Prime Minister Hun Manet delivers a speech at the Philippines-Cambodia Business Forum in Manila on February 10. Cambodian commerce chamber
Trade and Tourism cooperation between Cambodia and the Philippines is expected to improve after Prime Minister Hun Manet paid an official visit to the archipelagic country earlier this week.
At the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Manet led a high-level government and private sector delegation on the February 10-11 trip.
During the visit, the Cambodian private sector, represented by the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
The new agreement is expected to strengthen private sector relations between the two countries, particularly in terms of boosting trade and investment.
The MoU also aims to enhance institutional cooperation and strengthen relations between the two countries.
PCCI president Enunina V. Mangio noted that Cambodia’s remarkable economic transformation and the strong growth trajectory of the Philippines have created synergies and immense potential for expanding trade cooperation.
Sam Soknoeun, chairman of SAM SN Group, joined the Cambodian delegation.
He told The Post on February 12 that the visit achieved significant results in connecting trade relations, and that many Filipino businesspeople showed interest in investment opportunities in Cambodia.
Soknoeun noted that the two commerce chambers cooperated well and organised the Philippine-Cambodia Business Forum, where many high-level discussions took place.
“We presented Cambodia’s potential to entrepreneurs and Filipino businessmen and invited them to visit and see Cambodia’s progress firsthand. Many businesspeople met with us separately and expressed an interest in learning more about investment opportunities in the Kingdom,” he explained.
He described agriculture, education, real estate and healthcare as the sectors which attracted the most interest.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise, during the first 11 months of 2024, bilateral trade between Cambodia and the Philippines amounted to $79 million, a decrease of 1.82% compared to the same period in 2023.
This included $44 million in exports from Cambodia to the Philippines, a decrease of 10.67%, while imports from the Philippines amounted to $35 million, an increase of 11.96%.
Beyond trade, both countries have also agreed to enhance direct flight connections to support the growth of the tourism sector.
Cambodian Delegate Minister in charge of ASEAN Affairs So Naro addressed a February 11 press conference on the results of the official visit.
“Both sides agreed to increase direct flights between the Philippines and Cambodia. The prime minister wants more connections, for ease of business and trade,” he said.
In addition to the existing five weekly flights between Phnom Penh and Manila, the two governments also promoted new routes between important tourist cities such as Siem Reap-Cebu and Phnom Penh-Cebu.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia is expected to receive 6.7 million international tourists in 2025, with 69,142 visitors from the Philippines.
