H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul made the highlight during a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on Aug. 18 with delegations from Long Wo Agriculture (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. and Zhongbao (Cambodia) Food Co., Ltd. to discuss the companies’ plans to scale up production capacity.

The delegations briefed the Minister on the progress of their businesses in agricultural processing and export activities and requested further assistance from the ministry to facilitate expansion aimed at penetrating Chinese, American, and European markets.

H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to back private sector growth, underscoring the opportunities created by Cambodia’s free trade agreements and outlining key government initiatives, including trade facilitation measures, export incentives, and policy support, designed to strengthen the country’s production and processing capabilities.

She also emphasised the critical role of public-private collaboration in building a more resilient and competitive agricultural export sector through enhancement of the capacity of producers, processors, and exporters, with the ultimate goal of increasing Cambodia’s share in international markets.

The post Minister Backs Expansion of Agricultural Processing to Boost Global Market Reach first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

The event’s opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce and attended by Mr. Milan Thomas, Senior Economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Cambodia; Mr. Paul Akiwumi, Director for Africa and LDCs at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); as well as representatives from relevant ministries and government agencies, representatives of donors, development partners, and the private sector.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Minister mentioned that this research study will contribute to the preparation of the Cambodia Trade Policy Framework towards 2030 and support the development of Cambodia’s trade agenda for a smooth graduation from LDC status. In this context, she stated that the Ministry of Commerce has been formulating trade policies to respond to the gradual loss of trade preferences, legal flexibilities, and financing programmes, which are important contributors to the Cambodia’s trade and economic development.

H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul also emphasised that preparing for graduation from least developed country status requires legal and institutional reforms, strengthening of productive capacity, facilitation of export diversification, and continued deepening of trade and economic integration into regional and global markets.

The post Cambodia is Preparing for LDC Graduation first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

The meeting, held this Tuesday morning, July 29, 2025, saw Minister of Commerce Cham Nimol welcome Mr. Soo Wei Chieh, Executive Director of International Business and head of the SBF delegation.

Minister Nimol expressed appreciation for the delegation’s visit and their clear interest in Cambodia’s economic landscape. She highlighted the Royal Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the business and investment environment, streamline trade, diversify the economy, and increase competitiveness. The Minister also underscored initiatives aimed at strengthening existing markets and actively developing new ones, presenting a clear vision for growth.

Mr. Soo Wei Chieh, speaking for the Singapore Business Federation, conveyed his deep gratitude to the Minister for the productive engagement. He praised the Royal Government’s commitment to fostering the private sector’s role in economic growth, specifically acknowledging the support for businesses and investors through various government incentives and new initiatives.

The meeting concluded with Minister Nimol reaffirming the Ministry of Commerce’s dedication to facilitating and supporting Singaporean businesses and investors in Cambodia, signaling a continued strong partnership between the two nations.

The post Singapore Business Leaders Explore New Opportunities in Cambodia first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

During the meeting, Ms. Sargent introduced herself in her new role and briefed the Minister on VISA Cambodia’s ongoing work and strategic priorities, particularly in support of trade development for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In response, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul commended VISA Cambodia for its contributions to national development through collaboration with relevant ministries and government institutions. She highlighted the company’s support in promoting women’s and youth entrepreneurship, as well as efforts to advance digital and financial literacy in Cambodia.

The Minister welcomed VISA Cambodia’s initiatives and encouraged further cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce to help foster e-commerce development and boost MSME participation in international trade and trade fairs hosted or attended by the Ministry.

The post Cambodian Commerce Minister Meets New Country Manager of VISA Cambodia first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

Minister Nimul delivered this crucial message during the closing ceremony of the “AWE BizFest,” held at Factory Phnom Penh on Saturday afternoon, May 31, 2025. The event, organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom of Cambodia, marked a significant milestone for women in business.

The ceremony saw the attendance of numerous dignitaries, including His Excellencies, leaders from relevant ministries and institutions, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, the President of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association, and a wide array of distinguished national and international guests.

Minister Nimul expressed her profound pleasure and gratitude to the U.S. Embassy, Pannasastra University of Cambodia, and Impact Hub. She lauded their dedication and continued partnership, which were instrumental in bringing this “visionary initiative” to reality.

The Minister underscored the importance of the “AWE BizFest” as a program that powerfully demonstrates the empowerment of women to thrive in business and innovation. She conveyed her excitement at having participated in both the opening ceremony of AWE in September and now witnessing the impressive achievements of the 30 candidates after nine months of effort, particularly the announcement of the three winners of the Pitch Competition.

Reiterating her initial call, the Minister specifically mentioned the Export Service Center of the Ministry of Commerce. She again urged all entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs seeking assistance from the Ministry, to directly contact the Ministry’s working group or engage through its social media channels.

Looking ahead, Minister Nimul voiced her strong hope that all candidates who successfully completed the training course will continue to expand their businesses and promote their products to the international market, further boosting their potential.

