Living in Phnom Penh My Living in the Cambodian Capital as Political Atheist.

The government of Cambodia has announced that it is planning to import and refine oil from Iran in clear defiance of recent US sanctions on Iranian oil imports.

Cambodia will not take into account the foreign policies of other countries toward Iran when considering investment in the Kingdom. Cambodia will not discriminate where its FDI [foreign direct investment] comes from.

Cambodia is planning to refine crude oil that it imports from Iran at a local refinery whose construction will begin within a few months, and then sell refined products to China and South Korea starting in 2014.

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-REFINERY-ASSIGNMENT

Refinery in early planning status.

Construction of Cambodia’s first oil refinery, located on 365 hectares in Sihanoukville and Kampot provinces and financed totally by chinese companies, might begin in April and could be finished in 2014.

So the earliest possible date of importing Iranian crude oil to Cambodia could be 3 – 4 years from now!

Tehran and Phnom Penh signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on oil and gas projects last year.

Reacting to the announcement, a spokesman for the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said members of the United Nations shouldn’t ignore US policy toward Iran.

P.S.

• Cambodia is lobbying for its bid to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Cambodia is pushing for a seat on the council for 2013 and 2014; voting will be held later this year.
• And Cambodia is said to be supported by more than 100 UN states!
• What a excellent and exemplary future member of UN Security Council!

Sources:

• http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223984.html
• http://www.cbre.com.kh/2011/12/cambodias-oil-refinery/
• http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011120553135/Business/oil-refinery-to-be-built.html
• http://businessnewscambodia.com/2011/12/oil-refinery-to-be-built/

Related articles

• Cambodia: a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council? (alfredmeier.me)