Cambodia and Vietnam plan to sign an agricultural cooperation agreement this month to underpin trade growth between the two countries, especially of the Kingdom’s agri exports.
A draft of the document was presented by the newly-appointed Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia, Nguyen Huy Tang, at a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon on November 30, ministry secretary of state Hean Vannhorn confirmed to The Post on December 1.
He pointed out that the two countries recently struck an agreement on the development of border areas, and that the new ambassador has been raising many issues related to agriculture.
Vannhorn said he was ready to consult with experts from relevant units under the ministry concerning the new deal, especially to make the most out of it for Cambodians and the economy.
“What we want is to increase farmers’ incomes and reduce the poverty of our people through the smooth flow of agricultural markets,” he said, noting that selling other items such as heavy industrial goods to Vietnam would likely not be as profitable, given the country’s proximity to the Kingdom.
Tan Monivann, an executive of Mong Reththy Investment Cambodia Oil Palm Co Ltd, advocated for the transfer of agricultural technology and techniques to the Kingdom to be included in any such agreement.
He told The Post that Vietnam is top in ASEAN and globally one of the most technologically advanced countries in the field of agriculture, especially aquaculture.
“It would be great … if we had more investment partners from Vietnam … The Vietnamese market has a greater market share in the US and a free trade agreement [FTA] with China,” he said.
Citing the National Phytosanitary Database, the ministry’s General Directorate of Agriculture reported that the Kingdom shipped out 7,131,915.04 tonnes of agricultural products in January-November, up by 3,444,288.18 tonnes or 93.40 per cent year-on-year from 3,687,626.86 tonnes, to 68 countries and territories.
Mainly sold to Vietnam and Thailand, the exports were valued at $4,435,768,905, of which milled-rice accounted for $454,480,866 and paddy was to the tune of $546,567,350.
