PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Malaysia held talks aimed at strengthening and expanding their bilateral trade relations, as well as promoting the potential for direct investment, particularly in the manufacture of halal food products for export.
At present, Malaysia is Cambodia’s 11th largest trading partner.
An August 21 meeting at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) headquarters saw Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the CDC, welcome Shaharuddin Onn, Malaysian ambassador, to discuss possible investment.
The ambassador shared his appreciation for the Cambodian government’s efforts in implementing a ceasefire agreement with Thailand. The agreement was reached on July 28, in Putrajaya, Malaysia. He described the agreement as demonstrating the Cambodian government’s strong commitment to seeking peace and stability with neighbouring countries — an essential foundation for national social and economic development.
Chanthol expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, acting 2025 Asean chair, for helping facilitate the ceasefire.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening Cambodia-Malaysia bilateral trade ties, saying he hoped for greater cooperation and expanded collaboration, particularly through more direct investment from Malaysia.
“We hope to attract more Malaysian investment into Cambodia, especially in the halal food processing sector,” he said.
Malaysia was one of the earliest investors in Cambodia, starting in April 1994, with major projects such as Angkor Beer and electrical stations.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), from January to July 2025, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Malaysia totalled US$598.19 million, an 11.2 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. Exports to Malaysia were US$78.88 million (up 2.4 per cent), while imports totalled US$519.32 million (up 12.7 per cent).
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post that as both countries are in the Asean region, trade between them has consistently increased, especially in terms of Malaysian imports. The trade imbalance, he explained, is because Malaysia is a larger country with a larger population and stronger manufacturing capacity. Besides agriculture, Malaysia also has factories producing electronics, machinery, construction materials and consumer goods.
“With continued good cooperation and with both countries being members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, bilateral trade will continue to grow significantly in the future,” he added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
