An Giang (VNA) – A trade promotion conference was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in collaboration with the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, in An Giang province on October 17, in efforts to foster economic cooperation and achieve the trade target of 20 billion USD.
According to the MoIT, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia have been reinforced across all fields over the recent past. Notably, collaboration in economy, trade, and investment has made remarkable strides, helping elevate the relationship to a trusted, stable, and sustainable partnership.
Last year, total trade between the two countries reached approximately 10.2 billion USD, a 3% increase from 2023. In the first eight months of 2025, the figure already approached 8 billion USD.
Director of the MoIT’s Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu said that Vietnam is among the top five foreign investors in the neighbouring country, with over 210 valid projects worth more than 2.9 billion USD. Vietnamese investment focuses on agriculture, energy, building materials, border trade, and logistics.
Upgraded transport infrastructure, seaports, and border economic zones in Vietnam have also facilitated trade connectivity with Cambodia and other ASEAN markets, he noted.
Phu affirmed that bilateral economic and trade cooperation not only delivers tangible economic benefits but also reflects their enduring friendship, sustainable cooperation, and mutual development. With strategic vision, an increasingly favourable trade and investment environment, and proactive engagement from businesses on both sides, economic cooperation will continue to be a bright spot in the comprehensive relationship between the two countries.
Over the years, the two ministries have closely coordinated to organise trade and investment promotion programmes such as Vietnamese goods fairs in Phnom Penh, business-to-business networking events, and border trade and investment forums. These efforts have expanded market access, increased trade flows, and strengthened mutual understanding among enterprises, thereby promoting sustainable production and business linkages aligned with regional and global integration trends.
Undersecretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce Tith Rithipol laid stress on the robust friendship between the two countries, stating that enhanced trade and investment ties play a crucial role in driving economic growth and improving people’s livelihoods in both countries.
He called on the Vietnamese businesses to invest more in Cambodian sectors with growth potential and high added value such as automotive manufacturing, modern agriculture, food processing, electronics, digital technology, fintech, tourism, education, transport, logistics, and the creative industries.
Participants in the conference discussed the growing opportunities for Vietnam – Cambodia economic cooperation amidst global shifts towards digital transformation, green development, and regional value chain integration. To seize these opportunities, they suggested stronger reform in trade promotion, balancing traditional and digital approaches to create a more flexible, effective, and sustainable platform.
Business communities on both sides recommended that management agencies continue to refine institutions, simplify procedures, improve the investment climate, and strengthen coordination in managing border gates and trade.
Leaders from border provinces emphasised the importance of digital transformation and cross-border e-commerce, while stressing the need for harmonious development of border transport and logistics infrastructure, particularly in An Giang, Tay Ninh, and Long An, which are identified as critical nodes in developing the Vietnam – Cambodia supply chain.
The MoIT announced plans to work with the Cambodian ministry and southern localities to pen a joint action plan for 2025–2027, as well as support businesses with market information, trade capacity improvement, and e-commerce and logistics development. It will also consider carrying out an annual Vietnam – Cambodia trade promotion programme, trade weeks, expos, and business forums in Phnom Penh, An Giang, and Ho Chi Minh City, in pursuit of the 20 billion USD trade target./.
