Cambodia, Malaysia firm up ties to boost halal, tourism sectors

Both countries underline the importance of strengthening economic, trade, investment and tourism relations to complement political ties.

Cambodia and Malaysia are set to deepen economic cooperation by developing the halal sector and promoting tourism and trade between the two nations, following high-level talks between senior leaders in Phnom Penh.

The discussions took place yesterday during a courtesy call and working meeting between Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, and Datutk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Rural and Regional Development, and President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Chea Thirith, Spokesperson of the Senate, said that Senate President Hun Sen warmly welcomed Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his delegation, describing the visit as an important contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering economic cooperation.

During the meeting, the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Senate President for granting the courtesy call. He commended the strong relations between Cambodia and Malaysia, noting that these ties extend beyond politics and diplomacy to include people-to-people relations.

He raised several key points, including the development of the halal food sector in Cambodia, expressing his desire to encourage the sector to take shape and grow. He also expressed hope that a committee would be established to study and promote the development of the halal food sector in Cambodia.

The Deputy Prime Minister further highlighted the expansion of tourism cooperation, particularly medical tourism. He said Malaysia is ready to receive Cambodian tourists, especially for medical examinations, and revealed that Malaysia is exploring the possibility of establishing a Malaysian hospital in Cambodia.

In response, Mr Hun Sen agreed with the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister’s proposals to expand cooperation. He underlined the importance of strengthening economic, trade, investment and tourism relations between the two countries to complement political ties.

Mr Hun Sen noted that trade between Cambodia and Malaysia has increased, but called on both governments to make further efforts to boost trade volumes. He thanked Malaysia for helping to buy Cambodian rice in the past, noting that Malaysia was the first country to import rice from Cambodia—up to 70,000 tonnes in 2024—and expressed hope that Malaysia would continue to buy more agricultural products from Cambodia.

On the halal food sector, Hun Sen acknowledged that this issue has been raised for a long time and expressed his hope that progress would be achieved through bilateral cooperation in the near future. Regarding medical tourism, he suggested that Malaysia set up an information centre in Cambodia to provide details about health services in Malaysia.

The meeting also discussed regional issues, including Myanmar and Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership bid, with Malaysia playing a facilitating role as ASEAN Chair.

The courtesy call underscored both countries’ commitment to further develop cooperation in key economic areas such as the halal sector, trade, investment and tourism.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Malaysia surged to $807.39 million in the first nine months of 2025, marking a robust 22.4 percent increase, driven by stronger Malaysian imports and steady Cambodian exports, according to the latest figures from the General Department of Customs and Excise.

Cambodia’s exports to Malaysia rose 7.9 percent to $103.6 million, while imports from Malaysia jumped 24.8 percent to $703.78 million.

Source: Khmer Times