Lawmakers in Cambodia have endorsed the establishment of a new ministry that will specifically take charge of the mines and energy sectors. The new Ministry of Mines and Energy will be split from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy; the latter will now become the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft. The new ministry will be in charge of the oil and gas sector in the country; production is expected to get under way in a few years. Thus far, Cambodia has granted oil and gas exploration licences to several foreign companies including US energy giant Chevron Corporation, Japan’s Mitsui Oil Exploration Co, PTT Exploration and Production Plc, Singapore Petroleum Company, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.
