Welcome Foreign Minister Kushida Fumio, Japanese Consensus on Cambodia
I am so pleased today to be able to return to this place once again after my presence on 10 December 2012 to launch the construction of the AEON Mall in Phnom Penh. We are here today to put the mall into official opening. I have a great pleasure and thank HE Kushida Fumio, Foreign Minister of Japan, for conducting his visit to Cambodia at this inaugurating ceremony of the first biggest mall in Cambodia. HE Kushida and I have taken this chance to inaugurate jointly the mall, a Japanese investment, which is a clear message to the people of Japan about the advancement of relation between our two countries.
I could recall that at the launch of the construction of the mall on 10 December 2012, which is six days before the elections of the House of Representatives in Japan, I was making a statement about Japanese investors’ trust in the Cambodian situation. I also made a statement that no matter who would take over in Japan, the (Japanese Democratic) Party of HE (Yusihiko) Noda would stay in power or the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan would take over, I was affirmative, there would be a political consensus on Cambodia and/or on ASEAN.
I stressed further that it would not happen in such a way that if (the LDPJ of) HE Shinzo Abe takes power, he would pull out the investment made by the ruling Party of HE (Yusihiko) Noda. I made it clear at the time. It is true. What has evolved so far has been nothing else but positive development. The construction of the mall has been smooth.
Thank You AEON Mall Company and Municipality of Phnom Penh
I would like to take this opportune moment to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for the AEON Company in its efforts to realize this project according to plan. It has taken the company only 1 year and 7 months to finish the plan as scheduled. In addition to this, I also thank the Mayor of Phnom Penh, former Mayor Kep Chuktema and current Mayor Pa Socheatvong, for the coordination and facilitation efforts they have made relating to this project. I also thank the Cambodian Development Council (CDC) and related institutions for holding on to their key roles in realizing this project and this inauguration ceremony.
I may address to Foreign Minister HE Kushida Fumio that this mall is so small compared to those in Japan but it is a gigantic mall in Cambodia for covering an area of 10,000 square meters. The good point is that it is not only a market where people can shop but also a leisure, studying and sport centre. The multiservice complex provided by the mall clearly illustrates the company’s trust in the Cambodian situation. I would like to take this opportune moment to express through Foreign Minister HE Kushida Fumio to leaders of the AEON Company for their involvement in the last two decades in various sectors – school construction, culture, museum, environmental protection and people-to-people relation.
2,500 Workers in AEON Mall, Direct Flight from Japan
I could recall that in 2011, representative of the AEON Company came to see me. We discussed on many things. At one point, the representatives had my attention on the purpose of setting up a market place but also their concern about human resource. I told them there are many Cambodians who have finished their study. I recommended the AEON Mall Company to recruit and train them so that they can do the job the company anticipates. My recommendation has become a reality now as there are 2,500 workers employed by the mall. The company recruited and trained them before putting them in the jobs and I am sure they are going to get more training and exposure along the way. It is one way of addressing the need for human resource.
I also could recall that at the launch of the construction, we also talked about the counterpart fund project partly paid by the Company and partly by the Phnom Penh Municipality to build an access road to the mall. I also promised that I would come to the celebration of the mall. Usually I do not inaugurate the market for there could be this feeling of jealousy among other small investments. In fact, I presided over the inauguration of the Minebea Company’s and the Yasaki company’s projects. As for AEON, I made my presence twice. From now whoever makes big investment I would take the time to preside over inauguration ceremony or otherwise Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon could do that. This project is rather big with a total investment of 250 million USD.
Cambodia-Japan Relations – Strategic Partnership
The construction of the mall has taken only one year and seven months but it spanned across two terms of the Royal Government of Cambodia. It started in the later part of the fourth legislative term of the National Assembly Royal Government and opens in the early part of the fifth legislative term of the National Assembly Royal Government. Hun Sen presided over the construction ceremony and today Hun Sen officially opens the market. The only difference is that when I came to launch the construction, there was only leveled land but now we have a big mall.
Later in the day, Foreign Minister Kushida Fumio will conduct negotiation with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, HE Hor Namhong. I will also meet with HE Kushida Fumio this evening before the signing ceremony on a number of agreements before HE Kushida Fumio will call on HM the King at 5pm. In my visit to Japan in December last year, the two countries agreed to promote relations to strategic partners. Among the many topics of discussion with Prime Minister HE Shinzo Abe, I had presented him the idea of having a direct flight between Japan and Cambodia. Now, the flight has started on a trial basis.
I am sure that the direct flight between Japan and Cambodia would increase confidence and there will be many Japanese coming to Cambodia and to the AEON Mall Phnom Penh. It would be very helpful as the direct flight would allow investors, economists and tourists from Japan to come to Cambodia and go to Japan without having to waste time going via a third country. I am confident that what has been a promising discussion, between me and my Japanese counterpart HE Shinzo Abe, would be realized in the near future. Days ago, I also signed a delegation of power to the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation to countersign with the Japanese party. I have a strong hope that the direct flight will bring more Japanese guests to Cambodia.
Just now, the Japanese Foreign Minister HE Kushida Fumio also mentioned in his speech that the Cambodians should also visit Japan. I am definitely sure that there will be reciprocation in people-to-people relation. The Cambodians also have the need to go visit Japan. What we need to carry on from now is to mobilize more investments from Japan to Cambodia. It is a matter of high consideration.
