UK trade mission to boost Cambodian agricultural exports
UK trade mission to boost Cambodian agricultural exports
A delegation of leading buyers from the United Kingdom is currently in Cambodia to connect with high-quality Cambodian agricultural products.
Funded by the UK Government under the UK Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the mission will enable seven UK buyers to engage with agricultural producers from Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom.
The programme includes business-to-business meetings and visits to cashew processing facilities, rice paddies, and dried mango operations, providing opportunities for face-to-face exchanges with key Cambodian producers and stakeholders.
Escipión Oliveira-Gómez, ITC Director of the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions, stated that this initiative will help transform trade and improve livelihoods by facilitating direct contact and fostering greater understanding between UK buyers and Cambodian agricultural producers.
“This initiative is also expected to strengthen trade relations between the two nations through a win-win approach, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The visit to prominent Cambodian companies and cooperatives will provide UK buyers with insights into local production capabilities and quality standards. A business networking event hosted by the British Embassy in Cambodia will connect UK buyers with Cambodian suppliers, including representatives from the Cambodia Rice Federation and the Cambodia Cashew Nut Federation.
Dominic Williams, British Ambassador to Cambodia, said that the UK will play an important role in Cambodia’s continued growth, helping more people in the country secure well-paying jobs and improve their livelihoods.
“Agriculture is a major employer in Cambodia, so as part of this goal, we are working with Cambodia to export more agricultural products to the UK.
“I’m delighted that we are supporting a visit from a range of UK buyers, who will see for themselves the quality of Cambodia’s delicious produce,” Williams said.
“We are particularly keen for our buyers to explore higher-value processed items, as these ensure Cambodians retain a much greater share of the price paid by British consumers at their local shop or supermarket.
“I very much hope that when I return to the UK, I will be able to buy my favourite Cambodian products from a wide range of stores,” he added.
This trade mission (February 9-15) underscores the UK Trade Partnerships Programme’s commitment to strengthening trade ties between the UK and emerging markets. By facilitating direct engagement between UK buyers and Cambodian producers, the initiative aims to promote sustainable growth in the agricultural sectors of both nations, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and expanding market access for Cambodian products.
Notably, UKTP is implemented by the ITC and funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The programme aims to boost trade from developing countries to the UK and the EU, leveraging the benefits of Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
UKTP collaborates with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government agencies, private sector organizations, and other stakeholders to facilitate trade promotion and capacity-building activities.
