The president of the Japanese Business Association of Cambodia (JBAC) says that about 87 Japanese business and companies operating businesses in Cambodia, have been affected by the COVID-19 virus and have asked for support and collaboration from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
JBAC’s President Kanda Yogo told Cham Prasidh, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation the companies, which are doing business in Cambodia, have been reported the impact on their business and called for the support from the government.
The Industry Minister Cham Prasidh said the impact of COVID-19 is at an interim stage and a global crisis not limited to Cambodia. However, he said that the government has released measures and policy consecutively to support and facilitate the business and investment environment in Cambodia.
“We hope that the situation will step-by-step be improving and, after COVID-19, we still believe that the JBAC continues to attract more investors and tourists from Japan to Cambodia,” Prasidh added.
“We will solve the issue case-by-case and based on what the ministry can do for the Japanese businesses and investors,” said Prasidh.
Ky Sereyvath, director of the China Study Centre of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, also showed concern over the impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing, especially from Japanese businesses and investors. It will also affect employment, production and exports.
“I believe that the government is working hard to support the private sector, especially the Japanese companies. But he said purchasing and orders are still an issue if countries that import and/or export still suffer from the COVID-19 crisis,” Sereyvath said.
Tan Kak Khun, chairman of Phnom Penh SEZ, said at the opening of its annual general shareholders’ meeting 2020, for the year 2019, the company’s finances remain strong in terms of both profit and revenue compared with the previous year. He said, however, this year will be challenging.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