Spend More Time with Japanese Investors
I could say that among foreign investors, I have spent a lot of time meeting with the Japanese investors. I have offered to conduct meeting in various forms in order to explain to them the investment environment and to drawn them a visit to Cambodia. It seems that good results have gradually appeared through latest investments in recent years. I hope that after opening this mall and with encouragement from the Japanese government, there will be more Japanese companies coming to Cambodia.
At the same time, Cambodia has to improve its investment environment to attract more investments from Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Along with this, I just learned about an issue relating to the Acacia slices exporting to Japan. I am sure the matter has been brought to the attention of HE Aun Pornmuniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance, already. I just learned that exporting Acacia slices/chips to Japan has been taxed ten percent. The explanation was because the item was classified in forestry products, which include both planted and naturally grown trees.
Today, the Minister of Economy and Finance declares delineating separately the two different products. We have grown so many Acacia trees – along the dirt roads, water canal and people’s own cultivation. Having resolved this issue, we also encourage our people to grow more Acacia trees. We are looking forward to potential companies from Japan to purchase Acacia from Cambodia to Japan and, at the same time, AEON Mall brings goods from Japan to Cambodia. That is a two-way trade in action. In the forthcoming negotiation between the two foreign ministers, in relation to trade issue between the two countries or between Japan and ASEAN, I would urge Japan to offer more chances for more goods to be purchased from ASEAN, Cambodia also included, to be purchased from Japan.
Anyone Reverses Cambodian Situation – A Criminal
A matter of fact, wholesale or retail market would depend on peace and stability in the country. Would there be anyone like going shopping when the country is unstable? This is a very important point. If the country is in war or division, there are to be anarchic action in the street, who would come to shop in AEON Mall? It is in this sense that keeping peace, exercising national reconciliation and maintaining political stability is important. Achieving the three tasks will ensure not only the need for the growing business of AEON Mall but also for the country’s development in general. Whoever attempts to reverse the Cambodia into civil war or instability is nothing but a criminal.
It has taken us on a long and difficult journey to get peace for the country. It was since when Japan was under the leadership of Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu. In 1990s, we signed the agreement to establish the Supreme National Council in Tokyo, Japan. Japan was under the Premiership of HE Toshiki Kaifu, Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama and Deputy Foreign Minister Hisashi Owada. There was a story about conducting a peace talk in Japan. The Cambodian factions met in Japan and the Khmer Rouge factions led by Khieu Samphan and Son Sen boycotted the meeting. Thailand was also convener of the meeting.
The question then arose if Prime Minister Kaifu, Foreign Minister Nakayama and Vice Foreign Minister Owada would let the forum fail, when there had already an agreement between Hun Sen, Sihanouk and Son San already. HE Owada and HE Chavalit Yongchaiyudh came to see me at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo. They said to me that it would be illogic for Your Excellency, but would you accept this illogic thing. “I accepted because I could not leave Japan in failure,” I said. The signing ceremony then happened at night. I think HE Ieng Mouly also was present. There were two formulas for the formation of members of the SNC then – a six + six or six plus two + two + two formation. No process should be left deadlock. The process in Cambodia should not too. AEON Mall does not stall as some would want it to. The market is in operation and people come shopping.
Everything Happened as It Should
There was one other story. In a peace negotiation dinner, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, HE Son San and Khieu Samphan all sat at one table with the presence of Foreign Minister Nakayama. Hun Sen and his team were at another table with the presence of Vice Foreign Minister Owada. By the time the dinner reached the third course, the Foreign Minister and Vice Foreign Minister of Japan had to swap the table. When HE Kushida Fumio has to conduct a visit to Cambodia, it happens. HE Shinzo Abe had to come to Cambodia, it happened. As I had to visit Japan, that happened too.
I am sure that some of you were startled last night with your hair stand on end that Holland football team almost lost the game. I would say a word about penalty on Mexican team. In fact, Mexico led with one goal already. It was unbelievable. However, the last minute penalty took away the Mexican chance of winning the game. Those of you who bet on Holland and Brazil had your hair stood on end. The ball is round. Nothing can be sure. Spain, England and Italy already went home. Japan, though not made it to final, still represented us Asia.
Overall, I am sure that HE Motoya Okada clearly figures out (1) Cambodia has to have stability and (2) income of the Cambodian people is higher in order to go to his mall. We need to find out ways to help people to generate income and to attract more foreign investments.
Thanks Japan for Peace Building and Strengthening
Since this is the first time for Foreign Minister Kushida Fumio to visit Cambodia, I may have his attention that as travelling to and from your hotel you may notice many motorbikes or cars and other means of transport, there were nothing from 35 years ago. As I said in my earlier presence that I had a photo of myself with my children in this area, where there were only bushes of reed. After the liberation, we had people living in the city. Now we have more people living in the city than the infrastructural designed can support. We have some 300,000 cars and roughly 1 million motorbikes – Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, etc. all Japanese made. On 31 (July) we will put into official use new overpasses and underground passes, which will help relieve traffic congestion.
Please allow me to call on our people, especially the youth who are staff of the mall, to pay special attention in their work and to further their study to improve their working capability for the progress of the mall. I would advise that once the mall operates in profit, you would also have your pay better. You do not have to go on strike or demonstrate to create damages to the mall. We have come across too many incidents already. Through HE Foreign Minister Kushida, I would convey to the Royal Government and people of Japan my sincere thank for their contribution to peace building and strengthening, many more achievements and assistance, which also include the on-going construction of the Neak Loeung Bridge – important for Cambodia and ASEAN. This evening there will be a signing ceremony to build the remaining section of the road that connects between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh city via Phnom Penh, Cambodia./.