Sousdey Indonesia 2025 Strengthens Cambodia-Indonesia Ties

The Sousdey Indonesia 2025 exhibition was officially inaugurated on June 14, 2025, by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Cambodia, H.E. Santo Darmosumarto, and the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, H.E. Boun Sarakmony.

The two-day event (June 14-15) is being held at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh, following the success of Sousdey Indonesia 2024, which featured 105 exhibitors and attracted more than 4,000 visitors. The previous edition also recorded retail transactions totaling USD 42,704 and potential deals exceeding USD 2 million.

This year’s exhibition marks another milestone in the growing relationship between the two Southeast Asian nations. Over the past two years, bilateral trade volume has exceeded USD 1 billion, underscoring the strength of economic cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto emphasised the significance of the event:

Sousdey Indonesia 2025 is a modern event aimed at strengthening Indonesia–Cambodia partnerships with a focus on economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and business opportunities. We hope that Sousdey Indonesia 2025 will showcase the strength of our partnership, not only between the governments of Indonesia and Cambodia but also between the peoples of our two countries.

“Not only between the businesses of Indonesia and Cambodia, but also among multinational companies in the region,” he added. “In the end, our common goal is one – to ensure that Southeast Asia remains a powerful engine for global economic growth.”

H.E. Boun Sarakmony echoed similar sentiments, stating that Cambodia and Indonesia share more than geographical proximity; they are bound by a shared vision for peace, prosperity, sustainable development, and greater regional integration through frameworks such as ASEAN, ASEAN Plus One FTAs, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

“More importantly, the mutual relations between our two countries have been reinforced through frequent high-level visits, including those by Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Senate and former Prime Minister of Cambodia,” he said. “These visits serve as a strong catalyst for diplomatic cooperation.”

He noted that bilateral trade has continued to grow steadily:

Indonesia is one of our key trading partners in the region. Last year, our trade exceeded USD 1 billion. In just the first five months of this year, it has already reached approximately USD 470 million – reflecting the resilience of our economies and the effectiveness of our excellent bilateral cooperation, including initiatives like today’s exhibition.

“I am confident that this event offers a golden opportunity for the private sectors of both nations to explore new trade and investment potentials, and to promote greater exchange of ideas, knowledge, and innovation,” the Secretary of State concluded.

Sousdey Indonesia 2025 blends trade and tourism promotion, featuring Indonesian arts, culture, traditional cuisine, and education innovations. It provides a platform for businesses to showcase products, connect with partners, and explore opportunities, alongside thematic sessions on trade and logistics.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including product exhibitions, tourism promotion, an education fair and talk show, cultural performances, fashion shows, and a culinary festival.

This year, the embassy selected 53 exhibitors – 29 from Indonesia and 24 from Cambodia – across sectors such as fashion, food and beverage (F&B), furniture, houseware, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Six leading Indonesian universities are also participating, offering study opportunities for Cambodian students.