Arya News - The MoU aims to deepen private‑sector cooperation and unlock new trade and investment opportunities, as two‑way commerce topped $700 million in the first seven months of 2026
PHNOM PENH – Trade and investment cooperation between Cambodia and South Korea is expected to improve further after private-sector representatives from the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), as bilateral trade exceeded $700 million in the first seven months of 2026.
An MoU on establishing a framework to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation was signed in Phnom Penh on September 3, by Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) president and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Cambodia chair Kith Meng and Korea Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (KOCHAM) president Kim Seong Su.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kith Meng noted that Cambodia is increasingly recognised as a destination with a favourable business environment and stable macroeconomic conditions for investment across all sectors, while the government has introduced numerous incentive policies for investors of all nationalities.
“This memorandum of understanding marks an important step towards stronger cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries and has been established to protect and attract investment from South Korea,” he said.
Seong Su described the MoU as a historic milestone.
“This agreement will not only help attract more South Korean investors to make direct investments in Cambodia, but will also help protect existing South Korean investments in the country,” he said.
According to the CCC, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in key areas, including the sharing of trade data, regulatory updates and economic policy information, business matching, trade missions, business forums, addressing challenges and providing mutual support.
Royal Academy of Cambodia economist Hong Vanak told The Post on September 3 that trade between Cambodia and South Korea had grown steadily, even during the Covid-19 crisis, when countries imposed strict border restrictions.
He said bilateral trade gained further momentum after the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force on December 1, 2022, as well as following Cambodian consumers’ boycott of Thai products.
“The Cambodian government has continued to promote and encourage South Korean investors to invest and conduct more business in Cambodia, particularly in high-potential sectors such as modern agriculture, food processing, the automotive industry, electronics and digital technology,” he said.
According to Vanak, trade between Cambodia and South Korea covers almost every sector, ranging from textile products and electronic components to automobiles, agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and daily consumer goods.
The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) reported that bilateral trade between Cambodia and South Korea reached $725.86 million between January and July 2026, an increase of 41.2% compared with the same period in 2025.
Cambodian exports to South Korea totalled $257.43 million, up 43.2% year-on-year, while imports totalled $468.43 million, an increase of 40.1%.