ASEAN NOW

CP Group and Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), two major Thai companies, appear to be continuing their expansion into Cambodia's retail industry. According to media sources quoting the Cambodian Business Council in Thailand, CP Group is interested in opening its first Tesco Lotus supermarket in Cambodia. According to the Construction & Property website, which is endorsed by the Cambodia Constructors Association, Tesco Lotus is “looking for at least three hectares of land in Phnom Penh.” This would not be the CP Group's first venture into Cambodian retail. CP ALL (Cambodia), the company's local division, established its first 7-Eleven convenience shop in Phnom Penh's Chroy Changvar neighborhood at the end of last month. In the rain, eager customers queued all evening to purchase the store's assortment of Thai-sourced goods. The opening had been postponed due to the emergence of the Coronavirus Delta strain, which slowed consumer purchasing. CP ALL had planned to open its first 7-Eleven in the Prek Pnov region of northern Phnom Penh, at the PTT petrol station on National Road Number 5. The abandoned PTT store, as well as a third location, which is now only a sign at a petrol station south of the Chroy Changvar outlet, are still displayed on Google Maps. BJC, another of Thailand's large companies, competes with CP Group. It established its first Big C branch in Cambodia's capital, the Mini Big C Depo Branch, earlier this month. There could be more Big Cs on the way. According to the Bangkok Post, the corporation wants to raise investment to expand its retail business in Cambodia over the next five years. “With our five-year plan, we aim to become Cambodia's No. 1 retailer in terms of value, size, and perception among Cambodian customers,” said Chief Operating Officer Gary Hardy, adding that the company plans to open hundreds of Big C stores in Phnom Penh and other major cities such as Siem Reap and Battambang. Hypermarkets, supermarkets, and Mini Big Cs would be among the stores. BJC launched its first Big C hypermarket a few years ago in the border town of Poipet. “Cambodia has a population of 15 million [sic], and Phnom Penh is a commercial center with a population of 2 million,” Hardy remarked. “Because Cambodians and Thais have similar interests, there are chances to grow Big C products and brands like Happy Price and Besico.”

Truck drivers who cross the border ferrying products back and forth between Thailand and Cambodia are spreading the virus to local inhabitants, according to Battambang province. Truck drivers cross the border on a daily basis, transporting critical products and perishables, adding to the province's efforts to restrict the spread of Covid-19 in the community. “The border with the biggest number of trucks crossing is the Doung International Checkpoint,” said Seam Borith, deputy province governor. If they are repeat entries, all participants are subjected to rapid Covid-19 tests every 72 hours.” On Saturday, Kamrieng district governor Sok Sokhun told Khmer Times that the increase in infections was likely caused by Covid-19 positive truck drivers who slipped through or those who tested negative at the international border but were asymptomatic. “Vendors have been reporting positive Covid-19 cases, and the impacted market is close to the Duong International Checkpoint. “We suspect that the high number of vendors testing positive for Covid-19 is due to truck drivers, who can number up to 600 per day,” he explained. “No migrant workers cross this gate; only truck drivers transfer commodities between Cambodia and Thailand,” he continued. “Once they enter Cambodian land, the drivers are tested for Covid-19, but the issue has exacerbated because the drivers and sellers have not sufficiently protected themselves, and many of them are asymptomatic when tested, thus not showing positive findings at the time of testing,” he said. The KRD market in O'daler village, Boeng Raing commune, Kamrieng district, was temporarily closed on Wednesday for the day after Battambang's provincial administration declared several portions of the hamlet a red zone. The majority of them sick are sellers at KRD market, and they were discovered after three days of quick testing on over 700 vendors and residents in the area. According to Sokhun, the market has up to 700 sellers and is the most popular in Kamrieng district. Out of 379 suppliers tested on Wednesday, 134 were determined to be positive. On Thursday, out of 217 vendors tested, 78 were found to be positive, and on Friday, out of 177 vendors tested, 40 were found to be positive, bringing the total to 252 by Saturday.

Salavanh Province has issued a warning to people, instructing them to prepare food and equipment in readiness of a new lockdown. Authorities in the province are considering tightening the lockdown due to an increase in the number of locally acquired Covid-19 cases. Residents should buy and prepare enough food and household supplies to endure through a rigorous lockdown period, according to a notice issued by the provincial administration office. During this time, shopkeepers and merchants are prohibited from raising prices or stockpiling goods for sale. Residents should resort to farming and producing crops to stay self-sufficient during this time, according to the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Today, the province recorded 12 new cases, with nine from the community and three from outside the province. To date, Salavanh Province has seen 1,015 cases of Covid-19.

