Hello, readers:
Last week we were thrilled to finally have the latest print edition of Focus Cambodia magazine in our hands. Our company was established as a print publisher back in 2007 with the launch of Southeast Asia Globe, and we always love getting back to our roots and the process of putting together a quality magazine. If you’d like to get your hands on a copy of Focus Cambodia, let us know by replying to this email.
With that behind us, we’ll be posting stories from the magazine online over the coming weeks. To get started, we shared our conversation with Keo Rottanak, Cambodia’s Minister of Mines and Energy. We spoke with Rottanak in late 2023 to learn more about the Kingdom’s ambitious plans to reach net-zero by 2050. You can also watch the full interview online here.
Continuing to look towards the future, we shared our analysis of the challenges and opportunities the country will face when it graduates from a least developed country (LDC) to a middle income one by the end of the decade. This all on the heels of the Asian Development Bank’s recently released report outlining the major policy challenges associated with LDC graduation.
These obstacles primarily come from the loss of trade benefits associated with the LDC status, however, developments in Cambodia’s food-processing industry are opening the door to new markets for the country’s agricultural goods. A Cambodia Quality Seal and investment into food-safety standards hold promise for Cambodian products reaching consumers in Europe and beyond.
As local companies eye markets overseas, a very different flow of goods have recently been arriving in Cambodia. Looted artefacts seized from private collections around the world have been returned to an eagerly awaiting Kingdom. While repatriations have gained global attention, a complex story is happening behind the scenes. We travelled to Siem Reap to speak with the devoted conservationists quietly bringing the Kingdom’s Old Gods back to life. One piece at a time.
Beyond the temples and history in Siem Reap, our team set out for the country’s far flung reaches to bring you the eco-resorts and nature retreats setting the standard for green getaways. From the ultimate in luxury to off-the-grid adventure trekking, we share our guide for those looking to venture into the wild.
Finally, we spoke with business woman and hospitality professional Porleng Van to learn about the history of one of Phnom Penh’s leading hotels, The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa.
That’s all for this week and as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or feedback about Focus Cambodia. Have a great weekend ahead!
Powering a Kingdom
Big bets are in the cards for Cambodia’s energy transformation, as Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak looks to meet ambitious targets by 2030
New status brings new challenges
Cambodia met the criteria to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status in 2021 and could be listed as a “developing country” as early as 2027
Quality is key
Cambodian agro-processors are achieving success through higher standards and responsible practices
Peace by piece
The return of Cambodia's cultural heritage, looted and destroyed over decades, is celebrated at home. Many of its lost treasures must be restored in a painfully slow process
Into the wild
From the Cardamoms to Mondulkiri, these wilderness resorts will stir the imaginations of adventurous and affluent travellers
Redefining Legacy: Porleng Van creates a Phnom Penh paradise from her family’s roots
Owner representative of The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa, Porleng Van, discusses the history and growth of her family's heritage project in the heart of Phnom Penh