Cambodia pledges to boost economic cooperation with UK

Cambodia pledges to boost economic cooperation with UK

Both sides will explore the possibility of expanding cooperation in areas such as investment financing for infrastructure projects, agricultural trade, and export facilitation.

Cambodia is committed to deepening economic cooperation with the United Kingdom at the upcoming Third Cambodia-UK Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), scheduled for early 2026, said Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce.

Speaking at the 22nd anniversary of Unilever (Cambodia) Limited on Friday in the capital, Nimul emphasised that the forum will serve as a crucial venue for both nations to explore new possibilities across several high-potential sectors.

British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams, along with a host of dignitaries, was present on the occasion.

“Through the third Cambodia-UK Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF) to be held in early 2026, the two sides will continue to explore the possibility of expanding cooperation in many areas, such as investment financing for infrastructure projects, agricultural trade, and export facilitation,” she said.

The Minister also appreciated the progress of the excellent relations between Cambodia and the United Kingdom, especially in economic, trade and investment cooperation, which has brought great benefits to both sides and played an important role in supporting Cambodia’s development goals.

Joint Trade and Investment Forum, a UK-Cambodia initiative launched in May 2023 to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.

The forum serves as a platform for government and private sector engagement to promote economic growth, support Cambodian exports to the UK, and encourage British investment in Cambodia.

Discussions often focus on key areas like green growth, investment policy, and regional trade integration, with the forum also facilitating follow-up actions and agreements.

Official data from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia showed that the bilateral trade between Cambodia and the UK rose by 7.1 percent to $911 million between January to October this year.

Of that, Cambodia exported $869 million worth of goods to the UK, a year-on-year increase of 7.6 percent.

During an official visit to Cambodia last month, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable economic development.

He held talks with a number of high-ranking officials discussing ways to advance bilateral trade cooperation between Cambodia and the UK to a higher level, focusing on inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth; the development of green Special Economic Zones; and technical cooperation under the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP), in line with the development visions of both countries.

Nimul emphasized that Cambodia continues to diversify its economy and integrate its economy regionally and globally, adhering to the principles of a multilateral trading system based on the rule of law and open markets, which provides certainty, predictability and ensures equality without discrimination between foreign and domestic investors.

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