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Cambodia welcomes Malaysian SME trade delegation to PP
The SME Association of Malaysia touched down in Phnom Penh on Wednesday to kick off its four-day mission to discover the investment opportunities and framework that post-Covid Cambodia has to offer, led by various ministers and supported by the ambassador to Malaysia.
The delegation left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) and was welcomed by Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister with warm words about the opportunities that await both nations.
“Now is the right time to re-connect our businesses, it is the right time to re-connect our economies and it is time to explore opportunities as to how we can develop together post covid. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations – so what better way to celebrate this anniversary than to join hands and recover together.”
Despite the bumpy curtailment of Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s trade volume with Malaysia was recorded at $500 million, up 30 percent compared to 2020. As of February, 162 Malaysian investment projects worth $3.2 billion had been approved by the CDC, ranking Malaysia among the top investors of Cambodia in 2022.
After the welcome at the MFAIC, the delegation was taken to see the Royal palace, followed by a trip along the Riverside before departing for dinner. During this time, Chin Chee Seong, national secretary general of the SME Association of Malaysia, told Khmer Times, a bit more about the makeup and intentions of the delegation.
“We brought in three different categories of business: food and beverage manufacturing, construction and travel services. Some of these companies are experiencing a shortage of manpower in Malaysia, and one possible solution we are exploring is to move our factories and processing facilities into new territories. For me, Cambodia is an attractive destination due to the combination of stable politics and sustained growth, in addition to the fact that many Malaysians already abode here – so it feels like we’re close to home.”
Ding Hong Sing, president of the SME Association of Malaysia told Khmer Times that he would like to see an increase in agricultural imports from Cambodia to support Malaysia’s growing demand, and in return, believes that Malaysia’s advanced automation and refrigerated technologies could make for an attractive import to Cambodia’s emerging markets.
CM Woon, Director of TMS Software SDN, explained that he is in Phnom Penh to expand his business. “I think Cambodia is really starting to be technology savvy, with an increasing focus on e-commerce and IT solutions. I really think there’s potential for growth in IT Technology implementation here.”
Founder of the Asean-Chinese Book of Records and Business Awards, Amy Seok and fellow chairlady Jess Ling JS say they are “on a mission to develop good friendships and networks with local Cambodian business people so that we can welcome them as contestants to our award ceremony and collaborate on future projects.”
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501065844/cambodia-welcomes-malaysian-sme-trade-delegation-to-pp/