Cambodia Looks to Promote Trade and Direct Flight from Turkey

Cambodia is seeking to promote trade, investment, tourism and a direct flight from Turkey. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea during his three-day official visit to Turkey earlier this week.

During his visit from 27 to 29 May, H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea made it clear that bilateral relations must be strengthened and cooperation in various fields expanded, particularly in boosting bilateral trade to US$1 billion.

Both Cambodia and Turkey agreed on the need for direct flights between Turkey and Cambodia. Turkey will encourage Turkish Airlines to start direct flights to Cambodia as soon as possible to facilitate trade, investment and tourism.

Potential

The two sides acknowledged the vast potential for future investments in areas such as agro-industry, education, food processing, green energy development and tourism.

On regional and international issues, the two sides agreed that Tukey’s Asia Anew Initiative for economic and trade cooperation with Asian partners aligns perfectly with Cambodia’s priorities and cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). They committed to further consolidating and expanding cooperation in regional and global fora, and reached common ground on major international crises.

H. E. Sok Chenda Sophea expressed his profound gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to the Cambodian delegation during visits to Istanbul and Ankara, which commemorated the 65th anniversary of Cambodia-Türkiye diplomatic relations. He informed his hosts that he would be highlighting the excellent ties between Cambodia and Turkey, strengthening bilateral relations and expanding the depth and scope of cooperation in various fields. He stated that the visit was also aimed at implementing the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries in 2018, particularly in boosting bilateral trade to US$1 billion. H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea expressed gratitude for Turkey’s assistance to Cambodia in human resource training, healthcare and rural development.

Politics

On political relations, both sides noted with satisfaction the frequent high-level exchanges of visits in recent years and committed to further encouraging engagement and cooperation between executive and legislative bodies at all levels. They praised the successful convening of the Third Bilateral Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries this year and looked forward to the fourth round of consultations in Cambodia next year.

Trade and investment

The two sides agreed that there is vast potential for future investments in areas such as agro-industry, education, food processing, green energy development and tourism.

H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea told his Turkish hosts that they must view Cambodia as part of a vast Southeast Asian market of more than 650 million people, connected by a network of regional and bilateral trade agreements. These include the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Cambodia’s free-trade agreements with China and the Republic of Korea.