Riyadh (FN), Dec. 10 – Cambodian President of the Senate, Samdech Techo Hun Sen requested Saudi Arabia to consider purchasing Cambodian rice and to encourage investment in rice processing facilities for export back to Saudi Arabia.
In response, the Speaker of the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh announced plans to soon open an embassy in Cambodia to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen held bilateral talks with Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh on 9 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The speaker of the Shura Council warmly welcomed Samdech Techo and his delegation, expressing gratitude for the visit. He shared his pleasure at the opportunity to meet Samdech Techo in person.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his gratitude to the speaker of the Shura Council for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation, particularly upon their arrival at Riyadh Airport. He noted that this visit would further enhance bilateral ties between Cambodia and Saudi Arabia, particularly in areas including people-to-people exchanges, tourism, sports, trade, and investment.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen underscored the potential for Cambodia and Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation by focusing on rice exports from Cambodia to Saudi Arabia. He continued that Cambodia's advanced irrigation systems and rice surplus position it as a reliable supplier. He urged the speaker of the Shura Council to encourage Saudi investors to establish rice mills, warehousing, and packaging facilities in Cambodia to facilitate rice exports to Saudi Arabia and other regional markets.
Samdech Techo underlined that few countries offer such promising opportunities for direct investment. While Saudi Arabia enjoys energy security, Cambodia boasts food security, making the two nations natural partners. He also noted that as both countries are monarchies, their shared governance structure provides a foundation for deepening ties of friendship.
Samdech Techo thanked the King of Saudi Arabia for supporting Cambodian Muslims, including facilitating annual Hajj pilgrimages for 20 to 100 individuals and providing scholarships to Cambodian youth.
Samdech Techo stated Cambodia's commitment to religious harmony, stating that while Buddhism is the state religion, the Muslim community is given significant attention. This is reflected in their representation in the Senate, National Assembly, Royal Government, armed forces, and sub-national levels.
On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also informed the speaker about Cambodia’s high-level Islamic council, which holds a status equivalent to that of the Supreme Patriarch, underscoring Cambodia’s role as a model for religious harmony in Southeast Asia.
Samdech Techo praised Saudi Arabia's growing prominence in the region, particularly through hosting international sports competitions, including the World Cup. He also invited the speaker of the Shura Council to visit Cambodia in the near future.
For his part, the speaker of the Shura Council acknowledged the significance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen's remarks, assuring that they would be given careful consideration. He confirmed that Saudi Arabia would soon open an embassy in Cambodia, a move that will facilitate the promotion and further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh underlined that Saudi Arabia places great importance on economic and religious development, as well as cooperation in other areas, particularly oil, which remains one of the country’s most vital sectors. He added that many nations maintain strong ties with Saudi Arabia through economic integration.
The speaker welcomed Samdech Techo's request to provide scholarships for Cambodian youth and to organise sports competitions between the two countries in Saudi Arabia. He also expressed his appreciation for collaborating with Samdech Techo.
The speaker further underlined that while the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia has a commission responsible for Cambodia, the relationship has yet to deepen. He highlighted the need for closer cooperation between the commissions of both countries in the future.
The speaker also expressed his pleasure in accepting Samdech Techo’s invitation to visit Cambodia in the near future.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
=FRESH NEWS
