PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Tourism and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham Cambodia) have agreed to join hands in the development of the tourism sector in Cambodia.

The agreement was made in a meeting here on Feb. 12 between H.E. Sok Soken, Minister of Tourism, and Mr. Tassilo Brinzer, Chairman of EuroCham Cambodia, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.

In the meeting, the Cambodian tourism minister laid stress on the commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia to strengthening public-private partnerships aiming to provide support and ensure development in all aspects, especially the tourism sector.

H.E. Sok Soken shared the ministry's new initiative of “BUILD + 3Ds”, the key strategy to transform Cambodia into a leading and attractive tourism destination.

He also stressed the importance of reforming the role and functioning of the Cambodian Tourism Marketing and Promotion Board (CTB), which will favor extensive participation from the private sector and ensure effective public-private partnerships to jointly promote the attractiveness of Cambodia's tourism destinations.

Responding to the concern, Mr. Tassilo Brinzer briefed the H.E. Minister on the main tasks of EuroCham Cambodia in supporting the country's development by attracting companies and businessmen from European countries and around the world to invest in Cambodia's priority sectors and the tourism industry.

Both sides expressed their joint commitment to promoting close and harmonious cooperation to foster the development of the Kingdom's tourism industry into a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive tourism destination.