Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Prak Sokhonn on June 28 welcomed ASEAN secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn for talks aimed at propelling the bloc's economic acceleration.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Phnom Penh, centred on preparations for the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) meeting and strategies to position the bloc as a major growth hub, aligning with Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

“[They] explored ways and means to advance the ASEAN region as the epicentre of growth," read an ASEAN secretariat press statement.

Kim Hourn's June 27-28 visit to Cambodia was on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of the Maybank Silk Weaving Training Centre in Siem Reap, following an invitation from Maybank group

chairman Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.

The new centre aims to offer women the chance to acquire practical weaving skills and participate in capacity-building training, thus enhancing their life quality. The launch was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Zamzamzairani and Kim Hourn on June 27.

Kim Hourn praised Maybank Foundation's efforts to safeguard regional textile weaving traditions and empower ASEAN women by facilitating skills development and knowledge transfer.

"I look forward to similar activities to promote the ASEAN identity and advance ASEAN community building," he said.

In recognition of the occasion, Kim Hourn also participated in a plaque-signing ceremony, as noted in a press release.