Three former police officers, two of whom worked for the Immigration Department, told the Phnom Penh Appeal Court Wednesday that they were ignorant that the Ministry of Interior's identification department deputy director Major General Soeu Sitha kept 15 Chinese nationals hidden in a warehouse. Captain Rath Pin, 56, a deputy chief of the Khmer Identity Bureau under Sitha; Lieutenant Colonel Van Sopheap, 56, a legal procedure bureau officer with the Immigration Department; and Major Yin Vengleang, 42, also with the Department, said during their appeal hearing that they only learned about the Chinese nationals when Sitha ordered them to take $50,000 as a bribe to the aforementioned. Pin informed the court that on February 1, 2019, Sitha bought a 500-hectare lease property from a lawyer in Svay Chachib commune, Baset district, Kampong Speu province, to cultivate mango trees. He said that the leased land had been transferred to his name, and that Sitha had hired local farmers to grow mango trees on it, which he visited every weekend except June. He went on to say that Sitha had paid him $50,000 to bribe police officials who had arrested the Chinese nationals in exchange for their release. Police searched the warehouse on July 18 and detained the Chinese nationals, he added, while he was apprehended on July 24. “The Chinese nationals were not hidden by me. I am requesting that the court vacate the five-year jail sentence handed by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on October 6 of last year and release us,” he continued. Under Articles 253, 254, 605, and 586 of the Criminal Code, they were charged with "accomplices of arrest, imprisonment, and unlawful confinement with aggravating circumstances," "measures to hinder law enforcement with aggravating circumstances," and "abuse of power." Sitha and his 25-year-old daughter Tha Sreyleak, who works in the identification department, are still on the loose. The verdict will be delivered on September 23 by Presiding Judge Sin Visal.

For another 14 days, the Phnom Penh Capital Administration has opted to maintain administrative measures and suspend "high-risk" activities. This means the limitations will be in place until September 23, 2021. The following restrictions apply: – Public and private educational institutions that do not yet have a policy to reopen – All kinds of club businesses, such as karaoke, bar, disco, beer garden and casino – Resorts, museums, playgrounds and parks – Massage, sauna and all kinds of business – Cinemas, art theaters, gyms and sports centers of all kinds. All public meetings or gatherings of persons for the purpose of consuming alcohol of any type are prohibited. Administrative gatherings or private gatherings of more than 15 (fifteen) people must be suspended during the restoration of administrative measures, except in the following circumstances: – Gathering of family members living in the same house or lodge together– Organizing funerals in accordance with the regulations of the competent authorities and after takingSamples of corpses to be tested for Kovid-19 with negative results– Meetings of public institutions, gatherings and meetings of health workers to implement health measures, such as taking samples for analysis of Kovid-19 and vaccination Kovid-19– Meetings of other emergency medical personnel– Meetings of competent authorities and administrative forces at all levels to maintain security, order and public order– Meetings of people during Time of proceedings of a judicial police officer or a tribunal– A gathering of people who are necessary to serve the public interest or for the purpose Others as assessed by the authorities in charge.

