambodian officials having received training in areas like public health, digital governance and public administration under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP).
Much of this training is conducted right in Phnom-Penh at the Cambodia-Singapore Cooperation Centre, noted PM Wong.
The centre is one of three Singapore Cooperation Centres that the SCP has been operating since the Initiative for Asean Integration was launched under Singapore's chairmanship of Asean in 2000. The other centres are in Laos and Vietnam.
PM Wong said Cambodia has made remarkable strides over the past six decades to transform from a post-conflict society to a rapidly developing nation, and that under Mr Manet's leadership it has charted an ambitious strategy to become a high-income nation by 2050.
'Singapore will continue to walk alongside Cambodia in this development journey,' he said.
He added: 'I am confident that with Prime Minister Manet's support and leadership, we will continue to deepen our bilateral partnership and expand our cooperation for win-win outcomes, and deliver meaningful benefits for both our people.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
12 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Russian Navy deputy head killed by Ukraine, says Moscow
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy head of the Russian Navy and a former commander of a marine brigade fighting against Ukraine, has been killed in action, depriving Moscow of one of its most senior officers, the Russian military said on Thursday. Gudkov, who was handed a top military honour in the Kremlin by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February, was killed on Wednesday "during combat work in one of the border districts of Kursk region," the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels had earlier reported that Gudkov had been killed, along with other servicemen and officers, in a Ukrainian missile attack on a command post in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, with a U.S.-made HIMARS missile. Reuters could not independently verify how Gudkov, 42, whose call sign was 'Viking', died or what he was doing in Kursk. Some Russian war bloggers said he had been in overall command of marines advancing in Ukraine's neighbouring Sumy region. In charge of the navy's coastal and land forces, including marine units, he is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. At least 10 other senior Russian commanders have been killed in action or assassinated by Kyiv since the start of the war. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which accused Gudkov and his subordinates of committing various war crimes, something Moscow denied. In the far eastern port city of Vladivostok, the home base of Russia's Pacific Fleet, mourners left flowers near an outdoor portrait of Gudkov, part of a photo exhibition celebrating officers Russia regards as military heroes. Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorsky region which includes the port, said in a statement that Gudkov, whom Putin appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the navy in March, had been killed "carrying out his duty as an officer" along with others, and expressed his condolences to the dead men's relatives. Attached to his statement was a video showing him awarding Gudkov a military honour and images of Gudkov - set to a patriotic Russian song - on the battlefield. "When he became deputy chief of the navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines," Kozhemyako said on Telegram. Russian war blogger 'Romanov Light' said Gudkov was regarded by troops as one of the most effective commanders and as one of the few to tell superiors the real situation on the ground rather than what they wanted to hear. Before his promotion to the navy's top brass, Gudkov had led a marine brigade of Russia's Pacific Fleet, which had fought in Ukraine and had fought in Kursk too. Parts of Kursk were seized by Ukrainian forces in a surprise offensive in August 2024 before Russia said earlier this year it had driven them out. REUTERS
Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Russian missile strike on Odesa port infrastructure kills two, Kyiv says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox KYIV - A Russian airstrike on key Ukrainian export infrastructure in the southern Black Sea port city of Odesa killed two people and wounded six more, including two foreigners, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday. About 90% of all Ukrainian exports are shipped to foreign markets through the ports of the Odesa seaport hub, including millions of tonnes of grain and metals. "Today, an Iskander missile hit one of the berths of the Odesa seaport. At the time, people were working at the berth, unloading metal from a foreign vessel flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe," Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on the Telegram messenger. He said berthing facilities for bulk carriers, port cranes, cars and warehouses were damaged. Kuleba said two people were killed - a docker-mechanic and a truck driver. Six more people were injured, including two Syrian citizens and members of the crew of a civilian ship. "This is not an isolated incident; rather, it is part of Russia's targeted campaign against Ukraine's economy and agriculture, as well as global food security and freedom of navigation," Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Telegram. Russia regularly attacks Ukrainian port infrastructure and stepped up strikes after Ukraine began exporting goods through its maritime corridor along the western coast of the Black Sea. Moscow says its attacks are aimed at impeding Ukraine's war efforts. