CAMBODIA enjoyed a boost in trade with neighbours Thailand and Vietnam in the first two months of the year, with exports showing significant growth, according to official trade figures.
Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand rose 35.66 percent in January and February, compared to the same period last year, while the Kingdom’s trade with Vietnam grew by 54.8 percent in the first two months of 2010.
Trade with Vietnam rose to $262.7 million from US$169.7 million, according to figures by the Vietnamese Embassy.
Cambodian exports jumped 124 percent, to $52.7 million in the first two months of this year, compared to the same period last year. Vietnamese imports rose 44.2 percent, to $212 million.
The rising numbers were a reflection of increased trade and investment activities from 2009, Le Bien Cuoung, commercial counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy, said.
“We held many trade fairs in Phnom Penh, as well as Battambang province,” he said. “We also prepared many business-matching workshops, allowing traders and investors in both countries to have a chance to meet and seek partners.”
A recovery in the global economy also helped boost trade, he added.
Commerce Ministry officials were unavailable for comment Thursday.
Cambodia’s main exports were agricultural products beans, cashews, maize, paddy, soybeans and tobacco leaves ($20 million) and natural rubber ($19 million), among others.
Cambodian trade also increased significantly with Thailand for the first two months of the year, climbing to $325.26 million in total trade.
Cambodian exports more than doubled to 101.08 percent from $3.59 million to $15.26 million, according to trade figures from the Thai Embassy. Thai imports rose 33.52 percent to $330.01 million from $232.17 million.