Increased flooding and drought continue to threaten the Lower Mekong region. To help governments and communities manage extreme weather conditions, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and its partners are employing novel information and communication technology. The MRC and the Korea Development Institute (KDI) initiated a joint research initiative earlier this year as part of the 2020-2021 Knowledge Sharing Programme (KSP). The project's goal is to show how high-tech solutions may help Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam reduce flood and drought damage. It improves mitigation methods, reaction plans, and information distribution plans by utilizing cutting-edge satellite technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. “Changes in the hydrological cycle caused by rising global temperatures and development activities can bring stronger and longer drought and flood to many parts of the world, and the Lower Mekong is no exception,” said An Pich Hatda, CEO of the MRC Secretariat, at a workshop to wrap up the 2020-2021 KSP on Monday. “To promote more effective action in responding to these threats, countries must prioritize, scale up their response mechanisms, and take advantage of cutting-edge technologies,” he added. Officials from the four Lower Mekong Basin countries, as well as Korean specialists, met for the final reporting session to examine the project's findings and policy recommendations. The policy paper suggests that by evaluating flood and drought-prone areas, map-based flood and drought monitoring systems be developed. These countermeasures employ artificial intelligence, radar, and satellites as early-warning systems with built-in triggers to assist decision-making, such as declaring a flood or drought. These technologies can also capture high-quality hydro-meteorological data for an integrated flood and drought management plan across the basin. For successful information sharing and dissemination, the paper recommends increasing real-time monitoring systems and standardizing quality control of collected data. The collaborative MRC-KDI program has yielded more than just these recommendations. The two organizations have developed a network of professionals who can provide guidance and share information throughout the project. The two organizations have received significant insights and a greater grasp of crucial challenges as a result of their close collaboration. Dr. Chin Young Gon, Senior Advisor to the 2020–2021 KSP-MRC, said, "This is a fantastic example of promoting knowledge transfer, which is a distinctive element of Korea's approach to regional development, and we desire to engage with the MRC in flood and drought management through future KSP." The KSP 2020-2021 is the second of its sort to be undertaken jointly by the MRC and the KDI, with funding from the Korean government. As part of a Mekong-Korea Cooperation agreement, the first KSP was launched in 2017. The agreement allowed the two parties to work together on hydropower production, management, and river basin planning. Following today's debate, Mekong and Korean experts will finish the policy report and determine the best way to put the report's suggestions into action. Floods and droughts continue to be major issues in the Mekong region, wreaking more havoc and killing more people than any other natural calamity. The cost of floods alone is USD 70 million each year. These damages have far-reaching ecological consequences for the communities and industries that are affected. According to recent MRC studies, these tendencies will continue in the future decades, necessitating concerted measures to solve the issues. The MRC is a key player in coordinating flood and drought mitigation initiatives across the basin, while also advocating a collaborative approach that benefits its four member countries. The MRC has supplied lower Mekong countries with a variety of information, forecasts, and decision-support tools to help them better prepare for, monitor, and respond to flood and drought risks in recent decades. It is actively aiming to strengthen forecasting systems and capability in order to improve lead times, accuracy, and distribution while also increasing climate change resistance. These are some of the top strategic targets in the new MRC Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030 and Strategic Plan 2021–2025 for enhancing resilience to climate threats, extreme floods, and drought. The KSP will help to achieve the strategic objectives.

From today through September 14, 2021, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has issued a notification on the meteorological situation in Cambodia. Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Svay Rieng, Phnom Penh, Koh Kong Preah Sihanouk, and Kampot provinces are all experiencing flooding during this time. This is due to a low pressure system (ITCZ) that stretches from Burma to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as well as the 13th typhoon Konson, which is expected to make landfall in North Vietnam, and another active depression in the Philippines' East Sea.

A warning has been issued by the COVID-19 Sub Committee for a supermarket in Phnom Penh. It is requesting that everyone who visited or had contact with personnel at Lucky supermarket, Sihanouk Boulevard, BKK1 Phnom Penh between 16:50 pm and 17:30 pm on September 1, 2021, be quarantined for 14 days and proceed to the hospital promptly if they get COVID-like symptoms. This is due to a case of ‘Delta' visiting the aforementioned area.

Herbal remedies for Covid-19 will be produced in capsule form by pharmaceutical companies in Laos. Dr. Lattanaxay Phetsouvanh, Director-General of the Ministry of Health's Department of Communicable Disease Control, claims that Laos' Institute Traditional Medicine has studied the process of producing herbal medications in capsule form, which are now being used to treat patients infected with Covid-19. Andrographis paniculata, Houttuynia cordata, and white Kaempferias will be used to make herbal medicine capsules. “In the provinces of Champasack and Savannakhet, medical workers are already treating about 450 Covid patients using herbal medicine capsules,” stated Dr. Lattanaxay. Dr. Lattanaxay Phetsouvanh stated, "Herbal medicine has been shown to be useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders, particularly the coronavirus." “We are employing domestically sourced herbal medication, as well as Chinese government support,” he continued. Medical professionals intend to test the alternative medicine on Covid patients to see how successful Lao herbal remedies are when used in conjunction with other treatments.

