PHNOM PENH – Dubai Chamber of Commerce is exploring business opportunities in Cambodia and strengthening economic ties between the markets.

Operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce concluded its trade mission this week in Phnom Penh, holding a series of meetings.

Salem Al Shamsi, executive vice president of international relations at Dubai Chambers, described the visit as a reflection of growing interest in Cambodia among delegations, while providing insight into investment trends.

“Dubai–Cambodia cooperation continues to grow, with non-oil trade in 2024 reaching over $394 million, creating a robust foundation for expanded engagement,” Shamsi said during the forum on Doing Business with Cambodia on November 28.

“For Dubai’s business community, Cambodia offers opportunities across key sectors, with bilateral trade already covering apparel, footwear, leather goods, vehicles and electronics.”

Shamsi also expressed hope to see more Cambodian businesses in Dubai to take advantage of what the city has to offer.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce has identified several high-potential sectors for trade between the markets, including aluminium, iron and steel, beverages, mattresses and bedding, furniture and aircraft or spacecraft components.

It also sees strong investment prospects in Cambodia for Dubai-based companies in areas such as travel and tourism, hospitality, transport and logistics, textiles, consumer goods, appliances, and construction and infrastructure development.

Kith Meng, president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that relations between Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates have been elevated to a strategic economic partnership, anchored by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Meng, who also serves as Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council–Cambodia, noted that CEPA, which entered into force in early 2024, provides the UAE with an important economic gateway to the dynamic ASEAN market of 680 million consumers.

The agreement gives Cambodia preferential access to diversify its economic reliance and integrate more deeply into the strategic Gulf Cooperation Council hub.

Tekreth Kamrang, secretary of state at the Ministry of Commerce, also noted that Cambodia–UAE ties are no longer just trading partnerships but strategic alliances.

“The UAE remains one of Cambodia’s largest trading partners in the Middle East. With bilateral trade reaching more than $400 million, despite global geopolitical and economic uncertainty, Cambodia remains one of the most resilient economies in ASEAN,” Kamrang said.

She invited UAE investors to explore opportunities in Cambodia’s food security and agro-processing sectors, noting that Cambodia is a global leader in green agriculture and manufacturing, while the UAE is a global leader in energy, logistics and finance.

The forum brought together senior officials, business leaders, and representatives of local companies to explore potential synergies between the Dubai delegation and the Cambodian business community.

The Dubai delegation featured representatives from 16 private-sector companies spanning industries such as construction, engineering, food and beverages, healthcare, retail, textiles, beauty, and oil and gas.

Dubai Chambers is a non-profit public entity that supports Dubai’s vision as a global player by empowering businesses, delivering innovative value-added services, and unlocking access to influential networks.