Phnom Penh: The Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the EU-German Gate, will create an Export Lab to boost the country’s exports to international markets. On Jan. 27 in Phnom Penh, H.E. SAMHENG Bora, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce and Chairman of the Export Promotion Task Force, met with representatives of the EU-German Gate to discuss the collaborative efforts to promote exports of Cambodia’s high-potential products and the establishment of an Export Lab.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Export Lab is intended to provide Cambodian merchants and exporters with access to capacity-building programmes and experience-sharing sessions on issues related to exports to the European and ASEAN markets, with the goal of promoting exports and enhancing Cambodia’s competitiveness in the international markets.

The meeting also discussed necessary arrangements for Cambodia’s participation and announcement to Cambodian businesses and exporters who may be interested in joining Anuga 2025, which will be taking place on Oct. 4-8, 2025 in Germany.

Last year, Cambodia’s international trade was valued at US$54.74 billion, a year-on-year increase by 16 percent, pointed out a recent report from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia. The Kingdom exported US$26.19 billion worth of goods to foreign markets in 2024, up 15.7 percent, and imported US$28.54 billion worth of goods, up 18 percent.

China, Vietnam, and the U.S. were Cambodia’s biggest partners during the period, with a trade value of US$15.18 billion, US$10.18 billion, and US$7.78 billion, respectively. Cambodia’s main exported products are garments, machinery, electrical equipment, footwear products, leather goods, grain, furniture, rubber, fruits, vegetables, pearls, toys, and textiles, and her major imports include medicines and supplements, consumables, and food and beverages.