Due to the hurricane month, which brings high rainfall, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has issued a warning that devastating floods are predicted in Phnom Penh and six provinces this week. The provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Kandal, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, and Kampong Speu have been placed on flood alert. The worst-affected area is Banteay Meanchey, which has reported floodwaters of up to three meters, and authorities are still unsure of the flood's strength and scope, which will disturb people's lives, properties, and crops. The southwest monsoon, which has impacted many regions of the Kingdom, particularly the coastal and low-lying areas, is blamed by authorities for the constant rain and flooding. Despite the fact that floodwaters have flooded three districts in the province, no residents have been evacuated from their houses. Lay Sothy, deputy director of the Banteay Meanchey Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, stated that if the water level increases to four meters, residents whose homes are adversely impacted will be forced to evacuate. He also stated that the water levels in the Malai and Poipet districts have decreased, although Mongkul Borei was submerged in three metres of water yesterday. The worst-affected district in Kandal province is Stung near Stung Prek Tnaot, which is prone to flash floods, according to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM). Residents there have learnt to adapt to the flood condition. When contacted, NCDM officials stated that they are prepared for any eventuality, but that the situation is now controllable and under control due to the low river water level. According to NCDM vice-president Nhek Ban Kheng of Kampong Thom province, floodwaters have already hit five districts, with the water level rising in floods in the Stung Sen River, which are being actively watched. Khut Usaphea, the Permanent Secretary of NCDM in Pursat province, said that they have dealt with flash floods in the districts of Veal Veng, Kandieng, Pursat, and Phnom Kravanh and are prepared to deal with them again if they arise, especially if they come from the mountains. The flood has yet to impact Kampong Chhnang province, according to NCDM vice-president Am Sophea, because the Tonle Sap Lake serves as a water catchment area. “If the lake level rises and overflows, we will be severely harmed. If it happens, we'll be ready to deal with it,” he continued. Cheap Horm, director of the Kampong Speu Provincial Water Resources and Meteorology Department, warned that if the rain continues, the Baset region will suffer because the local reservoir is full and many people live along the river.

With Phnom Penh becoming Southeast Asia's most vaccinated city, the Ministry of Tourism and other related sub committees are working to develop a workable plan within Cambodia's tourism and investment sectors, with the goal of reopening borders to fully vaccinated international travelers by November this year. Cambodia's tourism ministry recently declared that fully vaccinated overseas tourists with proof of vaccination could enter Cambodia as early as November 2021. To make travel easier, Cambodia is considering reducing or eliminating the 14-day quarantine policy for fully vaccinated tourists, with the exception of certification demonstrating a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to travel and another negative COVID test upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport. Cambodia is currently the second most vaccinated country in Southeast Asia, after Singapore, with over 70% of the country's 16.5 million inhabitants having been vaccinated, with citizens in the capital Phnom Penh having already received third booster doses. By the end of September, the country expects to have achieved herd immunity, with 75 percent of the population having received two doses of the vaccine. Beginning in August, the Cambodian government began immunizing children above the age of 12. Cambodia closed its borders to travelers in April 2020 in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. Last year, there were no deaths and only about 400 cases, most of which were imported and intercepted at the border. However, in February of this year, coronavirus began to spread across the country, prompting a two-month nationwide lockdown. Cambodia was released from martial law in June, and since then, efforts have been made to vaccinate the populace through the country's mass vaccination program.

As part of preparations for a new cultural attraction, a large Buddha image will be built at the That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone (SEZ). According to the developer, authorities have held conversations with the project owner about the construction of the Buddha image, which will begin soon. Dr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun, Laos' Deputy Prime Minister, paid a visit to the project office and met with the developers last week to learn more about the project. He claims that the Buddha image creation project is intended to promote Laos' culture and history. Dr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun stated, "The gigantic Buddha picture would boost Buddhism in the era of globalization while also encouraging economic development in the SEZ." Dr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun remarked, "The project will provide a complete history of Lao culture to eliminate any complications that may arise following construction." The 100-meter-high Buddha figure will be built at the That Luang Marsh SEZ by Wan Feng Shanghai Real Estate Company, a Chinese developer. The That Luang Marsh Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has a total area of 365 hectares and was established in 2012. This program is being used by the government as a model for SEZ growth in Laos, with the goal of attracting more international investment. Residential sections, public parks and green spaces, a lake, a hospital, an education center, restaurants, a sporting complex, and a commercial center will all be included once the project is completed.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced that schools will reopen online across the country beginning today. Schools for general education across the country, including Vientiane Capital, will begin to open online on September 6, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Schools will open for in-person learning in provinces where Covid-19 has not yet spread to the community. According to the notification, four colleges from around Laos participated in the school's opening via Zoom over the internet. Teachers and workers of general education institutions, as well as students, can watch the "Edu-Sport TV online" channel on Facebook and on the ESTV's LaoSAT channel. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao Prime Minister Dr. Phankham Viphavanh argues that teachers must invest more time to training and research instructional approaches that are fit for the current situation. Parents, he believes, should encourage their children to study online at home and support them in school. Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh has urged Laos' education and sports officials to take on more responsibilities and improve the educational system in order to increase the country's human resource development. Despite the fact that schools in Vientiane Capital were supposed to start earlier, the Vientiane Capital Education and Sports Department issued a notice last month extending the closure of schools owing to fears of Covid-19 spreading throughout the capital.

