MoC reports growth in exports, market diversification

MoC reports growth in exports, market diversification

The achievements reflect the Royal Government’s earnest efforts to promote the diversification of domestic trade and exports through measures that increase value addition along value chains, strengthen local, regional and global supply chains.

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) continues to advance economic and trade development by strengthening existing markets, expanding new ones, and integrating into regional and global economies, while maintaining domestic market stability, product quality, and safety, said Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the MoC’s annual meeting to review achievements in 2025 and outline objectives for 2026, held over two days on Thursday and Friday, Nimul said that in 2025, economic growth is forecast at around 5.2 percent, with trade volume reaching $65.24 billion. Last year, Cambodia exported goods worth $31.28 billion to international markets, an increase of 17 percent from $26.75 billion in 2024. Imports also grew by 18 percent, reaching $33.96 billion, compared with $28.70 billion in 2024.

Cambodia’s major trading partners in 2025 include China, ASEAN, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, the United Arab Emirates, and many other countries.

Nimul added that these achievements reflect the Royal Government’s continued efforts to promote the diversification of domestic trade and exports through measures that increase value addition along value chains, strengthen local, regional and global supply chains, promote new businesses and entrepreneurship, and continue to improve trade facilitation to enhance competitiveness and efficiency in the context of digital trade.

“Despite high uncertainty in the global trade environment due to political factors, war, and the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, the ministry continues to take proactive steps in economic and trade development by further integrating into regional and global markets in line with its strategy of strengthening existing markets and expanding new ones,” she emphasised.

Nimul also highlighted key achievements, including market diversification, with Cambodian exports reaching 169 countries in 2025, up from 164 in 2024. “We have contributed to enhancing Cambodia’s reputation and competitiveness in regional and global supply chains and increasing value added for producers and investors,” she said.

She added that the use of preferential trade schemes and free trade agreements rose by nearly 20 percent in certificates of origin issued, with key exports including garments, footwear and travel goods, rice, cashew nuts, cassava, pepper, animal feed, bicycles, tires, and other products.

The ministry also continues to promote domestic markets for agricultural and local products by strengthening market linkages for small-scale farmers through producer groups, entrepreneurship and technical training, and infrastructure development.

Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and spokesperson for the MoC, said yesterday that the ministry not only focused on the international trade sector but also paid close attention to domestic trade.

“What is noteworthy is our retention of the US market, which remains a major destination for Cambodian exports such as garments, textiles, footwear and travel goods. This was achieved through tough trade negotiations by the Royal Government of Cambodia, resulting in a 19 percent tariff rate,” he said.

He highlighted the ministry’s ongoing preparations for geographical indications (GI), collective brands and the development of various regulatory brands.

Regarding the promotion of the domestic market, Sovicheat said the ministry has focused on maintaining price stability for daily necessities and strategic goods circulating in the domestic market.

This includes preventing prices from rising too high, which would affect consumers, and from falling too low, which would impact production and producers.

khmertimeskh