PHNOM PENH – Britain has agreed to continue its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) until 2032, three years after Cambodia’s graduation from least developed country status.

The scheme was provided in October 2023 and serves similar roles to the previous Generalized System of Preferences.

UK Ambassador Dominic Williams told Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of the decision on Jan. 30.

Sokhonn thanked the UK for its continued support through the implementation of the Joint Trade and Investment Forum in November last year and the DCTS, which contributed significantly to economic growth.

DCTS is a type of customs preference the UK unveiled in 2022, granting some countries tariff-free and quota-free access to the UK market. Cambodia is one of the beneficiaries.

Cambodia is due to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) category in 2029. Sokhonn said extending the DCTS scheme will ensure a smooth economic transition.

He encouraged more investment and visitors from the UK to Cambodia, after seeing prosperous results of the previous and ongoing projects, including the green special economic zones and the Techo International Airport.

The airport was designed by British firm Foster and Partners. The first phase is due to start operating in the second half of this year. 

Sokhonn also appreciated the UK’s help in other sectors, such as defense through the docking of Royal Navy ships in 2023 and 2024, training opportunities and scholarships for officials and students, and support for education, healthcare and demining.

Cambodia, with the first British university in the country opening last year, called for exchanges of education and technical training programs. 

However, the ambassador raised concerns over Cambodia’s reputation being damaged by transnational crimes. He said the UK welcomes initiatives to cope with cyber scams.

The British Embassy says the UK and Cambodia will continue high level exchanges this year.

In 2024, the UK was in 10th place in trade with Cambodia. Trade reached $1,012 billion, up 16 percent on 2023. Cambodian exports rose 20.4 percent while imports fell by 29.9 percent.