The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has finally been delivered the 2019 “Best New Banknote” award received for its 15,000 riel banknote by representatives from the printing company Landqart AG after a long wait due to pandemic-induced border restrictions.
Antonio Cesario Ricdo, deputy director of the Switzerland-based manufacturer of high security paper, presented the award to the NBC in Phnom Penh on April 6, according to the central bank’s governor, Chea Chanto.
Issued for circulation in 2019, the banknote commemorates the 15th anniversary of the coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni. Bearing the portrait of the King on one side, it is flanked with images of the Win-Win Monument and the King, along with the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk during the coronation of their son.
The banknote was honoured by Reconnaissance International at its 18th High Security Printing Asia (HSP Asia) Conference in Yokohama, Japan back in November 2019.
The Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit said that the 2019 decision to recognise this banknote meant it acknowledged the NBC’s “highly modern” technical production of the note, the inclusion of design which reflects the Kingdom’s cultural heritage as well as security features that render it safe from being counterfeited.
The unit emphasised that the HSP Asia Conference identifies banknotes of exceptional quality – both in appearance and technical aspects – being issued for circulation.
Founded in 1988, Reconnaissance International is a business intelligence organisation focusing on holography and authentication for document security and personal identification.
Yong Kim Eng, of the Peoples Centre for Development and Peace, said that it was important that banknotes are made of good quality, and that receiving an award for a considered design has “brought honour” to Cambodia on the international stage.
He said that the 15,000 riel banknote sets an example for other producers of Cambodian goods to follow in terms of quality and design in order to earn similar reputation and prestige.
“What’s important is our political will and the high commitment of technical experts and politicians to make anything possible. I think this will be a significant source of pride for Cambodia – to be able to achieve similar prestige in other sectors as well,” he said.
