Celebration ends a year of success and growth at Cambodia’s leading special economic zone with huge event 

Phnom Penh, 2^nd April 2018 - Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (Phnom Penh SEZ) celebrated Khmer New Year in style – with the 2018 edition of the annual event  held under the name of “SANGKRANTA PPSEZ IDOL 2018” to celebrate Khmer New Year and to give a chance for workers in Phnom Penh SEZ to show their talented performance attracting more than 27,000 people on Saturday night, March 31, 2018.  The celebration was attended by a range of distinguished guests such as the Minister of Women’s Affair, H.E. Dr. Ing Kuntha Phavi; Secretary of State of Ministry of Labor and Vocational training, H.E. Seung Sor Socheta representative of H.E Dr. Ith Samheng, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and Chairman of Phnom Penh SEZ Administration, H.E. Chea Vuthy, Ambassador of US Embassy, Ambassador of Thai Embassy, Ambassador of Indonesia Embassy, and Representative of Ambassador of Japanese Embassy in Cambodia and members of the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA).

Lok Chumteav Oknha Lim Chhiv Ho, Chairwoman of Phnom Penh SEZ Plc. congratulated and gave the prize to the winners. She said: “we have celebrated this spectacular event every year since 2014, and this is the 5^th time already which has been very successful and was enjoyed by the public, especially from all the employees working here. This event is hosted in order to celebrate the Khmer New Year, as well as the International Labor Day on 1^st of May, 2018. Lok Chumteav added that “Sankranta PPSEZ IDOL 2018 is to encourage and to look for talents in the performing arts and showing their general knowledge from within the workforce of Phnom Penh SEZ. Despite being young factory workers, your participation in this event is a special moment proving that you have the courage, capabilities and talents to showcase to the audience.”

H.E Seung Sorsocheta said that “This is the 5th time that Phnom Penh SEZ Plc. has hosted this event, and this time, it is much more publicized as there are many investors attending as well, creating a lively and vibrant environment for the workers - also as part of the celebrations for the 132nd annual International Labor’s Day on 1st of May, 2018”.

H.E continued that “the workers who participated in the competition are not only pretty and skilled in arts, but are also aware of the labor laws which improve their rights and benefits in the field of labor and that this competition also pushes the workers to appreciate their jobs, loves their jobs, increase productivity, enhance their skills and improve industrial relations and respect the labor laws overall. The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training will continue to support the event in the upcoming years and hopes that increasing numbers of workers will attend the event in future”.

H.E Dr. Ing Kantha Pavi, Minister of Ministry of Women’s Affairs said at the occasion that this event encourages workers in this Special Economic Zone to exhibit their achievements and their talents. “We are able to enjoy this great event due to security and peace in the country. You are able to find jobs similar to those you have here in this Special Economic Zone due to security and peace in our country. Therefore, please continue performing well in your job in order to attract more investors to invest and create more jobs for our people in Cambodia.”, she said.

10 workers from factories located in Cambodia’s leading Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone had made it to the final round of pretty and talented contest- out of many workers who have applied as contestants. Following a thorough selection and rehearsal process led by the Phnom Penh SEZ team, the finalists presented their show with conviction and confidence as they staged a range of highly competitive performances - including singing,​ reciting, modeling, and dancing for the excited crowd.

After performing capability and talent by the 10 finalists, the judges composed of different ministries and embassies scored each and every contestant accurately. A first couple winner – SOEM Chanthol and LY Ryna took the crown of the night. 
Chanthol is a worker of Minebea (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. and Ryna is a worker of Laurelton Diamonds (Cambodia) Co., Ltd.  Other winners are second-placed couple PANG Sreytouch, a worker of Kaneju (Cambodia) Co., Ltd and SAM Sopheap of Mega Labels & Stickers (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. Third-placed are DOEUN Chantheng and YIN Phearon, a worker of Marunix (Cambodia) Co., Ltd and Kuipo (Cambodia) Co., Ltd respectively.

Safety was written big at the event with the concert area well prepared and with security, the internal fire brigade and health services standing by to ensure that the festival would take place in Phnom Penh SEZ style: professional, and safe.

What made this event most attractive were that the performance of traditional dance, contemporary dance and the presence of Cambodian top stars, Mr. Preap Sovath, Ms. Khat Sokhim and the renown comedian troupe Peakmi.​