German Consulate Opens In Siem Reap - Ambassador Wants To Promote Economic Relations
The first German consulate in Siem Reap was opened in June 2024 by German Ambassador to Cambodia Stefan Messerer and Siem Reap's Deputy Governor Yun Linne. There have also been key Cambodian visits to Europe, the announcement of the New Sustainable Trade Integration Cambodia (GATE), and commitments from the German Ambassador to continued economic relations.
The German Embassy is based in Phnom Penh, and the new consulate will “extend services not only to Siem Reap but also to its nearby provinces, such as Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces” said Messerer.
“I believe that with the opening of this new office, which will be working hand in hand with the German Embassy in Phnom Penh, an important step to further deepen and expand the relations between Cambodia and Germany has been made. […] But there is – of course – room for improvement, expansion and above all diversification for more qualified production – and, ultimately, for German direct investments in Cambodia,” added the German Ambassador.
In mid-June 2024, Torsten Münther was announced as the newly appointed and first Honorary Consul of Germany in Cambodia (feature Photo) and he has pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries through economic development and cultural exchange.
New Sustainable Trade Integration Cambodia (GATE) Launched
In July 2024, Messer, discussed bilateral relations and cooperation with the Cambodian Prime Minister and added that the German government will continue to support Cambodia's progress and development in alignment with the Royal Government's Pentagon-Phase I strategy and will encourage German investors to invest more in Cambodia and promoting trade between the two countries.
He said that Germany will continue to support development in health and education by providing high-level bachelor's scholarships to Cambodian students for continuing education in Germany.
- A newly funded project called Sustainable Trade Integration Cambodia (GATE) was announced in partnership with the European Union (EU), and which Germany has co-funded for Cambodia's Sustainable Economic Development, Training and Decent Jobs. The primary objective is to enhance the capacity of Cambodia’s private sector to meet international standards and the project will run until 2028
Cambodian Commerce Delegation Visited Germany
In mid-June 2024 a delegation led by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the CDC, H.E. Sun Chanthol visited Europe, which included a stop in Germany, to promote investment opportunities in Cambodia.
The Cambodian government has identified some key sectors of high relevance to European investors; automotive and electronics, agriculture and agro-processing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, as well as tourism and hospitality.
The delegation in Germany, led by Buon Sarakmony, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce and the Permanent Vice Chair of the Cambodia Competition Commission (CCC), participated in an official study visit to the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), Germany’s competition agency, in Bonn and visited several companies in and around the city of Nuremberg, to discuss opportunities and strengthen economic ties between both countries
Germany has already provided approximately 540 million euros in development cooperation to Cambodia.