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English-Khmer language newspaper the Mekong Times revealed July 3 2008, that a trade pact between Japan and Cambodia has finally been signed, after almost a decade of negotiation. The paper quoted a Japanese Embassy statement as saying: "Diplomatic notes on the trade pact, labelled the Agreement for the Liberation, Promotion and Protection of Investment, were exchanged between the two nations in Phnom Penh on July 1 and will come into force on July 31".

A further quote from the statement read: The agreement is expected to "improve Cambodia's investment environment and further strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries." According to the Mekong Times, Cambodia hopes the deal will bring investment from the Japanese government, adding that the Japanese president has visited Cambodia 15 times. Japan is the world's second largest economy, but lags behind the rest of Asia in terms of investment.

Foreign investment in Cambodia has been climbing since almost immediately after the murderous Khmer Rouge was ousted from power, and native Cambodians who had made their fortunes and became successful abroad began assisting their home country to regain the position it should have held within Asia and the world.

Foreign investment in Cambodia has reached incredible levels in the past few years, with global banks operating out of Canada opening up operations in Phnom Penh as well as many international hotel chains, financial organisations, investment trusts, and travel operators also investing in and setting up operations in Phnom Penh, and from 2006, throughout other areas of Cambodia.

DSR are currently marketing French Colonial Apartments in the chique riverside quarter of Phnom Penh. Because of restrictions on foreign ownership in Cambodia, the apartments are offered on a 99 year leasehold tenure, with a clause that, should the government de-restrict foreign property purchases, owners can buy their property freehold for $1. Most analysts expect de-restriction of the market sometime this year -- next year at the latest.

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