MR RUZAIMI MOHAMAD Deputy Chief of Mission/Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Malaysia Phnom Penh
Assalamua’laikum, Salam Sejahtera, and Chum Reap Suor,
This year marks the 61st anniversary of the independence of Malaysia and also the anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia and the Kingdom of Cambodia bilateral relations which started in 1957.
From there, Malaysia-Cambodia relation has been cemented further through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Cambodia joined the association in 1999. Both countries have benefitted a lot from the cooperation in various ASEAN initiatives and other international fora.
The Embassy is very proud to pronounce that the bilateral relation has also been helped by hundreds of humanitarian assistance groups like NGOs, university and school students, academicians, doctors, youth groups, as well as volunteers who provide various assistance either in groups or individually.
Many Malaysians are involved in providing social and humanitarian assistance to the needy especially in the rural or remote areas of Cambodia. We believe, in the long run, the assistance can help to improve the economic well-being of the people in the villages who are mainly fishing and farming communities.
This proved that Malaysia is a reliable friend aside being a resourceful ‘partner in development’ for Cambodia. For the last 10 years more than 1,000 Cambodians especially government officials have benefited from the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) where various trainings and courses are offered to help improve the related working skills and experience.
The formation of new government following the recently concluded general elections is expected to give the opportunity for both leaders in both countries to explore new and excited areas of cooperation. It will be interesting to see how fresh ideas are injected to strengthen and to improve bilateral relation that will move both countries together to a brighter future.
Malaysia, through its Embassy in Phnom Penh will keep on promoting active trade between the two nations in order to expand the business network in the two countries. It is encouraging to note that the number of Malaysian companies exploring the market in Cambodia continue to increase, taking advantage of Cambodia’s good business environment.
This proved the high confidence level of Malaysian businessmen and companies in Cambodia’s economy, boosted by the peacefulness and conducive security situation. In 2017, the total trade between Malaysia and Cambodia reached USD455.7 million, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Meanwhile, in terms of investment, up to December 2017, the total value of Malaysia’s investments in Cambodia has reached USD 3.39 billion.
As business opportunities in Cambodia is abundance, the Embassy will intensify the effort to encourage Malaysian companies to increase or to make new investments in this country. In relation to that, the Embassy also welcomes inquiries related to products, services and expertise that Malaysia can offer.
On this joyous celebration, I would like to take this opportunity to wish for the continuous peace, development and prosperity of the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and for the continuing warm and cordial relation between Malaysians and Cambodians.
Finally, to all Malaysians in Cambodia I would like to wish you Selamat Menyambut Hari Kebangsaan dan Selamat Hari Malaysia. With the “semangat Malaysia baru”, may all your ventures in Cambodia be very successful and bring a lot of benefit for both Malaysia and Cambodia.
Thank you.
