Cambodia, Laos Aim to Lift Bilateral Trade to $700 Million by 2030
Cambodia, Laos Aim to Lift Bilateral Trade to $700 Million by 2030
PHNOM PENH, Feb 7, 2026 — Cambodia and Laos have agreed to step up efforts to raise bilateral trade to $700 million by 2030, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Saturday after talks with his Lao counterpart.
Hun Manet met Sonexay Siphandone at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of a trilateral party leaders’ meeting involving Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
Both leaders praised the steady growth of bilateral relations under their comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership and urged relevant ministries to work more closely to deliver tangible benefits to their peoples.
The two sides noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Laos and agreed to organise a series of high-level exchanges and commemorative activities throughout the year.
They cited upcoming state visits — including that of Lao President and party chief Thongloun Sisoulith to Cambodia and a planned state visit to Laos by Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni — as evidence of strengthening political and diplomatic ties.
The leaders agreed to expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, banking, agriculture, energy, transport infrastructure, border affairs, defence and security, and joint efforts against transnational crime, human trafficking and online scams.
They also discussed accelerating transport connectivity to facilitate trade flows, with Cambodia serving as a transit route for Lao goods to international markets via Cambodian seaports — aligning with Laos’ strategy to transform from a landlocked to a land-linked country.
Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the $700 million trade target by 2030 and to deepening cooperation in energy to ensure shared energy security.
Sonexay also confirmed Laos’ support and participation at the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host in November.
