PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s total international trade rose by 21.5 percent to US$37.4 billion in the first eight months of this year, the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE)’s report showed on Monday.

From January to August 2022, Cambodia exported US$15.61 billion worth of goods, up 26.3 percent compared to the same period last year, the report said, adding that the country’s imports amounted to US$21.76 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18.3 percent.

China remained the biggest trading partner of Cambodia, followed by the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore, it pointed out.

In terms of exports, the U.S. remains the biggest market for Cambodia’s products, stated the report, stressing that the exports to the U.S. amounted to US$6,421 million, a year-on-year increase of 37 percent, accounting for 41 percent of the total exports.

It said that Vietnam and China are the second and third markets with exports of US$1,469 million and US$804 million, respectively.

Cambodia’s exports have significantly increased due to the Royal Government’s successful and efficient Covid-19 control, leading to the resumption of all kinds of economic activities, said Mr. Lim Heng, Vice President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.

“The government has controlled the Covid-19 situation, reopened borders to tourists, and resumed socio-economic activities, which have maintained the production chains in factories,” Mr. Lim Heng added.