AmCham urges US lawmakers to reconsider possible sanctions

The American Chamber of Commerce Cambodia (AmCham Cambodia) yesterday urged American lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the United States Congress, to carefully reconsider any possible sanctions against the Kingdom.

The letter extolled on the popularity of American brands in Cambodia, and on the need for America to continue its engagements with the youth of the country in order to give them a fair chance to succeed.

AmCham Cambodia makes the case for continued engagement and partnership with the Cambodian people, particularly the youth.

“AmCham Cambodia believes this approach will yield superior long-term results, greater than any broad sweeping sanctions would be able to accomplish.

According to AmCham, American businesses are successful in the country due to the immense popularity of America among the population, saying, “They (the youth) are on an engine moving forward at amazing speed, and they have no choice but to participate with the cards they have been dealt.

It said Cambodia’s 7% growth rate was an indication of the incredible confidence in the country’s economy, adding the youth of Cambodia are overwhelmingly pro-American.

“Cambodians have a positive view of American brands and business culture, in addition to our pop culture contributions such as film and music.

“They see the responsible, respectful and competent manner in which most American businesses operate within the Kingdom as a virtue, often standing in contrast to those with lower standards of corporate governance. This is a great asset for the relationship between our two peoples, and between our governments,” it said.

While it is currently unknown how US lawmakers are likely to vote on the proposed sanctions, AmCham Cambodia said it is important to have the voice of the American business community heard in Washington.

It said American businesses set an example of strong ethics, social responsibility, environmental stewardship and employee care in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The youth of Cambodia value American brands and appreciate the opportunity to work with and learn from American firms.

“In the interests of continuing to build the long-term relationship between our peoples, we must pursue policies that will enable us to remain partners in Cambodia’s future,” Allen Dodgson Tan, chairman, AmCham Cambodia board of governors said.

Entitled ‘The Case for Continued Engagement’, the letter was sent to the United States Senate, Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, And International Cyber Security Policy and the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

The letter is signed by the nine members of the board of governors. They are Bretton G. Sciaroni, chairman emeritus; Tean Ly, co-chair; Anthony Galliano, treasurer; Ashley Irving, Secretary; and Pily Wong; Ali Copple; Matt van Roosmalen and Sophea Ros.

It is addressed to Cory Gardner, chairman; Edward J. Markey, ranking member; Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, And International Cyber Security Policy Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate and to Ted Yoho, chairman; Brad Sherman, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Committee on Foreign Affairs, United States House of Representatives.

The letter said the recent general elections in Cambodia have left many in the international community, including the government of the United States, concerned with the progress of democracy in the Kingdom.

“This document is not intended as a commentary on the political situation in Cambodia. As an organization representing over 130-member businesses, which span all major sectors of the economy, we present the perspective of many Americans and American businesses operating in the Kingdom of Cambodia within the context of continued engagement,” it said.

AmCham Cambodia said this perspective is informed through daily interactions with the people of Cambodia and ongoing business operations in the Kingdom.

The letter expanded on the youthfulness of the Cambodian demographics; 65% of which is below the age of 30, saying this is a young population that is ambitious and working to build their future in an economy with an average annual growth rate approaching 7% throughout the last decade.

On the other hand, it said the garment industry in Cambodia is the source of income for over 800,000 low income Cambodians.

The industry is continuing to help lift rural populations out of poverty and serves as one of the few employment opportunities for those who would otherwise be confined to limited seasonal agriculture.

“Any sanctions targeting this industry would harm most of those at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid. It said broad sweeping sanctions of any kind would be a gross error.

Likewise, sanctions targeting specific individuals must be well informed and carefully considered, said AmCham Cambodia.

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