News

From February 18^th to 22^nd, German Business Group Cambodia (ADW) and GIZ, a German development agency, conduct the German Training Week - Project Development (GTW-PD) in Phnom Penh. In this program, selected participants will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on technical, commercial and legal aspects how to develop rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects that will attract international investors and meet lenders’ requirements to accelerate the realization of solar PV adoption. The training is part of the framework of the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

BASF, the world’s leading chemical company and operating in more than 80 countries worldwide with subsidiaries and joint ventures, inaugurated its first wholly-owned company in the kingdom – BASF (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. – on January 16^th. BASF has been active in the Cambodian market since 2014 through distribution partners. Now, the company’s direct presence in the market will offer potential Cambodian customers and stakeholders innovative solutions in a range of diverse industries.

Mrs. Somaly and Mrs. Kinnary Kong, are the new shareholders of Automotive Asia (Cambodia) Limited and the local distributor for Audi. Mrs. Kinnary Kong has become the Managing Director of the company.

The German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) published the latest volume of its annual business handbook about the entire region. With a print run of 1,000 copies, it consists of current information about Asia in the fields of politics and economics. The Cambodian chapter was written by Dr. Markus Karbaum, General Manager of Dr. Karbaum Consulting & Coaching, who is the author of numerous economic and political analyses about Cambodia since 2003.

Tassilo Brinzer remains president of ADW – German Business Group Cambodia. The members attended also confirmed Thomas Hundt as vice president (left) and Marco Kalinna (right) as treasurer. All three board members were elected unanimously. Previously, the assembly expressed gratitude of their commitment so far and welcomed their willingness to continue their voluntary work.

In the first “Business Talk” organized by German Business Group Cambodia (ADW) and the Global Business Network (GBN) Programme in Phnom Penh, representatives of the private sector met their counterparts from major bilateral German development cooperation agencies. Following the establishment of GBN’s Business & Cooperation Desk within the German chapter of European Chamber of Commerce, the event on November 30th was the first of this kind in Cambodia, aiming to deepen links between the private sector, official bilateral development cooperation, non-governmental German organisations, and political foundations.

On 19th November 2018 Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbf) signed a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). Both partners will cooperate in academic research on gender and development in Cambodia. The project aims at strengthening the academic level of the participating students and at deepening the knowledge about gender and equity.

Great recognition for a great dedication: Nicolaus Mesterharm, founding director of the German Cambodian Cultural Center Meta-House Goethe-Center in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Ambassador Dr. Ingo Karsten presented the order on 1 November 2018 for Mr. Mesterharm’s unwavering commitment to the German-Cambodian understanding.

From Thursday to Sunday, classical music is going to be the nucleus of Phnom Penh’s cultural scene as the Art Plus Foundation invites to the 15th edition of the International Music Festival. It introduces works by immigrant composers from 19th century onwards in an advanced perspective of their works. There are four concerts between 1 and 4 November, each day one.

Lonely Planet, a giant among travel guide book publishers, emphasizes tourists from all over the world to visit Germany in 2019. It is the only European country in the top-ten ranking and is solely outperformed by Sri Lanka. And this insider tip is well-founded: “Prepare for a roller-coaster ride of feasts, treats and temptations experiencing Germany’s soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, big-city beauties, romantic palaces and half-timbered towns.”