Discussion aims to boost trade relations between Vietnam and Cambodia
In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, a significant event unfolded on Tuesday - the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Connectivity Conference. The conference aimed to deliver sustainable two-way trade growth and establish modern, efficient, and balanced trade cooperation ecosystems between the two economies [1].
The first half of 2025 has seen a remarkable surge in bilateral trade, with the value reaching an impressive $6.2 billion, marking a 16.8% year-on-year increase [1]. Vietnam’s exports to Cambodia accounted for $2.7 billion, up 4.6% from the same period last year [1].
The conference highlighted various key sectors driving trade cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia. These sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, food processing, textiles, cosmetics, high-tech agriculture, logistics, tourism, industry, and technology, are focal points for expanding bilateral trade and investment ties [1][2].
Vietnam has emerged as one of Cambodia’s top five foreign investors, with over 200 projects valued at nearly $3 billion [2]. These projects target sectors like agriculture, tourism, industry, and technology. Both countries are upgrading infrastructure and border processes to facilitate trade, including developing transportation and logistics to reduce costs and improve competitiveness [2][3].
One such infrastructure project is the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressway, due for completion in 2027, which aims to bolster connectivity between the two nations [3].
The conference brought together nearly 300 Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises across various sectors. It offered valuable opportunities for brand promotion, market trend analysis, technical requirement assessment, and consumer preference insights [1].
On the occasion, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding for market information sharing and joint promotional programs [1]. This Memorandum aims to establish close coordination mechanisms for market information sharing and implement joint promotional programs in the coming period.
Chairman Oknha Leng Rity expressed hope for regular trade promotion activities and flexible cooperation mechanisms between business associations to remove bottlenecks, share market information, and support enterprises' sustainable development [1]. For Cambodian enterprises, the event provided crucial insights into Vietnam's production capabilities and development potential [1].
Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Department of Foreign Market Development Đỗ Quốc Hùng emphasized the importance of strengthening business community connections to maintain stable supply chains and support enterprises in enhancing their competitive edge [1].
These developments reflect a strong commitment to deepen economic integration and harness complementarities to boost bilateral trade and development [1][2][3]. The conference serves as a stepping stone towards a more prosperous and interconnected future for Vietnam and Cambodia.
- In the realm of technology and industry, both Vietnam and Cambodia are investing heavily to upgrade infrastructure, such as the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressway, to facilitate trade and improve competitiveness.
- The conference highlighted the significance of AI in fostering sustainable growth, as Vietnam and Cambodia explore opportunities in sectors like high-tech agriculture and logistics.
- The business connectivity conference underscored the importance of finance in solidifying trade ties, with Vietnam emerging as one of Cambodia’s top five foreign investors, pumping over $3 billion into various sectors.
- As the conference brings together enterprises from both countries, it serves as a platform for exploring synergies between cultures, with opportunities for Cambodian firms to learn from Vietnam's production capabilities and development potential.
