Cambodia prepares for key economic talks with Türkiye, eyes expanded bilateral cooperation

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 22, 2025) — Cambodia is gearing up for the 4th Session of the Cambodia–Türkiye Joint Economic Commission, scheduled for Nov. 3–4 in Ankara, with plans to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, and emerging sectors.

His Excellency PENN Sovicheat, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday to finalize Cambodia’s position and review the draft Agreed Minutes. The agenda spans a wide range of areas, including customs, industry, science and innovation, telecommunications, halal certification, standardization, SMEs, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, transport, health, education, and tourism.

Türkiye is one of Cambodia’s growing non-traditional trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching over $130 million in 2024, driven by Cambodian exports of garments, footwear, and agricultural products, as well as imports of machinery, chemicals, and processed goods. The two countries signed their first economic cooperation framework in 2014 and have since expanded ties through diplomatic visits, business forums, and technical exchanges.

The Joint Economic Commission serves as the primary mechanism for advancing bilateral initiatives, resolving trade barriers, and promoting investment opportunities. Cambodian officials said the upcoming session will also explore new areas such as the digital economy, green technology, and halal market access, reflecting both countries’ strategic ambitions.