Vietnam, Cambodia seek ways to boost border trade

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Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai and Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak agreed on the remarks at their working session in Phnom Penh on May 10 during which they examined ways to accelerate the construction of Da market – the first model border one between the two countries – is set for completion at the end of this year.

The two ministries said they will suggest building more border markets as part of the cooperation programme between their governments and submit this plan at the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural and Scientific-Technological Cooperation in Hanoi on May 16.

They discussed issues relating to the organisation of a conference developing border trade in 2018-2019 in Cambodia this year and the implementation of a project developing border trade through 2025 with a vision for 2035.

Regarding the conference on developing bilateral border trade in 2018-2019, Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce will send a diplomatic note to Vietnam informing the specific time, location and relevant expenses of the event.

On the project on Vietnam-Cambodia border trade development to 2025 with a vision for 2035 drafted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, Minister Pan Sorasak said Cambodia will study the project and exchange with Vietnam to enable two sides to finalize a draft one soon and sign for approval.

The working delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is set to make a fact-finding tour of the construction site of the Da market to inspect its progress on May 10-11.

Vietnam and Cambodia are maintaining good neighbourhood, traditional friendship and all-around cooperation. Last year’s bilateral trade hit US$3.8 billion, up 25% over a year earlier.
The two countries are destined to promote border trade activities towards US$5 billion bilateral trade target in near future.