The event concluded with the Minister congratulating everyone on the successful “AWE BizFest” and extending her congratulations to the three victorious winners. She also expressed a firm hope for a second training session to be held in the near future, indicating continued commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial community.

The post Minister of Commerce: Entrepreneurs, Especially Women, Urged to Seek Direct Ministry Support first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

Speaking at the inauguration of the two-storey Morodok Techo Flyover in Phnom Penh’s Kbal Thnal area yesterday, the Cambodian Premier announced the formation of a dedicated working group to handle this matter. This working group is under the leadership of H.E. Sun Chanthol, the Deputy Prime Minister, and H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, the Minister of Commerce.

Prime Minister Hun Manet explicitly stated that “H.E. Sun Chanthol and H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul will travel to the U.S. as soon as they receive the green light from the American side.” This development follows the Cambodian government’s announcement last Friday of an immediate reduction in tariffs on 19 categories of U.S. imports and a formal request for negotiations with the U.S. concerning the implementation of tariffs on Cambodian goods.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Hun Manet has sent an official letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, seeking discussions in response to the U.S. administration’s imposition of a 49 percent tariff on Cambodian products, which is scheduled to take effect tomorrow, April 9, 2025.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia’s strong commitment to engaging in constructive and productive dialogue with the U.S. government to further deepen the bilateral trade relationship, ensuring that both nations and their peoples can benefit tangibly from these significant trade ties.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Minister of Commerce H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul has sent a letter to Ambassador H.E. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, requesting the establishment of a negotiation mechanism and a postponement of the tariff implementation.

She noted that this extension would provide necessary time for consultations with relevant stakeholders and a comprehensive assessment of alternative approaches that would support both U.S. economic interests and Cambodia’s sustainable development goals.

The post Cambodia Affirms Readiness for U.S. Tariff Negotiations, Forms Working Group first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

Her remarks came in response to the U.S. government’s announcement on April 2 (U.S. time) of a 49 percent tariff on Cambodian imports, set to take effect on April 9, 2025.

In an exclusive interview with the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) this evening, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul emphasised that the Ministry of Economy and Finance has been holding consultations with relevant ministries and the private sector to gather inputs to respond and sustain Cambodia’s economy stability.

The minister clarified that Cambodia does not impose a 97 percent tariff on U.S. imports, as claimed. Instead, the Kingdom adheres to World Trade Organisation (WTO) regulations, with its highest tariff on U.S. goods set at 29.4 percent—well below the WTO’s allowable limit of 35 percent.

H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul also pointed out that the new U.S. tariff will primarily impact American buyers due to the increase in prices, and then Cambodian producers and investors, particularly in the garment and textile sectors.

Earlier today, H.E. Meas Soksensan, Secretary of State and spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, stated that a ministerial working group is assessing the potential economic impact of the tariff increase to develop strategies that will help maintain Cambodia’s trade competitiveness.

“A dedicated working group is evaluating the implications of this new tariff. The Royal Government is closely monitoring the situation and preparing measures to mitigate its impact,” he said.

In 2024, bilateral trade between Cambodia and the U.S. reached US$10.18 billion, marking an 11.2 percent increase from the previous year. Cambodia’s exports to the U.S. totaled US$9.9 billion (up 11.4 percent), while imports from the U.S. amounted to US$264.14 million (up 2.7 percent), according to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia.

This data underscores the U.S. as one of Cambodia’s largest export markets.

The post Commerce Minister Urges Public Not to Worry over New U.S. Tariffs first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

The three-day review (Mar. 26–28) will see Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Commerce, respond to over 300 written and oral questions from approximately 20 WTO member countries. These questions focus on Cambodia’s trade and investment policies, legal frameworks, market opportunities, and business conditions.

Before the WTO’s director-general, secretariat, and member state representatives, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul delivered comprehensive and confident responses, highlighting Cambodia’s compliance with WTO principles and its adaptive, responsible approach to global trade trends. She emphasised the country’s legal and regulatory alignment with international standards, ensuring a predictable and open trade environment.

The minister also expressed gratitude to nations that have supported Cambodia’s trade policies and reaffirmed the Royal Government’s readiness to address further inquiries.

Cambodia joined the WTO in 2004 under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. Today, the WTO has 166 member states, serving as the sole global body regulating international trade laws and agreements.

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Cambodia has previously benefited from trade concessions, including the European Union’s “Everything But Arms” (EBA) scheme, which grants duty-free access for all exports except weapons. However, due to significant economic progress, Cambodia is set to graduate from LDC status by the end of 2029—a milestone reflecting the nation’s development achievements.

This transition, while a point of national pride, means Cambodia will lose certain trade privileges, including the EBA scheme. The EU has already reduced EBA benefits by 20 percent, with full withdrawal expected by 2030.

The TPR, conducted every seven years for LDCs (compared to five for developed nations), allows WTO members to assess Cambodia’s trade policies.

Cambodia’s impending LDC graduation underscores its remarkable recovery and growth, recognised by the WTO, EU, and World Bank. While new trade challenges lie ahead, the royal government remains focused on strengthening competitiveness and diversifying its economic partnerships.

