Cambodian exports to the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) totalled over $6.6 billion during the first eight months of 2025, an increase of nearly 10% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The RCEP is a trade agreement among the 10 ASEAN member nations, along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Established in 2012, it aims to reduce tariffs, liberalise trade in services and promote investment, particularly to help developing countries catch up with more advanced economies globally.
The agreement covers a population of about 2.2 billion people, with member countries accounting for around 30% of the world’s total GDP. The RCEP officially came into force in Cambodia on January 1, 2022.
From January to August 2025, Cambodia exported goods worth $6.63 billion to RCEP members, a 9.5% increase over the same period in 2024. The top buyers of Cambodian products among RCEP members were Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand and South Korea.
Meanwhile, Cambodia also imported about $19.72 billion worth of goods from RCEP members, a nearly 17% increase, with most imports coming from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
Overall, Cambodia’s total trade under the RCEP framework for the first 8 months of 2025 amounted to $26.35 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Commerce ministry spokesperson Pen Sovicheat told The Post that the RCEP agreement has significantly contributed to boosting Cambodia’s international trade activities by enhancing the capacity for both exports and imports among the 15 members. He added that the benefits Cambodia receives from RCEP include tariff preferences on various goods, technology transfer, skills development and job opportunities driven by foreign direct investment (FDI).
“The benefits the RCEP brings to Cambodia are substantial, not only in terms of exports but also in expanding global trade, which contributes to both import and export growth among RCEP countries,” he said.
Regarding the fact that imports exceed exports, he explained that this is not a cause for concern, as the majority of imported goods under RCEP are raw materials, components, auto parts and fuels — essential inputs used in manufacturing for re-export to international markets.
Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, noted that both bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements offer significant positive impacts on Cambodia’s economic growth by attracting foreign investors — especially large international corporations — to invest directly in the Kingdom. He added that Cambodia’s political stability, investment law and competitive labour costs make it an attractive destination for such investment.
“Whether bilateral or multilateral, every trade agreement offers mutual benefits by opening up bigger markets and encouraging more direct investment,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that some tariff revenues are lost due to the agreement, but said this is offset by increases in tax revenue and economic activity.