Authorities apprehended a mentally unstable woman who claimed to be PM Hun Sen's child yesterday and transported her to a Phnom Penh hospital for treatment. The woman, who lives in Sangkat Orussey 3, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, claimed she was the PM's child on Facebook using the nickname "Ah July." On the 5th of August, she was caught and sent to the Phnom Penh Referral Hospital for treatment. On social media, ‘Ah July' had a long history of claiming to be a relative of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister had responded to the comments on social media, dismissing ‘Ah July's' statements and ordering her to cease. “To minimize public confusion about what you have claimed numerous times, it appears that you are the daughter of an uncle and aunt who have been abandoned outside,” the PM remarked. Uncle, please encourage your nephew to quit cheating as uncles and aunts, because abandoning one's offspring is extremely immoral.” “When you come in, you always use the word that generates more mistakes,” the PM continued. The cops have been hunting for you for a long time if you don't realize you have a mental illness.” The PM then asked for the owner of the Facebook account's phone number in order to help them with their mental ailment, saying: “Your uncle and aunt can assist you in treating your mental illness; ask you to offer your uncle your phone number or come out and explain who you are through this poetry. And where do you call home?”

Following the Ministry of Education's declaration on August 31 that schools in low-risk locations would reopen, at least two provincial departments of education and district authorities in the capital are preparing for students to enter the schools for in-person classes. Authorities in each district of Phnom Penh began cleaning up public schools in preparation for the reopening of schools, following the directives of Governor Khoung Sreng. The Boeung Keng Kang District Authority, led by District Governor Them Sam An, and inhabitants of the district, students, and instructors cleaned the Chea Sim Boeung Keng Kang High School campus in Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang, Khan Boeung Keng Kang, on September 4th. According to Governor Sam An, the school's cleaning now includes the use of disinfectant in classrooms and the surrounding regions. District authorities in Chbar Ampov have completed the cleaning of Chbar Ampov High School and are only waiting for disinfectant to be sprayed. Chamkarmon's authorities are also cleaning and sterilizing the high school.

As a result of Covid-19, a man in Salavanh Province has become the country's fifteenth death. On August 14, the 45-year-old from Namek Village in Salavanh Province's Khongsedon District returned to Laos after working in Thailand. He was sent to a state quarantine center in Salavanh, where he tested negative for Covid-19 for the first time. The man was obese, but physicians weren't sure if he had any other underlying issues. On the morning of September 3rd, he died, and a second test revealed that he had Covid-19. According to local customs, the man was cremated at a Buddhist temple in Salavanh.

The freshly refurbished Poipet International Border Gate facility was handed over to provincial authorities yesterday by the Ministry of Interior. The Poipet International Border Gate Office, which is 8,618 square meters in size, has a 35.50-meter-wide entrance-exit building and a 56.39-meter-wide entrance-exit structure. There are three concrete floors with brick walls. The former office was cramped, therefore it was refurbished to be more roomy and comfortable for Thai visitors.

The Immigration Department is currently working on standards and processes for deporting foreign nationals. Top officials and other relevant stakeholders met at the Immigration Department on Wednesday to discuss the draft. General Kirth Chantharith, director-general of the Immigration Department, said the draft rules were discussed in depth, taking into account the foreigners who arrive in Cambodia from all over the world. The new standards and procedures are aimed at improving the management of foreigners and immigrants in the country while also considering humanitarian issues and bilateral interactions with their home countries. When the standards and processes go into effect, Gen Chantharith said they will be used universally across the country when dealing with and managing foreigners, including foreign migrants and workers. “It is also for the armed forces, particularly the police, to utilize them as a standard guideline when dealing with immigrants when they are relocating them,” he added, adding that it will be used as a manual by all law enforcement officers when dealing with foreigners. Meanwhile, in June, Cambodia deported 106 Vietnamese nationals who had entered the country illegally, primarily in search of work and a place to call home. 88 of them were deported to Vietnam via the Bavet International Border Checkpoint in Svay Rieng province, while another 18 were deported via the Prek Chak International Border Checkpoint in Kampot. They were deported with the help of the National Police and approval from the Director-General of Immigration. Representatives from the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh were also on hand to guarantee that their countrymen were safely deported. 284 individuals of 22 nationalities were deported to their home countries in the first five months of this year after being determined to have broken the Cambodian Immigration Law. Last year, 797 visitors from 40 nations, including 121 women, were deported. General Keo Vanthan, spokesman for the Immigration Department, told the Khmer Times that despite rigorous immigration rules, foreigners continue to enter the country illegally through border checkpoint crossings. He claimed that since the Covid-19 epidemic, border police and the army have increased border checks, and that anyone caught crossing illegally is deported back to their home country. According to Am Sam Ath, deputy head of the Licadho Human Rights Commission, a person who enters the nation unlawfully has broken the Immigration Law or the Criminal Code. A total of 18,470 foreigners representing 104 nations have been deported since 2014.

The China Southern Power Grid Company has finished installing electricity transmission poles along the Laos-China Railway, which will be a green, low-carbon electrified railway, according to the company. The Laos-China railway's external power grid project is now complete and ready to deliver electricity to the railway, which is set to open in early December this year. According to KPL, the project contains 2,220 transmission poles with a total length of 936 kilometers and connections to 24 traction substations. The China Southern Electricity System (CSG) and Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDLT), a joint venture founded last year to operate Laos' power grid, worked together on the project. The Laos-China Railway is a symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Chinese experts, and a vital component in Laos' transformation from a landlocked to a land-linked country. “We will cooperate with Electricite du Laos (EDL) to build trust in the provision of electricity to the Laos-China Railway, and we will engage with all sectors to ensure prosperous development,” stated Ms. Yang Yonghui, Chair of the Board of Directors of Lao-China Electric Power Investment Co., Ltd. “The mountains and rivers of Laos and the mountains and rivers of China are the heritage of both nations, so we have built this railway to be a green, low-carbon railway that will become a path for development this century that will bring many positive developments,” Mr. Huang Wun Kang, Director of Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited, said of the completed project. Meanwhile, Zhong Xiaotao, Director-General of the China Southern Power Grid Company (CSG), claims that the Laos-China Railway will be a green and low-carbon electrified railway that will help the country develop in a variety of ways. According to him, the significance lies in environmental and ecological protection by using the same building standards and cutting-edge technology used in China to reduce environmental risks, while the electricity transmission pole project has helped train local people in grid operation and management in order to create jobs and ensure power supply. Early last year, Laos and China started the country's first build-operate-transfer power grid project for the Laos-China railway. The project contains 20 circuits of 115kV transmission lines running along the China-Laos railway across five provincial administrative areas in northern Laos. The Laos-China Railway will be 426 kilometers long, with 198 kilometers of tunnels and 62 kilometers of bridges. It will travel from the Boten border gate, which connects Northern Laos to China, to Vientiane Capital, at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, and is nearly complete.

As community spread raises concerns, the government has prolonged Covid-19 limitations and preventative measures for another 15 days, with some harsher measures currently in place. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister's Office issued a notification extending Covid-19 restrictions at the national level, forbidding meetings, conferences, and conventional activities for groups of more than 20 individuals. Massage parlors, beauty salons, night markets, food gardens, and tourism sites in locations where Covid-19 has spread throughout the community must remain closed, according to the government's notice. Residents of Vientiane Capital were confused when stricter restrictions were imposed on the same day in the nation's capital. The Covid Taskforce, which usually broadcasts new laws on its Facebook channel, Center of Information and Education for Health, made no comment yesterday. Meanwhile, entertainment venues, movies, spas, karaoke bars, pubs, internet cafes, snooker halls, and casinos must remain closed, according to a fresh notification from the Prime Minister's Office. Massage parlors, spas, night markets, food gardens, and tourist attractions must all close. Indoor and outdoor fitness centers, as well as stadiums, must close, and public outdoor activity is prohibited. At all times, parties and private meetings of any kind are absolutely prohibited. The notice will be in effect from Tuesday to September 15th.

After a gunshot incident at a hotel in Sihanoukville, a Chinese national was apprehended. A man was claimed to have fired two bullets from a pistol at the glass door of the Tsinghua Yinghui Hotel, Sangkat 4, Sihanoukville, on August 27, 2021 at 05:30 AM, shattering the glass. In Village 6, Sangkat 4, Preah Sihanouk Province, Sihanoukville police detained two individuals this morning. According to police sources, one of the suspects is Gu San Qiang, a Chinese money changer who is 36 years old. A black Sig Sauer P365 pistol was also seized by police. The two accused have been sent to the Sihanoukville Provincial Court to face charges.