While Cambodia prepares for its transition away from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the royal government is actively pursuing bilateral and multilateral partnerships to mitigate the impact of losing preferential trade benefits.

Under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, the Royal Government of Cambodia of the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly, has intensified economic diplomacy, fostering stronger trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation both regionally and globally.

During her mission in Switzerland, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, seized the opportunity to bolster Cambodia’s economic ties. She met with H.E. Helene Budliger Artieda, Switzerland’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs, in Bern on March 24, to discuss enhanced trade and investment collaboration. The talks also covered regional and multilateral frameworks to expand economic opportunities for both nations.

The following day Mar. 25, at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul held discussions with Dr. Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a global programme supporting trade capacity-building in LDCs. Their meeting focused on ongoing EIF-backed projects in Cambodia, their socio-economic impact, and future cooperation to strengthen trade competitiveness post-LDC graduation.

This month marks Cambodia’s third WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR), following previous assessments in 2011 and 2017.

The review highlights Cambodia’s evolving trade landscape and its compliance with global standards as it transitions toward a more developed economy.

With LDC graduation set for 2029, Cambodia is proactively engaging with international partners to sustain its economic momentum. While preferential schemes like the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) will phase out, the royal government remains committed to diversifying trade partnerships and enhancing competitiveness through strategic diplomacy.

The post Cambodia’s Trade Minister Leads Inter-Ministerial Delegation to Geneva for WTO Review first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

“Investing in the EV market presents a significant opportunity for Cambodia,” stated H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul. “It aligns with our commitment to fostering a sustainable and modern economy, benefiting both consumers and the environment.”

The Minister also underscored the crucial role of private sector investment and public-private partnerships in driving national economic and social development.

H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, also serving as Chairwoman of the National Committee for Intellectual Property Management and the Cambodia Competition Commission, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to fostering fair competition. “We are dedicated to creating a level playing field that encourages innovation, productivity, and economic efficiency,” she affirmed. She also mentioned initiatives to prevent anti-competitive practices and establish efficient mechanisms for resolving Competition Law violations.

In a related initiative, the Ministry of Commerce’s General Directorate of Consumer Protection, Competition, and Fraud Repression (CCF), in collaboration with the RCEP Implementation Support Programme (RISP), held a dissemination workshop in Battambang province. The workshop focused on the “Implementation of Competition Law, Consumer Protection Law and Related Regulations,” aimed to raise awareness among key stakeholders.

Presided over by Mr. Sin Sideth, Deputy Director General of CCF, Mr. Pheng Sithy, Deputy Governor of Battambang province, and Ms. Faith Considine, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, the workshop brought together representatives from various sectors, including the Chamber of Commerce, business associations, vendors, and students.

The workshop served as a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing, addressing challenges and identifying support needs related to law enforcement. Participants exchanged experiences and explored solutions to promote compliance and effective implementation of consumer protection and competition laws. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks and foster a fair and competitive business environment across Cambodia.

The post Cambodian Commerce Minister Urges EV Investment, Promotes Fair Competition first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

The official launch, held on February 24th, was presided over by H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, and attended by key figures from various ministries, institutions, academia, and the private sector.

The report reveals significant growth in Cambodia’s e-commerce market, which was valued at $1.51 billion in 2024, up from $1.29 billion in the previous year. Projections indicate that e-commerce revenue is expected to reach $1.78 billion in 2025.

“The Ministry of Commerce is taking decisive steps to become more fit-for-purpose in supporting Cambodia’s E-commerce and digital trade ambitions,” H.E. Minister Cham Nimul stated. “By strengthening its institutional capacity, the ministry aims to provide more dedicated and targeted support to the industry, ensuring that businesses and consumers alike can fully leverage the opportunities presented by digital transformation.”

“The comprehensive report will serve as an important reference for policymakers, businesses, and development partners seeking to advance Cambodia’s E-commerce agenda,” she added. “The 2024 E-commerce Report provides a comprehensive analysis of Cambodia’s E-commerce landscape and outlines key considerations for the expansion of E-commerce and digital trade.”

Produced by PROFITENCE (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., the report is based on extensive consumer surveys and expert interviews, providing actionable recommendations tailored to the Cambodian context. It addresses both the opportunities and challenges faced by businesses and policymakers in the digital trade space.

“As Cambodia continues to deepen its digital integration, the evolution from E-commerce to a broader digital trade ecosystem will be instrumental in ensuring long-term economic resilience and global competitiveness,” the minister said, highlighting the report’s timely release as Cambodia progresses towards LDC graduation in 2029.

The report emphasizes the need for nationwide inclusivity, recommending improvements in infrastructure, strengthened regulations, localized strategies, and enhanced consumer education to ensure equitable access to the benefits of e-commerce and digital trade.

The post “2024 E-Commerce in Cambodia” Report Launched, Minister Emphasizes Digital Trade Growth first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.