Keat Chhon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keat Chhon
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| គាត ឈន់ | |
Chhon in 2013
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| Minister of Economy and Finance | |
| In office 24 October 1994 – 23 September 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Norodom Ranariddh Ung Huot Hun Sen |
| Preceded by | Sam Rainsy |
| Succeeded by | Aun Pornmoniroth |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia | |
| In office 25 September 2008 – 4 April 2016 |
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| Monarch | Norodom Sihamoni |
| Prime Minister | Hun Sen |
| Member of Parliament for Phnom Penh |
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| In office 25 November 1998 – 29 July 2018 |
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| Member of Parliament for Kampong Cham |
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| In office 14 June 1993 – 26 July 1998 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 August 1934 Chhloung, Kratié, Cambodia, French Indochina |
| Political party | Cambodian People's Party |
| Spouse | Lay Neari |
| Education | Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires |
Keat Chhon (Khmer: គាត ឈន់; born 11 August 1934) is a Cambodian politician. He was a key member of the Cambodian People's Party. He served as the Minister for Economy and Finance from 1994 to 2013. He was also a Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Chhon was elected to represent Phnom Penh in the National Assembly of Cambodia in 2003. He retired from all public roles by 2018.
Keat Chhon is known as one of the most experienced technical experts in the Cambodian government. He helped manage the country's budget for many years. He is one of the few leaders who served in the current Cambodian government after working during the Khmer Rouge period.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Cambodia
Keat Chhon was born in a village called Chhlong. This village is in the Kratié Province of Cambodia. His birthday is on August 11, 1934. When he was about 13 or 14, he went to Sihanouk College. This college was located in Kampong Cham. In 1951, he moved to Phnom Penh. There, he attended Lycee Sisowath. This was one of the best high schools in Cambodia.
Studying in France
In 1954, Keat Chhon received a scholarship. This allowed him to go to France for his studies. He studied very hard and earned two diplomas in 1958. One was in marine engineering. The other was in mathematics and physics. In 1960, he earned a special diploma. It was in atomic engineering. He got this from the Saclay Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology in France. While at university, he met Lay Neari. She was also Cambodian. They got married. In 1961, they returned to Cambodia with their first child.
Early Career in Cambodia
As a young engineer, Keat Chhon helped build important projects. He worked on the railroad tracks. These tracks connected Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. He also helped build the Olympic Stadium. He worked with a famous Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvnann.
Political Career
Minister of Industry
Under Prince Norodom Sihanouk's government, Keat Chhon became the Minister of Industry. Until 1962, Cambodia's industry grew well. However, after 1964, the economy faced problems. This was due to increasing violence. Also, construction slowed down. This happened after Sihanouk refused aid from the United States. In 1964, Chhon became the head of Kampong Cham University. This was the first university outside Phnom Penh. In 1967, he was named Secretary of State.
Working During a Difficult Period
In March 1970, Prince Sihanouk was removed from power. Keat Chhon went to Beijing with him. He worked with the Cambodian resistance. This group was fighting against the US-backed government. In 1973, Chhon traveled with Prince Sihanouk. They visited Hanoi and parts of Cambodia. In March 1975, Chhon returned to Cambodia. He went with other Cambodian leaders.
During the Khmer Rouge period, he worked in the Foreign Ministry. He was an assistant to Prince Sihanouk. He also traveled with Sihanouk on official visits. For example, he went to the United Nations secretary-general in October 1975.
Time in Exile
After the Khmer Rouge period, Keat Chhon went to Beijing again. Later, he had his first meeting with Hun Sen in 1979. Hun Sen later became Prime Minister. Chhon then became a refugee in France in 1983. He worked for an engineering company there. In 1988, he started working for the United Nations. He worked on an economic development project in Zaire. He stayed there until 1992.
Minister of Economy and Finance
Reopening Cambodia's Economy
Keat Chhon returned to Cambodia in 1992. He joined the Cambodian People's Party. In 1993, he became an adviser to the government. He was in charge of development. In this role, he helped Cambodia connect with the world economy. He encouraged a new law on investment in 1994. This law offered good benefits to investors. He also worked to stop corruption in his ministry. He helped Cambodia join ASEAN. This helped integrate Cambodia's economy into the region. In November 1994, he became the Minister of Economy and Finance. He held this important job until 2004.
Managing the National Budget
In 1996, there were some tensions. Second Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Keat Chhon of problems with import inspections. This caused losses for businesses. Despite this, Chhon continued his work. In December 1996, Cambodia's national budget was still recovering. There were problems with corruption. As minister, Keat Chhon had to reduce money for education. This was a difficult decision.
In July 1998, Keat Chhon was in Paris. He was meeting with aid donors for Cambodia. He was assuring them about the elections. While there, he learned about violence in Cambodia. This caused delays in Cambodia joining ASEAN.
Facing Challenges in a Growing Economy
From 2004 to 2008, Keat Chhon was Senior Minister. He was still Minister of Economy and Finance. From 2008, he became Deputy Prime Minister. During this time, Cambodia's economy grew. However, there were also challenges. There were many land disputes. The government also needed to reduce waste. Keat Chhon worked to make government spending more open. The government also increased social welfare programs. This was to help poor people. In September 2011, Keat Chhon opened the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX). This was an important step for Cambodia's economy.
Retirement
Keat Chhon retired in March 2016. He retired due to his age. Two other long-serving ministers also retired at the same time.
Family Life
Keat Chhon is married to Lay Neari. They have two children together.
Achievements
Reforming Banking in Cambodia
From 1996 to 2002, Keat Chhon led big changes in Cambodia's banking system. He wanted to make the banks stronger. Many banks that were operating in 1996 had to close. This was to create a more stable banking system. He believed these changes would help people trust banks more. It would also encourage people to save money.
Handling the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis
Cambodia's economy was affected by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Keat Chhon worked hard to help the country recover. He worked with international groups like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He helped Cambodia get aid. This was important to prevent high prices and money problems. The international community recognized the 1998 Cambodian general election. This helped Cambodia's government gain more trust from other countries.
Promoting English Language
Keat Chhon encouraged the use of English in government. He believed that staff needed to know several foreign languages. He said English should be the top priority. This was important for Cambodia to connect with the world.
Moving to a Free-Market Economy
Keat Chhon helped Cambodia change its economy. It moved from a centralized communist system to a free-market economy. This was a big and important change. He believed in the rule of law. He thought it was important for economic growth.
Honors and Awards
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2017)- Honorary Doctorate in Development Economics from the University of Cambodia (2005)
- Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, Charles Sturt University (2003)
