Trade volume between Cambodia and Japan had grown 19 per cent in the first six months of 2013 compared with the same period last year, figures from the Japan External Trade Organisation show.

Bilateral trade reached $347 million in the first half, compared with $291 million first six months of 2012.

“The economic relationship between Japan and Cambodia is growing steadily,” said Takayoshi Kuromiya, counsellor for the Japanese embassy in Cambodia. “These kinds of trends are very welcome.”

“More and more Japanese companies are interested in Cambodia,” Kuromiya added.

Cambodian exports to Japan were up 31 per cent in the first six months, with an estimated total of $240 million, while imports from Japan dropped one per cent, to $107 million. Agricultural and garment products made up a majority of the Cambodian exports. Japanese imports were mainly vehicles and electronics.

Compared with other regional countries, Cambodian exports to Japan saw the largest growth. Bangladeshi and Pakistani exports saw hikes of 22.2 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respectively.

Cambodian-Japanese trade volume totalled $641 million during 2012.

In recent years, a number of Japanese companies have moved into Cambodia. Tokyo-based auto supplier Yazaki has invested $24 million in an electronic parts plant in the Koh Kong Special Economic Zone. In September, AEON committed $200 million to build a four-storey shopping mall in Phnom Penh.