The new measures are expected to benefit both British consumers and businesses by lowering prices on everyday goods. Simultaneously, they aim to support jobs and economic growth in some of the world’s poorest nations.

Key upgrades include simplified rules of origin, which will allow more goods from countries such as Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines to enter the UK without tariffs, even if components are sourced from across Asia and Africa. This also ensures that nations like Bangladesh and Cambodia will continue to benefit from zero tariffs on products like garments and electronics.

A press release from the British Embassy stated that “New measures will make it easier for developing countries to trade, supporting jobs and economic growth in the UK overseas.”

These new preferential tariff measures are an enhancement to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which was launched in 2023 following the UK’s departure from the EU. Cambodia is already a beneficiary of this scheme. The DCTS is the UK’s primary trade preference scheme, covering 65 countries and offering reduced or zero tariffs on thousands of products.

H.E. Jenny Chapman, Minister for International Development, emphasized a changing global dynamic. She stated that countries in the Global South desire a different relationship with the UK, one focused on being a trading partner and investor rather than a donor.

“These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses,” she added.

Trade Between the UK and Cambodia

The UK stands as Cambodia’s seventh-largest export market, trailing only the United States, Vietnam, China, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Germany, and Spain.

Bilateral trade between the two nations reached approximately US$515 million in the first six months of 2025, marking a 13.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. During this period, Cambodia’s exports to the UK accounted for US$489 million, a year-on-year increase of 14.7 percent, according to a report from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia.

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The forum’s opening ceremony was attended by around 40 people, including representatives from various relevant institutions and the Cambodian-British Chamber of Commerce.

The Minister of Commerce expressed his enthusiasm towards the positive impact it will have on Cambodia-UK trade cooperation.

The first forum will address the current economic policies of both governments, with a focus on preferential tariffs for developing countries (DCTS) and Cambodia’s new investment law for promoting national economic diversification and green growth.

The forum also included a trade policy meeting between representatives of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, the representative of the Royal Government of the United Kingdom, and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.

Their aim was to update each other on trade policy and seek new opportunities to improve trade, goods, services, and investment between both countries.

The United Kingdom has been a significant trading partner with Cambodia, with the 2022 trade volume predicted to reach $977.43 million, a growth of 24.42% compared to 2021 as per the Customs and Excise Department of Cambodia.

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The discussion took place on Jan. 25 during a courtesy meeting between H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, and H.E. Dominic Williams, newly appointed British Ambassador to Cambodia, at the ministry.

The minister congratulated the ambassador on his role and thanked the U.K. for its support, especially on trade, health, education, financial management, infrastructure development, and COVID-19 containment in Cambodia.

He also expressed his appreciation of the U.K.’s new preferential tariff system for developing countries, including Cambodia, contributing positively to Cambodia’s export and employment, and encouraged U.K. more trade and investment in agricultural products, food, and agro-industry in Cambodia.

H.E. Dominic Williams reaffirmed U.K. commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including through trade and investment.

The UK is an important market for Cambodia and the two-way trade volume reached US$1 billion in 2022, an increase of about 24 percent compared to US$786 million in 2021.

The main exports from Cambodia to the U.K. include garments, footwear, bicycles, and agricultural products while the key imports from the U.K. to Cambodia are machinery, pharmaceuticals, and beverages.

Source: AKP

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