Arya News - Key topics discussed during the meeting included taxation, environment, trade, logistics, energy and public security.
PHNOM PENH – Chea Vuthy, secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), has noted the that the government and people of Japan have consistently supported and stood alongside the Royal Government and people of Cambodia at every stage of socio-economic development. Over the past 30 years, Japan has evolved from being a major aid donor to becoming one of Cambodia’s key economic and trade partners.
His delivered his remarks during the 31st Cambodia–Japan Joint Committee Meeting under the Agreement between the Kingdom of Cambodia and Japan for the Liberalisation, Promotion and Protection of Investment, held at the CDC headquarters on February 23.
Key topics discussed during the meeting included taxation, environment, trade, logistics, energy and public security.
The meeting was co-chaired by Vuthy and Ueno Atsushi, Japanese ambassador to Cambodia.
Attendees included representatives from government institutions, the Japanese Business Association in Cambodia (JBAC), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and around 200 representatives of Japanese companies operating in Cambodia.
Vuthy welcomed the Japanese delegation and expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Japan for their continued support throughout Cambodia’s socio-economic development journey.
“Over the past three decades, Japan has transformed from a major aid donor into a key economic partner that has continuously mobilised and promoted direct investment from Japan to Cambodia,” he said.
He noted that the dialogue mechanism was established in 2009 to address challenges and further improve the business and investment environment in Cambodia.
Vuthy emphasised that under the investment agreement, both sides have consistently worked to strengthen economic ties.
The agreement was signed by former Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on June 14, 2007, and came into effect the following year.
“I am optimistic that the issues raised on this occasion will be carefully discussed and addressed by all relevant stakeholders to ensure a favourable environment for maintaining existing Japanese investments, encouraging expansion and attracting new Japanese investment to diversify both capital sources and industries,” he said.
Ueno thanked the CDC for its ongoing facilitation and responsiveness to the concerns of Japanese investors.
He also expressed support and appreciation for the Cambodian government’s efforts in key areas, including cracking down on online scams — an initiative that has strengthened investor confidence and security — and resolving tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border through diplomatic means, which has been crucial in restoring and enhancing the investment and logistics environment.
Japan is one of Cambodia’s major trading partners. In 2025, total trade between the two countries reached $2.53 billion, an increase of 17.1 per cent over 2024. Cambodia exported $1.57 billion worth of goods to Japan, up 11.9 per cent, while imports amounted to $956.23 million, up 27 per cent. Japan is Cambodia’s fifth-largest trading partner after China, the US, Vietnam and Thailand.
Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, told The Post on February 23 that Japan is a technologically advanced country with strong industrial and manufacturing sectors, while Cambodia has a growing agricultural sector.
Therefore, he explained, the two countries can complement each other through the exchange of the goods that each country lacks. In addition to agricultural produce, Cambodia currently exports textile products to the Japanese market.
He noted that bilateral trade volume is expected to grow further, as both countries are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Heng added that beyond goods trade, many Japanese investors are currently capital in diverse sectors in Cambodia, including shopping malls, commercial centres, construction and agriculture. In addition to trade, many Cambodian citizens are also working in Japan.
“The excellent relationship between the governments and peoples of both countries will help increase trade volume and attract more Japanese investors to Cambodia,” he said.
According to Heng, the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce has also established a representative office in Japan to further promote bilateral trade and attract more Japanese investors.