Cambodia and Malaysia Agree to Expand Agricultural Trade Beyond Rice

Cambodia and Malaysia have agreed to expand trade in agricultural products beyond rice, focusing on cashews, aquaculture, and agricultural fertilizers, aiming to achieve mutual complementarity. This agreement was announced during the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the 3rd Cambodia-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan. The meeting took place from August 3rd to 4th, 2026. During a courtesy call on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn congratulated Malaysia on its successful tenure as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister's constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute. He also conveyed greetings from Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei. Both sides highly valued the progress of bilateral relations in all fields. Trade and investment were recognized as key pillars of economic cooperation. Leaders noted with pleasure the increase in trade volume and agreed to enhance cooperation in food processing, logistics, the digital economy, and renewable energy, as well as promote cross-border energy cooperation and organize events such as trade and investment forums, exhibitions, and business matching. In defense and security, both parties welcomed the outcomes of the first Army Working Group meeting between the Cambodian and Malaysian armies and the visit of the Malaysian Armed Forces Commander to Cambodia. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking, technological fraud, and drug trafficking, through information sharing and capacity building. Furthermore, cooperation in education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), labor migration, and the protection of migrant workers was agreed upon. The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister also thanked the Malaysian side for the care and protection provided to Cambodian workers and students residing and studying in Malaysia. Progress in the tourism sector was also noted, with an agreement to strengthen cooperation in aviation by increasing flights between the two countries to boost people-to-people exchanges. Discussions also delved into various sectors including Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, climate change, disaster management, science and technology, information and broadcasting, health, urbanization, public service, and culture. The meeting concluded with the signing of the Minutes of the 3rd JCBC meeting, and an agreement to host the 4th JCBC meeting in Cambodia in 2028. This marks a significant step in deepening relations ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2027. Source: CEN Cambodia