Cambodia has urged Vietnamese financiers to increase investments or form partnerships with Cambodian companies, particularly in production lines linked to Vietnamese supply chains. This comes as bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $7 billion.

Chea Vuthy, Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) of the Cambodia Development Council (CDC), made the remarks at the Cambodia-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum themed “Strengthening Cooperation in cross-border trade and the digital economy. »

The forum was held in Phnom Penh on December 25 and was co-organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association (VCBA) .

The forum aimed to facilitate connections between Cambodian and Vietnamese investors and businesses, providing a platform to build relationships, exchange information and discuss opportunities in cross-border trade and the digital economy.

Vuthy highlighted that the event serves as a direct platform for domestic and Vietnamese companies to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia. He highlighted key sectors that could be connected to Vietnam’s production supply chains, such as agriculture, agro-industry, automobile assembly, electronics, digital and financial technologies and others. industrial areas.

“I encourage (the Vietnamese) to continue to invest in Cambodia or collaborate with Cambodian companies in more sectors, especially those with high potential that can be linked to production supply chains in Vietnam,” he said. -he declared.

“For investors and businesses who have not yet invested in Cambodia, I invite you to study and better understand the vast potential and opportunities available, and quickly make decisions to benefit from investment opportunities in Cambodia “, he added.

Vuthy also highlighted the growing importance of e-commerce in today’s rapidly changing economic environment. He noted that digital commerce reduces costs and time, improves sales and productivity, and facilitates rapid market expansion, providing a vital avenue for Cambodian and Vietnamese businesses to explore.

According to the CDC, Vietnam ranked as Cambodia’s third largest investor from January to November, with a total investment of $557 million.

The General Department of Customs and Excise (DCE) reported that trade between the two countries during this period reached $7.09 billion, an increase of 20.6 percent compared to the same period in 2023. .

Exports to Vietnam totaled $3.3 billion, an increase of 26.3 percent, while imports from Vietnam totaled $3.79 billion, an increase of 16 percent. This resulted in a trade surplus of $492.34 million for Cambodia, although lower than the surplus of $655.05 million recorded during the same period in 2023. Vietnam remains the third largest trading partner of the country after China and the United States.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said The post office On December 26, trade between the two countries increased steadily, especially Cambodian exports, which increased significantly compared to more than a decade ago when exports were minimal compared to imports.

He expressed optimism that trade volume would increase further once the Phnom Penh-Bavet highway, which connects Cambodia to the Vietnamese border, was operational.

Heng attributed the increase in the country’s export value to agricultural products, noting that the shared border between the two countries likely means the actual trade volume is even higher than reported figures.

“In addition to trade in goods, many Vietnamese companies are currently investing in Cambodia, particularly in projects related to agriculture, agro-industry and natural resources,” he said.

Cambodia’s main exports to Vietnam include rice, rubber, cashews, cassava, corn, bananas, mangoes and pepper. In return, Vietnam exports construction materials, machinery, fuel, electronic devices, agricultural tools, spices and vegetables to Cambodia.

Vietnam also contributes significantly to Cambodia’s tourism sector. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia welcomed 1.2 million Vietnamese tourists from January to November, an increase of 30.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Vietnam is the country’s second largest source of tourists after Thailand, with 1.91 million visitors. .