Cambodia, UK Officials Discuss Expanding Trade and Investment Ties

LONDON, May 22, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their growing economic partnership during a meeting at Westminster, with officials pledging to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and vocational development.

Ambassador Tuot Panha and Meas Soksensan, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, on May 18 met UK MP Matt Western, the UK Trade Envoy for Cambodia, at the Palace of Westminster. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations and exchanged views on strengthening economic collaboration.

The Cambodian delegation highlighted opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture and services, while Western underscored the UK’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s economic transition through predictable, rules‑based trade.

Cambodia–UK trade has expanded steadily in recent years. In 2025, total trade in goods and services reached more than £1.1 billion (US$1 billion), up 25 percent from the previous year. Cambodia exported £939 million worth of goods — mainly garments, footwear, bicycles and agricultural products — while UK exports to Cambodia rose to £159 million, including machinery, pharmaceuticals and education services.

Cambodia benefits from the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which grants duty‑free, quota‑free access for most goods until at least 2032. Officials say the scheme is crucial as Cambodia prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country status in 2029, which may affect preferential access to global markets.

The meeting at Westminster follows the Cambodia–UK Joint Trade and Investment Forum held in Phnom Penh in January 2025, which focused on market access, regulatory cooperation and investment promotion.