Manila: Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this afternoon encouraged the Filipino businessmen to further explore the opportunities for investment in Cambodia.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in his opening remarks at the Philippines-Cambodia Business Forum in Manila as part of his two-day (Feb. 10-11) official visit to the Philippines, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said Cambodia is small but with big heart and happy to welcome all foreign investors.

‘The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to diversifying trade and investment, and leveraging comparative advantages, including robust infrastructure development initiatives, enhanced regional connectivity, free trade agreements, skilled workforce, and dynamic domestic market. Cambodia also offers a range of attractive investment opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,’ the Premier said.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet laid stress on some key sectors for investment such as milled rice, tourism, including direct flights, and skills development.

For his part, Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN-BAC Cambodia, said bilateral trade between the two countries is still small, but he believed that it would be bigger in the next four years.

‘Our current bilateral trade is currently around US$110 million. We all know that this level is way below its potential. With confidence, I can say that our two countries can take our bilateral trade to be in-excess of US$800 million in 4-Years-Time. And this Forum today is the first step,’ he underlined.

Neak Oknha Kith Meng said both nations have more potential for partnership, especially in agri-processing, hospitality, real estate, education, and manufacturing sectors.

At the same time, Neak Oknha Kith Meng said Cambodia is an attractive destination for trade and foreign direct investment through a pro-business environment; political stability; a young, dynamic, and adaptable workforce; and a strategic location at the heart of ASEAN, with access to over 180 million people with Vietnam and Thailand as the immediate neighbors.