By:
• Chhum Chantha

• October 31, 2024 , 5:15 PM

PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Commerce has called for China increase orders for agricultural products from Cambodia, particularly crops such as cassava, cashew nuts, Pailin longan, mangoes, bananas and rubber.

This request to reduce the trade imbalance between the countries was made when representatives of Cambodia and China met at the ministry on October 28.

Chen Jizhi, Vice President of the Federation of Industry and Commerce and head of the Agricultural Industry Chamber in China’s Guangxi Autonomous Region, expressed interest in investing in Cambodia.

Jizhi asked the ministry about a better understanding Cambodia’s trade policies, industry and agriculture, market demands, investment climate and agricultural resources. He hoped the information can seize the opportunities for private sector collaboration between Cambodia and China, particularly in Guangxi province.

Seang Thai, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Commerce, explained Cambodia’s new investment law, including tax incentives and land use benefits for investors and their potential products in Cambodia.

In the first half of 2024, Cambodia exported approximately six million tonnes of agricultural products to 77 countries. 

The exports reflect a 57% increase from nearly four million tonnes in the same period of 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

General Department of Customs and Excise data shows that for the first nine months of 2024, Cambodia’s exports to China amounted to $1.27 billion. 

Cambodia has exported around 30 kinds of fresh and processed agricultural product to China, including rice, Pailin longan, cassava, corn, mangoes and yellow bananas. 

Cambodia will export durian and birdnest juice to the Chinese market in 2025 if the protocol on sanitary and phytosanitary for these products is reach. 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Chhuon Kongieng for Cambodianess.