Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Vietnam fell marginally by 6 per cent in the first half of this year largely due to a slump in Vietnamese exports, according to data from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia.

Vietnam exports to Cambodia totalled $1.3 billion as of June 30, down 13 per cent from $1.51 billion recorded at the same time last year. Meanwhile, Cambodian exports to the neighbouring country, which largely consisted of seafood, tobacco, rubber and rice, increased 21 per cent year on year.

Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, said the flow of Vietnamese products into Cambodia is usually relative to the amount flowing from Thailand, as there is a deeper trust for Thai-made goods.

“The last few years, Thailand has been strict on exports to Cambodia due to that country’s political issues. Thus our people turn to use more Vietnamese products instead,” he said.

“But now the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is improving, so Thai products flow better into Cambodia, which can slow the amount of goods coming from Vietnam.”

The Vietnamese Embassy could not be reached for comment.