German bilateral trade with Cambodia is expected to remain at a steady level of $750 million, with potential for further growth

Following the meeting between a German delegation and senior officials from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) on 31 October, diplomatic cooperation and bilateral trade between Cambodia and Germany are expected to see further advances.

The German delegation was headed by Bärbel Kofler, State Secretary for Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Development and a member of the German parliament. The German delegation met with the Cambodian side, led by Chhieng Yanara, second vice-chairman of the CDC, at the CDC headquarters in Phnom Penh.

The CDC press release stated that the primary objective of the meeting was to discuss the progress of Cambodia-Germany development cooperation, with a particular focus on future collaboration.

The meeting addressed a number of key issues, including Cambodia's economic outlook, government policy directions, governance and human rights, as well as partnerships with NGOs and civil society. The exchange of insights and experiences was also a key focus, with the objective of strengthening future partnerships.

Mr. Yanara extended a warm welcome to Ms. Kofler and expressed his profound gratitude for Germany's unwavering support and dedication to Cambodia as a pivotal development partner. He emphasised that bilateral cooperation has made a substantial contribution to alleviating the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and accelerating Cambodia's economic growth.

Data from Cambodia's General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) show that Cambodia-Germany trade reached $784.54 million from January to September 2024, representing a 0.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Exports to Germany reached $671.79 million, representing an 8.4% increase, while imports totalled $112.75 million, a decrease of 29.1%.

The trade surplus in Cambodia's favour was $559.03 million, an increase from the $460 million recorded in the same period in 2023. Germany represents Cambodia's tenth-largest trading partner.

Cambodia's principal exports to Germany include garments, footwear, travel goods, bicycles and agricultural products, while German imports are vehicles, healthcare supplies, electrical equipment, electronics and construction materials.

In 2023, Cambodia-Germany trade totalled $1.011 billion, representing a 18.9% decrease compared to 2022. Cambodian exports to Germany amounted to $815.52 million, a 24.7% decline, while German imports to Cambodia reached $195.95 million, an increase of 20%, according to the GDCE.