Philippines keen on further strengthening Cambodia ties
Philippines keen on further strengthening Cambodia ties
The Philippines considers economic ties with Cambodia a key priority, said its Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo recently even as she appreciated the Filipino community in the Kingdom for ‘going the extra mile’ for the host country.
While giving her remarks at the diplomatic reception in connection with the 126th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence and the 67th Anniversary of the Philippines-Cambodia diplomatic relations at Rosewood Phnom Penh Hotel, Mayo paid rich tributes to the growing ties between the two countries.
According to the Ambassador, the economic cooperation between the two including in areas of trade, investments, tourism, agriculture, connectivity, energy and science and technology is most noteworthy.
“These are among the thematic priorities emanating from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Prime Minister Hun Manet themselves when they met in 2023 and then again in 2024 in Jakarta and Melbourne,” Mayo said.
It may be noted that during the meeting in Melbourne, both leaders agreed to coordinate and boost rice exports from Cambodia to the Philippines and to further link both countries’ private sectors in order to increase trade opportunities.
The Ambassador said she was pleased that the Filipino companies in Cambodia have been competitive in the domestic market for pharmaceuticals, healthcare, construction and food and beverages among other sectors.
It may also be noted that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement entered into force in the Philippines on June 2, 2023, marking a new milestone for the world’s largest free trade pact being fully effective for all 15 member countries. This has further boosted trade in the region.
The Ambassador, meanwhile, also highlighted the good air connectivity between the two countries with the Philippines Airlines operating direct flights between Manila and Phnom Penh four times weekly.
Cambodia and the Philippines are also engaged in talks to resume the Cebu to Siem Reap flight which can boost tourism in both countries.
According to the Ambassador, the 4th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Cambodia and the Philippines will be held in Manila next month and it is expected to attain further progress in key areas of partnership.
Mayo noted that Filipino teachers, aviation experts, engineers and technical consultants remain closely engaged in the Kingdom’s capacity building while Cambodian scholars complete post-graduate degrees in the Philippines’ top universities.
“We remain supportive of each other’s multilateral initiatives including the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security in Manila this October,” the Ambassador added, while also noting that both countries being members of ASEAN has further boosted the ties between them.
According to Mayo, the Filipino community in Cambodia grew from around 60 highly skilled professionals in 2004 to roughly 7,000 now and that together with Filipino enterprises doing business in Cambodia, they are the unsung ambassadors of goodwill between the two countries.
The event was also graced by Cambodia’s Commerce Minister Cham Nimul and several other top officials, besides members of the diplomatic community and representatives of businesses.
