S'pore offers help to develop Cambodian tourist industry
S'pore offers help to develop Cambodian tourist industry
PHNOM PENH (AFP): Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Tuesday held talks with Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen during which he offered the island state's help in developing a "tourism master plan," Cambodian officials said.
Goh and his entourage flew in from the northern town of Siem Reap where he arrived Sunday and has been touring Cambodia's main tourism draw card -- the ancient temples of the Kingdom of Angkor.
Cambodian government spokesman Penn Thol said Goh offered technical assistance in developing a "tourism master plan" during the meeting and to help upgrade human resources.
"Mr Goh was thinking of ways to help improve Cambodia's infrastructure and economy. About industry, Mr Goh said Cambodia cannot compete with big countries, but he saw the potential for Cambodia as tourism," the spokesman said.
"He said the government should develop a master plan on tourism. In this sense, he said Singapore can help provide experts to prepare a master plan."
He said Goh also offered aid in developing human resources, especially English-language training.
The spokesman said Hun Sen "accepted the ideas."
Annual visitor arrivals in Cambodia have grown in double digits since the end of the country's civil war in 1998.
The spokesman made no mention of financial aid.
On arrival at the airport earlier in the day Goh said the main aim of his visit was to "foster relationships and see how we can help Cambodia to develop."
Hun Sen, who greeted Goh at the airport, said the visit was an important step in building closer ties between one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) richest members and its poorer cousin.
The visit is the first by a Singapore leader since 1997 factional fighting which saw Hun Sen oust his then co-premier Prince Ranariddh.
The events of 1997 strained relations between Cambodia and the international community, including some Asian neighbors.
Those relations have begun to mend since the 1998 elections and after Phnom Penh joined ASEAN the next year.
The Singaporean delegation is scheduled to depart Thursday.