TRADE between Cambodia and Hong Kong rose 8.6 percent in the first four months of 2010, compared to the same period last year, according to figures obtained from Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKDTC) Monday.

Bilateral trade reached US$173 million in the first four months, up from $159 million for the period 2009. Hong Kong exported $168 million in goods to Cambodia to the end of April, an 8.6 percent increase from $154.7 million over the first four months of last year. Some $5 million was shipped the other way, growing 7.8 percent over the last 12 months.

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Director General Nguon Meng Tech said that the growth was in line with the progress of world economy.

“Our trade with Hong Kong won’t be facing problems, as investors are mostly doing business in our garment factories for export to foreign markets,” he said.

Cambodia’s main exports to Hong Kong were footwear, garment products, unprocessed wood, and rice, while Hong Kong mainly shipped knitted and woven fabrics, telecommunications equipment, yarn, and plastics articles to the Kingdom, according to the statistics.

Ministry of Commerce Foreign Trade Department director general Sok Sopheak could not be reached for comment Monday, but said late last month that bilateral trade is improving so far this year.

Trade between Cambodia and Hong Kong plummeted 22.2 percent last year, falling to $480 million.