PHNOM PENH: During a working meeting on June 8, 2023, at the Ministry of Tourism, His Excellency Thong Khon, the Minister of Tourism, apprised Mr. Thany Bin Ahmed Al Jude, the Minister of International Trade of the United Arab Emirates, about the potential of tourism in Cambodia and presented investment opportunities in the sector.

Minister Thong Khon highlighted various investment prospects in Cambodia, particularly in the tourism sector, which requires the development and introduction of new tourism products to aid the policy of attracting a higher number of international tourists. The Royal Government of Cambodia also seeks to offer high-end services to each investor.

Further, the Minister informed his counterpart that the United Arab Emirates can reach out to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, located in Dubai, for additional details on Cambodia, its governmental leadership, social and economic development, and investment and tourism potential.

The peaceful and stable country of Cambodia is developing rapidly across all regions, including urban infrastructure and highways, which, in turn, enables investors to evaluate the country's investment potential.

As a part of growing tourism in Cambodia, the Minister requested Mr. Thany Bin Ahmed Al Jude to encourage Fly Emirates to resume direct flights between Dubai and Cambodia, leading to higher numbers of tourists visiting Cambodia from the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, Cambodia looks forward to collaborating with the United Arab Emirates to promote the re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation, which expired in 2012.

In the past, there was a connection between Dubai-Yangon-Phnom Penh that facilitated travel for tourists visiting both countries and offered a potential opportunity to attract tourists from third countries.