The Ministry of Commerce hopes that Cambodia–Malaysia bilateral trade will soon reach $1 billion, as the governments and private sectors of both countries continue their efforts to enhance cooperation in all areas, especially trade exchanges and more Malaysian direct investment. The current 2025 trade balance between the two nations stands at almost $900 million.
Sim Sokheng, ministry secretary of state, shared the goal during the November 26 opening ceremony of the Malaysia–Cambodia Business Seminar. The event is being organised by the Malaysian state trade promotor MATRADE, in collaboration with the Malaysian embassy.
The seminar is also supported by the Malaysian Business Chamber in Cambodia (MBCC), the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the Federation of Associations for SMEs of Cambodia (FASMEC) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC).
Sokheng noted that Malaysia was one of the earliest foreign investors to enter Cambodia and engage in trade since the early 1990s. The strong relationship between both governments and private sectors has contributed to a steady increase in bilateral trade value. MATRADE has played a significant role in creating a favourable environment by facilitating meetings between investors from both countries. He added that in a time of global uncertainty, strengthening cooperation is truly essential.
He highlighted the Cambodian government’s goal of elevating trade relations with Malaysia to $1 billion in the near future. At the same time, Cambodia hopes to see more Malaysian investors entering the country as it strives to become a high-income nation by 2050.
“We want to push the trade volume between our two countries to reach 1 billion as soon as possible. Therefore, we must enhance our trade exchange,” he said.
He added that the commerce ministry will continue to support efforts to strengthen this bilateral trade cooperation.
According to Sokheng, in order to create a better and more convenient environment for investors, the Cambodian government is implementing various reforms, such as improving the investment legal framework, simplifying company/business registration procedures, and reducing complex administrative processes to make foreign investment simpler.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reports that Malaysia is Cambodia’s 10th largest trading partner. In the first 10 months of 2025, bilateral trade reached $895.52 million, an increase of 25.2% over the same period in 2024. Of this, Malaysia imports totalled $777.4 million, up 28.5%, while exports were $118.12 million, up 7.4%.
Mazlan Harun, director of the Export Promotion & Market Access Division at MATRADE, also noted that the seminar aims to strengthen Malaysia–Cambodia bilateral trade and investment relations. It also seeks to provide insights into business opportunities, market information and promote potential cooperation between both countries.
He emphasised that as ASEAN member states with strong diplomatic and trade relations, the trade value between Cambodia and Malaysia saw a remarkable increase in 2024. Major Malaysian exports to Cambodia include fuel, apparel products, iron, minerals and chemicals. Cambodia’s main exports to Malaysia include garments and footwear.
According to MATRADE, the seminar also featured business-matching sessions between Cambodian investors and nine Malaysian companies representing various sectors, with the aim of promoting business opportunities, trade and market expansion.
In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totalled $865.52 million, an increase of 36.9% compared to 2023. Malaysian imports reached $718.13 million, up 36.2%, while exports were $147.39 million, up 40.3%, according to the GDCE.
