A Cambodian official has requested that Japan consider increasing cooperation and support for the least developed ASEAN countries through the provision of technical assistance and training, saying that Cambodia would benefit from the vision and strategy for the growth of ASEAN-Japan economic integration over the next 50 years.

Commerce ministry secretary of state Rath Saravuth made the remarks as he met with Nobuo Kiriyama, deputy director-general for trade policy, at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, on April 21.

Saravuth also congratulated the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations and thanked the government and people of Japan for their cooperation and support for Cambodia's socio-economic development.

“We also welcome the establishment of a digital centre at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). We expect the centre to improve Cambodia-Japan cooperation. I also ask that Kiriyama encourage more Japanese investment in Cambodia,” he said.

The commerce ministry said that Kiriyama presented an update and concept papers for the Japanese initiative “ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision and Future Design and Action Plan”, the vision and strategy for the growth of ASEAN-Japan economic integration over the next 50 years.

Saravuth said that the Young Business Leaders’ Summit and Gen-Z Business Leaders’ Summit that will be held in December aim to establish a network between ASEAN and Japan Young Entrepreneurs and the digital centre at ERIA.

“Japan remains committed to strengthening and expanding economic and trade cooperation in bilateral and regional frameworks,” he added.

The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) said that in the first three months of this year, trade volume between Cambodia and Japan reached over $456 million, down almost five percent on the same period last year.