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 193ha of land off Changi to be reclaimed for aviation park; area reduced to save seagrass meadow Singapore PAP questions Pritam's interview with Malaysian podcast, WP says PAP opposing for the sake of opposing Singapore 1 in 4 appeals to waive HDB wait-out period for private home owners approved since Sept 2022 World Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain Singapore Healthcare facility planned for site of Ang Mo Kio Public Library after it moves to AMK Hub Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Business 60 S'pore firms to get AI boost from Tata Consultancy as it launches new innovation centre here Singapore Scoot launches flights to Da Nang, Kota Bharu and Nha Trang; boosts frequency to other destinations Ukraine created a shipping corridor in the Black Sea following the collapse of a U.N.-backed Black Sea grain export initiative in 2023 that involved Russia and had ensured the safe passage of grain ships. Since the start of the Ukrainian sea corridor in August 2023, 101 million tonnes of food cargo, including 78.5 million tonnes of grain, have been exported by sea from Odesa ports. REUTERS
Business Times
15 minutes ago
- Business Times
US House Republicans head toward final vote on Trump's sweeping tax-cut Bill
[WASHINGTON] Republicans in the US House of Representatives advanced President Donald Trump's massive tax-cut and spending Bill towards a final yes-or-no vote early on Thursday (Jul 3) morning, appearing to overcome internal party divisions over its cost. During a marathon overnight session, lawmakers cleared a final procedural hurdle needed to begin debate on the Bill in a 219-213 vote at around 3.30 am ET (0730 GMT). It was not clear when they would hold a final vote. As dawn broke in Washington, the top House Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries, was well into what was turning into an hours-long speech, calling out Republican lawmakers by name as he blasted the package as a giveaway to the wealthiest Americans. 'This one big, ugly Bill-this reckless Republican budget – this disgusting abomination is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,' he said, a scathing reference to Trump's name for his signature legislation: One Big Beautiful Bill. 'The focus of this Bill, the justification for all of the cuts that will hurt everyday Americans is to provide massive tax breaks for billionaires.' His remarks had echoes of Democratic Senator Cory Booker's record-setting April speech that accused Trump of 'recklessly' challenging the nation's democratic institutions. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Democrats are united in opposition to the bill, but on their own lack the votes to stop the Bill in the chamber, which is controlled 220-212 by Trump's Republicans. Republicans can afford no more than three defections to get a final Bill passed. The past two weeks have shown deep Republican divides on the bill, which would add US$3.4 trillion to the nation's US$36.2 trillion in debt and make major cuts to social programmes including Medicaid. Republican lawmakers have long railed against the growth of the debt, which has continued over the past two decades regardless of which party was in control in Washington. A handful of Republican holdouts have objected to the Bill. One, Senator Thom Tillis, opted not to seek re-election after voting against it. Nonetheless, Trump has succeeded in getting the votes to advance the legislation at each step of the way. Votes in the House were held open for hours on Wednesday during the day and overnight as House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House talked with reluctant members. Johnson expressed optimism on Wednesday night, saying lawmakers had a 'long, productive day' discussing the issues. He praised Trump for making phone calls to the holdouts through the early hours of Thursday morning. 'There couldn't be a more engaged and involved president,' Johnson told reporters. Senate passage The Senate passed the legislation by the narrowest possible margin on Tuesday after intense debate on the Bill's hefty price tag and US$900 million in cuts to the Medicaid healthcare programmes for low-income Americans. Any changes made by the House would require another Senate vote, which would make it all but impossible to meet Trump's self-imposed deadline of getting the legislation approved by the Jul 4 holiday. The Bill would raise the nation's debt ceiling by US$5 trillion, a necessary step to avoid a devastating default later this summer. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that almost 12 million people could lose health insurance as a result of the Bill. The legislation contains most of Trump's top domestic priorities. It would extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, cut health and food safety net programmes, fund Trump's immigration crackdown, and zero out many green-energy incentives. It also includes a US$5 trillion increase in the nation's debt ceiling, which lawmakers must address in the coming months or risk a devastating default. REUTERS
