Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour announced recently the opening of Israel’s first economic mission in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh.

The Government announcement noted that the economic mission in Phnom Penh will function under the charge of the Israeli economic attaché in Thailand, Tzahi Selzer.

During March, a first Israeli delegation of telecommunications companies visited the Southeastern Asian country. Some 15 companies took part in the delegation, including such high profile names as ECI, Gilat and Comverse, whose representatives met with top local Government officials.

The visit was part of an Israeli effort announced last year to expand economic and political ties with Cambodia.

According to Selzer, Cambodia is mainly interested in Israeli companies involved in irrigation technologies, agriculture, infrastructure and medical devices.

Israel was ranked the fourth largest foreign investor in Cambodia last year in terms of value of projects approved, with 2.75 percent of total investment, or US$300 million, according to Cambodian Investment Board figures.

_{(Issue June 2009)}