CDC, AmCham Prepare 2nd Public‑Private Breakfast Briefing

PHNOM PENH, May 18, 2026 (KPT) — Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)and the American Chamber of Commerce are preparing for the second Public‑Private Sector Breakfast Briefing, scheduled for early June, officials said Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), met with AmCham President Devin Barta and a delegation to review preparations. AmCham is coordinating and organising the event.

The meeting discussed agenda items and logistics, with Chanthol urging organisers to define clear, targeted discussion topics that respond to global economic trends, highlight challenges and seek collective solutions. He said the briefing should ensure real investment opportunities for business leaders.

Barta pledged to make the programme more vibrant and proactive, stressing that the briefing is a vital platform for direct dialogue between government leaders and private sector representatives.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and the United States jumped nearly 40 percent in the first quarter of 2026, driven by robust export growth, official data showed Saturday.

The General Department of Customs and Excise said total trade reached 3.48 billion dollars from January to March, compared with 2.5 billion in the same period last year.

Exports accounted for the bulk, rising 38.4 percent to 3.35 billion dollars, while imports from the U.S. climbed 67.9 percent to 126 million. Key shipments included garments, travel goods, bicycles and other consumer products, reflecting strong demand from one of Cambodia’s largest markets.

Commerce Ministry spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the United States remains crucial for garment, footwear and travel goods, sustaining growth amid global uncertainties.

But Ky Sereyvath, an economic specialist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, cautioned against heavy reliance on a single market, urging diversification.

In 2025, total trade between the two countries reached 13.14 billion dollars, up more than 29 percent year on year, underscoring the growing importance of the economic relationship.

The June event is expected to serve as a catalyst for improving Cambodia’s investment climate, making it more flexible and facilitating smoother operations for investors. Both sides committed to ensuring its success and strengthening strategic public‑private partnerships to support sustainable and inclusive socio‑economic development.