|
|
Diplomatic relations between Singapore and Cambodia were established on 10
August 1965, a day after Singapore became independent, thus making Cambodia
one of the first few countries to recognise Singapore's independence. Both Singapore and Cambodia enjoy excellent bilateral relations, strengthened over the years through high-level visits between leaders of the two countries. Then-Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2002. Following that in 2003, President S R Nathan paid a State Visit where he was warmly received by King Norodom Sihanouk and the Royal Cambodian Government. In March 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid an introductory visit to Phnom Penh and called on senior Cambodian leaders, his first visit to the Kingdom after becoming Prime Minister. More recently in January 2006, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo paid an official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart, HE Hor Namhong; and His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni paid a State Visit to Singapore in March 2006 at the invitation of President S R Nathan. Such visits by the leaders deepen and strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. The expansion of trade and business contacts between Singapore and Cambodia has also been a significant factor in forging strong bilateral ties. Singaporean investments has continued to flow into Cambodia and in 2005, Singapore was the 6th largest investor. With Cambodia's accession to the World Trade Organisation and the Royal Government's continued efforts to attract foreign investments, Cambodia is increasingly becoming a more attractive location for Singapore companies looking to expand overseas. Under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), which was endorsed by ASEAN leaders at the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in Singapore in November 2000, Singapore set up training centres in each of the four newer ASEAN member countries - Hanoi, Yangon, Vientiane and Phnom Penh. The Cambodia Singapore Training Centre located in the heart of Phnom Penh was established in 2002, and has since trained close to 2,000 Cambodian officials. In November 2004, Singapore committed an additional US$17.6 million to extend the IAI technical assistance package for a further three years from 2006 to 2008. * * * * * Last updated on 26 March 2006 |