Companies and people involved in e-commerce in Cambodia must now apply for the necessary licences and licenses, or face fines if they do not. Prakas 315 and 316, which define taxes and penalties related with e-commerce licenses and permits, were jointly announced by Cambodia's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Economy and Finance on May 12, 2021. Both Prakas 315 and 316 went into effect on May 26, 2021. The two prakas follow the November 2, 2019 promulgation of the Law on Electronic Commerce, often known as the e-Ecommerce Law. These laws and regulations are part of a new framework governing e-commerce in Cambodia, which is expected to be worth $222 million in 2021, according to data provider Statista. To avoid penalties and take advantage of the sector's strong growth trajectory, foreign investors operating in e-commerce and other electronic transactions in Cambodia must comply with the new standards. Who needs e-commerce permits and licenses? The e-Commerce Law is a broad piece of legislation that governs both domestic and international electronic transactions. The law applies to all business and civil transactions conducted electronically, in addition to normal retail e-commerce. In addition to the requirements outlined in the e-Commerce Law, Cambodian authorities issued Sub-Decree 134 on August 27, 2020, and Prakas 290 on October 9, 2020, which provided more information on licenses and permits. The e-Commerce Law and related rules, among other things, require individuals, sole proprietorships, legal entities, and foreign company branch offices conducting e-commerce in Cambodia to obtain the necessary licences and licenses. This includes both Cambodian businesses using e-commerce to sell internationally and foreign businesses selling to Cambodia. E-commerce licenses and permissions are divided into two categories: one for individuals and single proprietorships, and another for legal entities and branch offices. Some company activities are exempt from licenses and permits under the legislation, but they must nevertheless disclose their actions to the Ministry of Commerce, which oversees the permitting and licensing process. How much do e-commerce permissions and licenses cost? The fees for obtaining a permission or license, as defined in Prakas 315, vary depending on whether the applicant is an individual, a single proprietorship, a legal person, or a branch office of a foreign corporation. Individuals must pay 200,000 riel ($50) for an e-commerce permit, sole proprietors 400,000 riel ($100), and legal entities and branch offices 1,000,000 riel ($245). Individuals and sole proprietors' permits are valid for two years, whereas legal entities and branch offices' licenses are valid for three years. Fees-for-e-Commerce-Permits-and-Licenses-in-Cambodia Fines of up to 10,000,000 riel ($2,450) are imposed on entities that engage in e-commerce activities without first obtaining the necessary licence or license. Fines for e-commerce-related offences are set down in Prakas 316 as follows: Prakas 316 contains fines for additional business and commercial infractions, such as late re-registration of trademarks, brands, and other intellectual property, in addition to e-commerce registration fines. In recent years, the Cambodian government has stressed the relevance of e-commerce to the country's development. The Cambodian government released the e-Commerce Strategy in November 2020, a 10-chapter document outlining the country's plans to expand, integrate, and regulate the sector. Integrating Cambodia's small and medium-sized businesses with e-commerce value chains is a significant aspect in the strategy document's development of the country's digital economy. Since the e-Commerce Law was passed in late 2019, the Cambodian government has released a number of policies and regulations, including the e-Commerce Strategy. Sub-decree 65, which changed how Cambodian authorities execute value-added tax for e-commerce transactions, was another significant shift. Given the multiple changes to Cambodia's e-commerce scene, international investors would be wise to establish updated plans for harnessing new growth prospects given by the sector's expansion, rather than simply complying with new regulations. Briefing on Asean

Over a thousand people with drug addiction will receive Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines from Vientiane Capital Authority. According to Vientiane Capital Public Security, authorities began distributing doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) Covid-19 vaccination to drug addicts on Monday. The immunizations were administered at the Somsanga Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Vientiane Capital. Lieutenant Colonel Siphay Xaysouliyavongsa, the center's commander, says the Johnson & Johnson immunizations for drug addicts are aimed at preventing and controlling the virus's spread at the facility. Lieutenant Colonel Siphay stated, "Authorities are closely implementing Covid-19 prevention and control procedures for both personnel and those undergoing rehabilitation." Wearing a facemask, washing hands with sanitizer or soap, and checking their temperature on a regular basis are all requirements that must be followed. During this time, residents of the center are not permitted to visit with their families. After two convicts at a prison in Savannakhet died of Covid-19, authorities are concerned about its spread among drug rehabilitation institutions, prisons, and detention centers.

