Senior Cambodian and Canadian officials have discussed ways to strengthen and expand their bilateral cooperation in investment and diplomatic relations, as well as people-to-people ties, as the trade balance between the two countries reached over $1 billion in the first three quarters of 2025.
Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) met with Ottawa MP Yasir Naqvi, Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, in Toronto, Canada, on October 29.
Chanthol is currently leading a Cambodian delegation who are hoping to attract investment from Canada.
He briefed Naqvi on phase one of the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which aims to improve the Kingdom’s business environment and encourage investment through a new Investment Law. He noted that investors in Cambodia can expect substantial returns.
Chanthol also reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting negotiations on the ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA), which he described as an important catalyst for the economic growth of participating countries.
“We invite Canadian investors to explore Cambodia’s investment potential, environment and opportunities, particularly in technology, green industries and infrastructure,” he said.
Naqvi highlighted the growing bilateral trade relations between the two, as well as with other ASEAN countries, within the framework of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
He pledged to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties and discussed Cambodia’s role within the ASEAN–Canada cooperation framework.
According to the CDC, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and investment cooperation in a sustainable and mutually beneficial manner, while continuing to build trust and strengthen their bilateral partnership.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), Canada is Cambodia’s sixth-largest trading partner, after China, the US, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan.
From January to September 2025, total trade between the two reached $1.02 billion, a 14.4% increase over the same period in 2024. Exports amounted to $972.92 million (up 14.6%), while imports were $52.51 million (up 11%).
Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), told The Post that Canada is a promising market for Cambodian goods, with exports increasing almost every year. To promote trade, the CCC has already established a representative office in Canada.
He explained that the CCC office in Canada plays a key role in promoting Cambodian products to Canadian consumers and providing information to attract direct Canadian investment.
“We hope that, through the joint efforts of the government and the private sector, exports to Canada will continue to grow,” he said.
According to Heng, the Kingdom’s main exports to Canada include garments, travel goods, footwear, bicycles and electronic components, while Canada exports electronics and automobiles to Cambodia.
He noted that the CCC has six representative offices in four countries: Japan, Canada (in Montreal and Toronto), the US (in Long Beach) and Australia (in Melbourne and Sydney).
