PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodia's trade volume with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) reached US$13.3 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a Ministry of Commerce report released on Monday.
The report highlights that the kingdom's trade with fellow ASEAN member states was valued at US$10.3 billion during the January-June period, marking a 21.8 per cent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, trade with the EU rose 8 per cent to US$3 billion during the same timeframe.
During the first half of the year, Cambodia's total global trade volume reached US$38.2 billion. The ASEAN market represented 27 per cent of this total, while the EU market accounted for 7.8 per cent.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said the robust growth in trade with ASEAN reflects deepening regional economic integration.
He attributed this momentum to stronger supply chain linkages, expanding cross-border commerce, and the trade advantages provided by regional frameworks like the ASEAN Economic Community and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
"Looking ahead, trade with ASEAN is expected to sustain double-digit growth, supported by improving regional demand, rising cross-border investment, and the continued expansion of regional manufacturing networks," Mengdavid told Xinhua.
At the same time, he said the EU remains a crucial, high-value export market for Cambodia, particularly for garments, footwear, travel goods, bicycles, electronics, and agricultural products.
"Continued efforts to diversify into higher-value manufacturing and digital industries will further enhance Cambodia's trade competitiveness and resilience," he said.
He added that if these trends persist, ASEAN is poised to become Cambodia's principal driver of trade growth, while the EU will continue to play a vital role in export diversification and the development of higher-value-added industries. -- Xinhua