This week, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in certain parts of the country, causing flooding and landslides. Residents in central and southern districts, including Vientiane Capital, were warned yesterday by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology of heavy rains and storms. The southwest monsoon would strengthen, bringing rain, thunderstorms, and strong gusts to portions of the country, according to the warning. From September 2 to 5, rain and storms are expected in several parts of Laos, according to the report. The Xedon, Xebanghieng, and Xekong rivers, among others, have marginally increased in the southern provinces. Temperatures will range from 21 to 34 degrees Celsius in the central and western provinces, while temperatures in the southern regions will drop to 34 degrees. On the 4th and 5th of September, Vientiane Capital will have lows of 24 degrees and highs of up to 33 degrees, as well as heavy rain and storms. Meanwhile, authorities across the country have cautioned residents to be wary of harsh weather and to plan to relocate their family and belongings in the event of a flood or landslide.

The Ministry of Health is developing an exit strategy to remove Covid-19 restrictions even more and prepare the country for individuals to resume their normal lifestyles. Or Vandine, a ministry spokeswoman, said Tuesday that the strategy included admitting that Covid-19 is here to stay and that it is time to "learn to live with it." “Learn to live with it, cope with it, face it, and overcome setbacks by following the government's preventive guidelines,” she told Khmer Times. People are willingly joining hands with the government to battle the pandemic, and the situation with Covid-19 is improving day by day.” “The Covid-19 virus, whether it's Alpha, Delta, or other forms, is still the Covid-19 virus. People will still become infected or die as a result of the virus, no matter how many times it reshapes itself. Don't think of the variants as a danger. Simply follow the Ministry of Health's and government's preventative guidelines to the letter, and think positively,” she added. In an effort to return to normalcy, Cambodia, like Singapore, is vaccinating practically all of its eligible population against Covid-19. Singapore's Health Minister, Ong Ye Kung, announced on his Facebook page on Sunday that 80 percent of the country's 5.7 million people have received two vaccinations. “We have reached another milestone,” he said, “where 80 percent of our population has got their complete two-dose regimen.” “It indicates we've taken another step toward making ourselves more resilient to Covid-19,” Ong explained. Both countries are working hard to surpass the herd immunity threshold in the hopes of gaining population immunity to these lethal virus and variations and transitioning from herd immunity to normalcy. According to Vandine, the vaccination campaign's momentum has never halted, with everyone doing their part to ensure that as many individuals as possible in the Kingdom are properly vaccinated. “The 91.75 percent vaccination rate is an achievement, thanks to Prime Minister Hun Sen, government heads, municipal and provincial governors, officials and relevant authorities, medical professionals, and, most significantly, the people themselves who participated and supported the vaccination drive,” she continued. She claimed that the Prime Minister has gone to great lengths to ensure that enough vaccine doses are available to achieve herd immunity. “Cambodia can return to normalcy if the majority of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, strictly follows the three dos and three don'ts, and takes all necessary precautions to avoid contracting the terrible disease,” Vandine added. Dr Li Ailan, the World Health Organization's Representative in Cambodia, told Khmer Times yesterday that the overall Covid-19 situation in Cambodia is presently improving, with decreasing trends in cases and deaths. “While there are some similar Covid-19 response tactics, every country, whether Cambodia or Singapore, has its own unique country situation. “What makes a difference is a good combination of effective public health and social initiatives, as well as vaccination,” she explained. “In Cambodia, we can already witness the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccinations and vaccination. Covid-19 causes less deaths, especially among those who are fully immunized. She went on to say that it is still effective against serious sickness and death, even the Delta variety. “After more than five months of active reaction, this is really promising good news for Cambodia. It's the consequence of a combination of factors, including more effective execution of public health and social policies, as well as the good effects of Cambodia's remarkable Covid-19 vaccine deployment, according to Dr. Ailan. She was, however, saddened by the fact that frontline health professionals were infected with Covid-19 and died as a result of it. “It breaks my heart that some of our health-care employees have become infected with Covid-19. Cambodia has made every effort to manage returned migrants in the Delta variety, including testing, isolation and treatment, quarantine, and the provision of critical health and other services, notably through a large number of health care personnel and other frontline responders. “We applaud and value their devotion and hard work,” she said.