Cambodia Continues To Diversify Global Diplomatic Missions To Broaden Trade Gowth - Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh Planned
The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) established a Canada liaison in May 2022, and following a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in October 2024, there are plans for a Canadian embassy to be opened in the Cambodian capital while Cambodia will look to establish a presence in Canada.
The two leaders met in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summits and the intentions are to strengthen diplomatic relations and trade cooperation between the two countries, and it's hopeful the establishment of an embassy will lead to more cultural, economic, and diplomatic exchanges.
An official statement from the Canadian Prime Minister stated, "The leaders discussed the growing ties between the two countries, including the upgrade of Canada’s office in Phnom Penh to a full Canadian embassy. Prime Minister Trudeau also announced plans for a Team Canada Trade Mission to Cambodia in 2025 under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The prime ministers discussed how the deepening trade link between Canada and Cambodia would benefit from a Canada-ASEAN free-trade agreement, helping drive prosperity and create good jobs in both our countries and across the region."
It was reported in 2022 that the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) was looking to officially establish a Canada liaison in Montreal but a presence was established in Toronto.
Cambodian and Canadian Trade
Canada is currently Cambodia’s 7th biggest trade partner confirmed Hun Manet and based on data from Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade between the two nations reached USD $895.98 million from January to September 2024 (Cambodian exports to Canada were valued at USD $848.68 million of the total exchange). The total trade volume represents an increase of 28.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
Cambodian exports consisted of garments, bags, footwear, electronic components, electrical appliances and bicycles, while imports were mainly electronic products. Canada’s Market Access Initiative for least-developed countries benefits Cambodia by providing quota-free and duty-free access to the Canadian market.
A formalised agreement in the form of a MoU was signed to promote joint venture projects across agriculture, renewable energy, and technology in September 2023. The MoU was signed between the Cambodian Duke Association and Excellence Industrielle Saint-Laurent (FISL).
The agreement is hoped to accelerate partnerships and joint ventures across industries, including agro-industry, medical innovation, tourism, and advanced technologies.
Cambodia's Global Diplomatic Presence
As of 2020, Cambodia had 25 embassies, 7 consulates, and 3 other diplomatic representations, totalling 35 diplomatic missions in the country with most of these located in Phnom Penh. Since 2020, the Swiss Consular Agency in Cambodia closed (in 2024).
As many as 38 Cambodia's diplomatic representations are overseas, with an estimated 25 embassies, 10 consulates, and 3 other diplomatic missions across approximately 33 countries globally.