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Prime Minister Hun Sen and former opposition leader Kem Sokha meet at the funeral of Hun Neng in Kampong Cham province on May 8, 2022. (Kem Sokha’s Facebook page)

Briefs: EU Puts Full EBA Withdrawal on Table, Kem Sokha Meets Hun Sen

The European Union Parliament last Thursday condemned the political persecution faced by Cambodian opposition parties ahead of elections in June and 2023, even suggesting the possibility of a full EBA suspension if the balloting was not free and fair. Former CNRP president Kem Sokha paid his respects to Prime Minister Hun Sen at the funeral of the latter’s brother, Hun Neng.

Prime Minister Hun Sen (center) observes fish and frog ponds at the Freshwater Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Prey Veng province in a photo posted to Hun Sen’s Facebook page on July 14, 2020.

Covid-19 to Help Boost Cambodia’s Agricultural Sector, Hun Sen Says

Prime Minister Hun Sen has touted Cambodia’s “strong” agricultural sector as a solution to economic pressures during the global pandemic, though some observers doubt agriculture could make up for garment sector losses due to Covid-19 and the pending withdrawal of some E.U. trade perks.

A garment factory worker in Cambodia (ILO)

Garment Industry, Union Seek Help as Exports Slide Amid Covid-19

With sinking exports and suspended production lines, the garment industry and a labor union continued appeals for help from the government and others this week, respectively renewing calls for a delayed partial withdrawal of trade benefits and quicker processing of worker payouts.

Garment factory workers in Cambodia (ILO)

As Workers Block Road, Industry Groups Ask EU to Delay EBA Pullout

Local industry groups have asked the E.U. to postpone the partial withdrawal of Cambodia’s tariff-free access to the European bloc for a year to allow the garment sector time to recover from the ongoing pandemic-spurred economic crisis.

Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on February 24, 2020, in this photograph posted to his Facebook page.

Hun Sen Outlines Plans to Shore Up Economy Amid Virus, EBA Risks

Amid economic risks from the global coronavirus outbreak and the E.U.’s partial suspension of duty-free trade benefits, Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday laid out measures aimed at shoring up the nation’s key tourism and garment sectors.

Prime Minister Hun Sen gives a speech on February 14, 2020, at the Sihanoukville port, where the Holland America Line's Westerdam cruise ship was docked. (Panha Chorpoan/VOD)

After EBA Loss, Hun Sen Welcomes Cruise, Touts Human Rights Respect

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday linked his decision to let a luxury cruise ship dock in Cambodia, after it had been turned away by other nations due to coronavirus fears, with the nation’s commitment to human rights, just days after the E.U. withdrew trade benefits over rights violations.