Khann Chanvirak / Khmer Times Tue, January 19, 2021

The inauguration ceremony of the “Declaration of the Implementation of the Economic Diplomacy Strategy 2021-2023” at Sofitel Phnom Penh. KT/Khem Sovannara

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a change in strategy from traditional diplomacy, focussing on boosting the economy, culture and tourism in Cambodia.

For the past two years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working on strengthening human resources, the training of professional diplomats and the compilation of economic, trade, investment and tourism information to help improve the country’s economy through foreign affairs.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the “Economic Diplomacy Strategy 2021-2023 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation” in Phnom Penh yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn said the ministry clearly sees the urgent need to change the way of working from traditional diplomacy, implementing a foreign policy that has economic prosperity at its core.

Sokhonn added that the new strategy also aims to reduce Cambodia’s dependence on foreign aid and to promote local and international interest.

“This economic diplomacy strategy focusses on four major goals: promoting international trade, attracting foreign direct investment, promoting tourism and promoting cultural exchanges,” he said.

Sokhonn added: “Through the above strategy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a role promoting existing mechanisms to attract foreign direct investment, promoting the growth of bilateral and multilateral trade and attracting tourists by strengthening Cambodian cultural values abroad. The ministry will also develop a new generation of professional diplomats with high capacity, active in protecting and promoting national interests in all fields.”

Director-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, Kin Phea, said that the ministry’s strategy was a good step. He added that in the past Cambodia has been a traditional diplomat that has not focussed on turning diplomatic work into strategic work for the economy.

“Cambodian diplomats can become more important players in bringing benefits to international trade, investment and promoting the attractiveness of Cambodia’s tourism, culture and traditions to foreign countries, especially those with Cambodian ambassadors,” he said.

Phea added that it is necessary for Cambodia to further develop human resources in the field of diplomacy.

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Khmer Times Tue, January 19, 2021

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