CAMBODIA’S trade with Thailand has increased over 70 percent in the first eight months of this year, compared to the same period of 2009.

Kriegn Kria, the deputy director of the Thai Business Council of Cambodia, said trade was strengthening along improving bilateral relations and economic growth.

Two-way trade increased 70 percent to US$1.79 billion this year to the end of August, from $1.052 billion for the same period in 2009, according to statistics obtained from the Thai Embassy’s foreign trade promotion office yesterday.

Ministry of Commerce Secretary of State Chan Nora said he agreed that the improved political situation – which has seen ambassadors reinstated following the resignation of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to the Cambodian government – was creating a beneficial atmosphere for traders.

But he added that international trade had continued despite the dispute.

Total trade between the two countries fell 22.16 percent to an annualised $1.658 billion in 2009, from $2.130 billion in 2008, according to FTPO

figures.