Cambodia, Cyprus look to boost trade ties

Cambodia and Cyprus officials have expressed hope to enhance trade relations between both countries.

The honorary consul of Cambodia to Cyprus Christopher Larcou yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He was received by Dr SEA Kosal, secretary of state at the General Department of Legal, Consular and Border Affairs, and Tho Samnang and Yos Sokhemrin.

The meeting discussed the announcement of opening the honorary consulate of Cambodia at Larnaca, boosting bilateral relations between the two countries, including tourism, trade and other sectors.

A trade delegation from Cyprus under the leadership of Larnaca mayor is touring Cambodia and exploring areas of cooperation between both countries.

The delegation, led by Andreas Vyras, mayor of Larnaka and President of the Cyprus Municipalities Association, reached the Kingdom on October 8 and the tour would end on October 15, an official said.

“A delegation comprising government and trade officials from Cyprus is visiting Cambodia for the first time since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship on May 16, 2000,” Salah Essa, Secretary of State and Advisor at the National Committee on Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), told Khmer Times last week.

Both countries would look to extend cooperation in several fields, including tourism, trades and investments, education, cultural exchange, economic diplomacy, etc, he said.

Cyprus is also expected to announce the establishment of the Cambodian honorary consulate in Cyprus during the visit.

“Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and MoFA Cyprus has approved the establishment of the honorary consulate of Cambodia in Cyprus on June 15, 2022, following meetings between the two ministries. Christopher Larcou was appointed as the honorary consul of Cambodia to Cyprus with an office in Larnaka,” Essa said.

The Ministry of Tourism is also scheduled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality of Larnaka to boost tourism and cultural exchange.

The MoU looks at the prospect of establishing bilateral cooperation, friendship and investment in the tourism and hospitality sector. It is expected to enhance greater cooperation in facilitating travel and tourist visits, exchange and share tourism information and data and promote people-to-people exchange. The areas of cooperation include tourism management, private sector, sports tourism, handicrafts and cultural heritage tourism and exchange of tourist information. It includes exchange visits of tour operators/media/opinion makers for the promotion of two tourism, familiarisation trip and official visits.

The delegation will also pay courtesy calls to the governors of Phnom Penh and Svay Rieng and discuss the twin cities’ partnership, Essa said.

The team is also set to meet business leaders from several sectors including property developers, travel agencies, hotel and restaurant associations, etc.

The officials from Cyprus will also meet leaders of various business and trade chambers in the country during the trip.

Source: Khmer Times