Cambodia is looking to expand its agricultural exports into the Middle East.

Minister of Commerce Sun Chanthol will today complete a three-day visit to Kuwait. The minister’s visit is aimed at opening new avenues for Cambodian-made agricultural goods to enter the Middle East region.

“We want to open the new market in the Middle East because we have not focused too much on the region in past times. And we want to expand our export destinations,” said Ken Ratha, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce.

“It will also to pave the way for our private sector because the Ministry of Commerce also set up a department to handle Middle East related issues, which will facilitate commercial relationships, similar to that of the European Union,” he said.

Kuwaiti media reported earlier this week that Khaled Al-Khaled, a member of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with Chanthol on Monday.

“Cambodian keenness on encouraging foreign investment has positive effects on Kuwaiti investors and prompts them to carry out projects there,” Al-Khaled was quoted saying.

During the visit, Chanthol also met with Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, prime minister of the state of Kuwait, and Abdul Muhsen Medej Mohammad Al Medej, deputy prime minister and minister of commerce and industry.

According to Kuwait’s Central Statistical Bureau, Cambodian exports to Kuwait reached $4.84 million in the second quarter of 2014.