Cambodia seeks stronger trade ties at Eastern Economic Forum
Cambodia seeks stronger trade ties at Eastern Economic Forum
Lim Phanphearak, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, represented Cambodia at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) from 3–6 September in Vladivostok, Russian Federation, where he underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation under the ASEAN–Russia framework.
The annual forum, which promotes collaboration in technology, infrastructure and regional integration, brought together around 7,000 participants from 35 countries, including government officials, business leaders, academics and civil society representatives.
Addressing the Russia–ASEAN Business Dialogue, Phanphearak highlighted the growing strength of economic relations between the two regions. He noted that bilateral trade reached $17 billion in 2024, representing a 12 percent year-on-year increase, solidifying Russia’s position as a key trade partner for ASEAN. Cambodia, he stressed, stands ready to contribute to the draft ASEAN–Russia Strategy Programme on Trade and Investment 2026–2035 by advancing trade facilitation, investment guarantees, incentives and macroeconomic stability.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Undersecretary of State held talks with Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia–ASEAN Business Council. Phanphearak provided detailed information on Cambodia’s investment opportunities and advantages, including preferential market access through the Kingdom’s free trade agreements. He also sought support in promoting Cambodian agricultural products—such as cashew nuts, cassava, pepper, corn and rubber—in the Russian and Eurasian Economic Union markets.
In a separate meeting with Roscongress International, Phanphearak explored the possibility of joint cooperation in organising business forums in Cambodia and showcasing Cambodian enterprises at global platforms, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum.
The forum concluded with a plenary session presided over by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also in attendance were Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar and Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.
Source: Khmer Times
