Cambodia Approves Amendment to ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.27,2025) — Cambodia has approved an amendment to the Free Trade Agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Hong Kong, China, aimed at improving trade facilitation through updated rules of origin. The Council of Ministers endorsed the amendment during a plenary session on Sept. 26.

The revision focuses on Chapter 3 of the agreement, which governs rules of origin. It introduces newly negotiated product-specific rules for additional goods, designed to simplify and enhance the application of origin requirements.

Officials said the update is expected to benefit ASEAN member states by increasing transparency and efficiency in the rules of origin, encouraging greater use of the ASEAN-Hong Kong FTA, and making it easier for traders — especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises — to comply with origin rules.

The changes are also intended to improve trade facilitation and ensure smoother, faster movement of goods across the region.

The ASEAN-Hong Kong FTA, which took effect in 2019, promotes economic cooperation and reduces trade barriers between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries.