The Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok will lead the first ever Danish business delegation to Cambodia on May 17 and 18, 2004. Danish Ambassador Ulrik Helweg-Larsen will himself be leading the delegation together with Commercial Counsellor Tine Hylleberg.
The trip will give participants first hand information on the developments, opportunities and challenges of doing business in Cambodia following recent discussions with representatives of the Cambodian business community and high-level public sector officials.
In the recent discussions the embassy has been advised to take a closer look especially at the agriculture, agro-industry, tourism and infrastructure sectors, which are considered of special interest to foreign business activity.
“Since the early 90s the governments of Cambodia have pursued a liberal and open foreign trade policy, and special efforts have been made to attract foreign investors. The business climate has improved considerably, and Cambodia of today certainly offers opportunities both to exporters, importers and potential investors in various sectors,” says Ambassador Ulrik Helweg-Larsen.
Beside the group from Thailand, Danish business people from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and India are expected to join the business delegation, which will focus on where Cambodia is going, what business opportunities arise from its movement, how WTO membership affects business opportunities, and where the road leads from there.
The tentative programme includes briefings by Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Cambodian Ministries of Finance and Commerce, as well as meetings with Mekong Private Sector Development Facility and Council for the Development of Cambodia. Networking functions will be arranged and a half-day matchmaking session will be organized for interested participants.
The meetings with relevant government bodies and private sector representatives are expected to benefit the delegates in terms of contacts, as well as getting a view on the opportunities and obstacles as seen by the insiders.
