Cambodia and Indonesia called for greater interaction between the people of the two nations, which in turn would translate into business opportunities for the two economies.
This was echoed when Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto called on Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to discuss further strengthening of bilateral trade as well as marking the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Santo told Sophea, “As we celebrate 65 years of Indonesia-Cambodia relations, we must ensure that 2024 be filled with win-win achievements in our bilateral cooperation.”
The ambassador expressed his fervent hope that the age-old historical bond between the two Asian neighbours would evolve into fruitful and rewarding cooperation in trade and investment. This in turn would be directly beneficial for the people of the two nations. In particular, the youth would stand to gain through education. Culture and tourism were other areas that would profit.
Sophea acknowledged the importance of the anniversary and voiced his sincere desire for greater interaction between the people of the two nations, which would translate into business opportunities for the two economies. He also hoped that the closer relationship between the two nationalities would lead to a more rewarding association in the pursuit of common goals, both regionally as well as multilaterally.
Santo voiced his gratitude for Cambodia’s unstinted support at the time Indonesia chaired ASEAN. “Our efforts were built on the successful Chairmanship of Cambodia in 2022, which had paved the way for Southeast Asia’s post-pandemic economic recovery,” he said.
Indonesia signed the Treaty of Friendship with Cambodia on February 13, 1959, cementing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Since then Indonesia has gone on to take the number six slot among Cambodia’s biggest trading partners. Bilateral trade between the two countries was to the tune of $965.24 million in November 2023. An increase of 112 percent in exports from Cambodia to Indonesia took the total revenue to $70.56 million in 2023. In September 2023, Cambodia for the very first time shipped rice to Indonesia hitting a historic milestone and intensifying bilateral ties.
Lauti Nia Astri, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia speaking to Khmer Times on Wednesday detailed the implications of the meeting. It would mean “continuing Cambodian rice export to Indonesia, as well as exploring possible investment in agro-business and agro-industry in Cambodia. It will also lead to exploring other investments from Indonesia, for example in infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing. Indonesia’s state-owned enterprises will be encouraged to look for opportunities to support the development of Cambodia.”
“The 65th anniversary of Cambodia-Indonesia relations is a springboard for 2024, a year about translating historical ties into tangible benefits for their people. We can expect substantial increases in trade and investment, fueled by increased cooperation across sectors. People-to-people bonds will be strengthened through education, culture, and tourism, which will underpin flourishing business interactions,” said Kevin Nauen, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and International Relations, Pannasastra University.
“It will encourage the Cambodian business community and chambers of commerce for more B2B interactions with Indonesian counterparts. It will thereby help Indonesia to become a reliable trade partner for Cambodia and a reliable import source. It will also promote and encourage people-to-people contact through tourism and open more direct flights that connect several tourist destinations in Cambodia and Indonesia,” added Lauti.
“Collaboration extends beyond bilateral concerns, with a commitment to work closer on regional and multilateral issues. Thus the two countries have expressed a shared vision of a partnership where bilateral prosperity fuels regional collaboration and a brighter future for both nations,” added Nauen.
Source:Khmer Times
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<p>Time: 2024 By: Ministry of Industry and Trade</p>
