Cambodia and Henan province of China have pledged to deepen bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in agriculture and agro-processing.
This follows a high-level meeting between Lim Lork Piseth, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, and Sun Shougang, Vice Governor of Henan, which is one of China’s most populous and economically dynamic regions.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, the meeting, held in Henan last week focused on exploring new ways to boost trade relations and strengthen partnerships in the agro-industrial sector.
Sun underscored Henan’s keen interest in enhancing trade and investment with Cambodia.
He announced that the Henan Provincial Department of Commerce will send a high-level delegation to Cambodia later this year to explore concrete investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing.
On the same day, Piseth also met with Chen Xuemei, Chairwoman of Chen Sun Fruits and Vegetable Trading Co Ltd, a major importer of Cambodian agricultural products into Henan.
During the discussion, Piseth encouraged the company to expand its imports of Cambodian products — particularly cashew nuts, dried mango, and bananas — and to consider investing directly in agro-processing facilities in Cambodia to add value to Cambodian exports.
This renewed commitment from both sides highlights Cambodia’s efforts to diversify its agricultural markets and attract foreign investment in value-added sectors, further enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Lor Vichet, Vice President of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), noted the ongoing development of key bilateral initiatives. “Cambodia and China have established an industrial corridor agreement, a fish corridor, and a rice corridor, enabling Cambodia to develop these sectors more effectively,” he said.
Henan province, with a population exceeding 100 million, represents a significant market for Cambodian agricultural products.
Vichet emphasised, “As China has evolved into an industrial economy, greater integration of trade, agriculture, and agro-industry will be mutually beneficial. Cambodia can supply agricultural products to Henan, while China can support Cambodia by transferring modern agricultural technology.”
According to Vichet, this technology transfer would empower Cambodian farmers and enterprises to produce high-quality goods at competitive prices for exports to China.
“This approach is more efficient than China producing these products domestically, especially given its current status as an Industry 4.0 economy,” he explained.
He further stressed that such cooperation can be strengthened through direct investment by Chinese companies.
“This technology transfer can happen through investments in Cambodia, including the establishment of factories and the development of human resources.
“Regardless of the specific country or province, Chinese investors stand to benefit significantly from investing in Cambodia, thanks to its favourable investment laws and attractive incentives,” Vichet said.
“The Cambodia–China industrial corridor initiatives, together with provincial-level partnerships like the one with Henan, reflect a broader trend of deepening economic ties between the two countries.
“These efforts align with Cambodia’s strategy to modernise its agriculture and industry while boosting exports to the lucrative Chinese market.”
Vichet’s remarks come amid increasing momentum in bilateral trade, with Cambodia’s exports to China continuing to grow steadily in recent years.
As Cambodia positions itself to leverage its agricultural strengths and attract more Chinese investment, experts believe that sustained commitment to technology transfer and skills development will be essential to unlocking the full potential of the Cambodia–Henan partnership.
Source: Khmer Times
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<p>Time: 2024 By: Ministry of Industry and Trade</p>
