Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has encouraged ASEAN to expand trade within the framework of ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The Premier made the recommendation while receiving a delegation of ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) led by Ms Yang Mulia Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam, in Siem Reap provincial city this morning, prior to the opening ceremony of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings.

For her part, on behalf of the AEM delegation, Ms Yang Mulia Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin expressed her deep gratitude to Cambodia for the warm welcome, and sought the Premier’s recommendation for the success of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Siem Reap.

According to Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia’s reopening and organisation of physical meetings prove that the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer an issue. While the economic uncertainty, the Ukraine war are a concern, the economic turmoil caused by sanctions on Russia, which affects the economy not only of Europe, but also of the region, including Cambodia, is another problem, he stressed.

However, the Premier continued, this circumstance highlights the growing economic opportunities for regional trade, such as Cambodia-Vietnam, Cambodia-Thailand, Cambodia-Laos trade, as well as that between Cambodia and other countries in the region.

Mr Hun Sen thus recommended the AEM to boost trade with other countries and within the AFTA and RCEP framework.

Source: Khmer Times

• Vietnam's economy shows gradual recovery: WB's report
• Green Trade Frontiers and the EU’s Blueprint for Sustainable Agricultural Markets
• More efforts needed to maintain export growth to China: Insiders
• It is expected that there are higher orders and revenue in the second quarter from European businesses
• Harnessing Asia’s Free Trade Agreements