The remark was made at a reception given to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung at the Cambodian Government Office on June 7, which drew the participation of provincial leaders of Kongpong Thom and other provinces, where Vietnamese rubber companies are operating.

The Deputy PM totally rejected false information provided recently by Globe Witness and Radio Free Asia (RFA), which accused Vietnamese rubber companies and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (Vietnam) of destroying the environment in Cambodia and encroaching local people’s land.

In fact, the Vietnamese businesses in general and Vietnamese rubber companies in particular have strictly complied with local law, respected local residents’ practices, and protected the environment while implementing their projects, he stressed.

They have not only created jobs for local people and contributed to Cambodia’s state budget but also participated in social works such as medical check-up and treatment, construction of schools, medical stations and other welfare facilities, Deputy PM Yim Chhay Ly added.

The Cambodian Deputy PM criticised Globe Witness for using Khmer Rouge-time images with the purpose of accusing the Vietnamese rubber companies of destroying Cambodian forests.

He also censured the organisation for falsifying witnesses who said that the Vietnamese businesses had used force to prevent local people from cultivating in their land.

The untrue information has made negative impacts on the Cambodian political environment, especially when the 5th National Assembly election is going to take place this July, and on the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, he noted.

Ambassador Dung expressed his thanks to the Cambodian Royal Government headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, ministries and agencies and localities in Cambodia, for their creation of favourable conditions for operation of Vietnamese businesses including rubber companies in the country.

He stressed that the two sides should strengthen timely exchange of information in order to deal with arising issues. This will help protect investors’ interests as well as legitimate interests of local people at project areas, he noted.

Besides, there should be correct and trustful information channels to encourage investors and prevent untrue information like what happened to the Vietnamese businesses recently, the Vietnamese diplomat said.