Singaporean Ambassador to Cambodia, Teo Lay Cheng, expressed optimism about the deepening ties between Cambodia and Singapore, emphasizing their mutual commitment to strengthening partnerships based on respect, trust, and shared aspirations for prosperity.
Addressing students at Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh on July 25, as part of the ambassadorial lecture series (ALS) organized by the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS), Teo discussed the evolving relationship between the two nations. Her lecture, titled "Singapore-Cambodia Relations: Forging Partnerships", attracted over 50 students and researchers.
Teo highlighted that the two countries are collaborating on new and emerging areas such as renewable energy and carbon credits, reflecting their shared goals for sustainable development. She also pointed out that Cambodia and Singapore will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations next year, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral history.
On the trade and investment front, Teo noted that Singapore has long been a significant investor and trading partner for Cambodia. She mentioned prominent Singaporean brands operating in Cambodia, including Singapore Airlines, Phillip Bank, Oakwood, Pedro, TWG Tea, and BreadTalk, as examples of the strong economic ties between the nations.
Capacity building and technical cooperation have been central to the bilateral relationship, according to Teo. Since 1992, over 18,000 Cambodian officials have participated in training programs under the Singapore cooperation initiative. The Cambodia-Singapore Training Centre, established in 2002 and later upgraded to the Cambodia-Singapore Cooperation Centre (CSCC), has evolved to address Cambodia’s development needs. Initially focused on IT training, financial management, and trade logistics, the CSCC now offers courses in big data and analytics, entrepreneurship, start-up ecosystems, sustainable development, and urban planning.
In March this year, the CSCC launched a microsite to serve as a one-stop center for professional development and continuous learning. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore contributed significantly to Cambodia's health response by providing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine, one million surgical masks, and 200,000 bottles of hand sanitizer. Teo also noted that Singaporean missionaries frequently visit Cambodia, some establishing a presence in the Kingdom. Additionally, students from Singaporean universities and polytechnics undertake curated learning journeys in Cambodia, sharing experiences and participating in community events.
Teo recalled the embassy’s involvement in Project Grace, a housing initiative completed last year in Siem Reap province, which saw the distribution of land receipts and contracts to needy households. The project, implemented in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Singapore and Cambodia, involved an investment of approximately $6.16 million over six years.
The ambassador also highlighted the Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global program offered by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF). This program encourages youth to present innovative solutions and join a global community of changemakers. Shortlisted enterprises can secure grants to start or expand their social ventures. To date, the program has allocated over $740,000 in funding to support more than 60 social enterprises, including two Cambodian winners in 2021 who developed technology-driven solutions for transforming post-harvest fruits and nuts into wholesome snacks.
CCRS Senior Advisor Pou Sothirak described Teo’s lecture as a “rare opportunity” to gain insight into the robust relationship between Singapore and Cambodia. "Ambassador Teo is very active in promoting and enhancing bilateral relations, including in trade, investment, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges, which strengthens the bond of friendship between the two countries," Sothirak said in a press statement.
Lim Mengchhuang, a student from the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute for International Studies and Public Policy, appreciated Teo’s focus on the long-standing engagement between Singapore and Cambodia, particularly in education. "Singapore's trade and investments are crucial for Cambodia's economic development," Mengchhuang remarked in the press statement.
