CAMBODIA-MALAYSIA AIM TO SURPASS US$1 BLN IN TRADE IN 2026

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Cambodia and Malaysia's total trade reached a record RM4.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) last year, reflecting decades of a strong multifaceted partnership aimed at advancing their trade objectives.

According to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia's provisional trade data for January to December 2025, Cambodia imported RM3.8 billion (US$935.3 million) worth of goods from Malaysia while its exports to Malaysia totalled RM583.86 million (US$143.6 million). 

Two-way trade between the trading nations jumped 24.7 per cent from RM3.5 billion (US$865.7 million) in 2024.

The growth trend reflects the evolution of trade since the 1990s, when Malaysia entered the Cambodian market shortly after the civil war, promoting consumer goods.

“For over 20 years, both countries have built strong diplomatic and trade relations and also trust. There is more demand for Malaysian goods from the Cambodian market, especially after the border conflict with Thailand,” Phnom Penh-based independent Socio-Economic Researcher Dr Chey Tech told Bernama.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s landmark visit to the war-torn Kingdom on April 14, 1994, was a pivotal moment that redefined Cambodia-Malaysia diplomatic ties and also transformed the trade paradigm. 

Malaysian businesses initially started with products such as mosquito coils, tobacco, and beverages have since diversified their trade basket into sectors that spur the modern economy - telecommunications, banking, retail, healthcare, infrastructure and manufacturing.

Malaysia remains the seventh top import source country for Cambodia among the 20 countries listed. 

A range of trade instruments, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its membership in the 11-member ASEAN trade bloc, continues to promote intra-ASEAN trade in Southeast Asia, home to nearly 680 million people.

Cambodia's trade volume with the RCEP member countries reached RM162 billion (US$40 billion) last year.

“Relations between Cambodia and Malaysia have improved much recently and thanks to Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, as the ASEAN chair (last year), who significantly contributed to the good relations.

“There are ample opportunities for Malaysian companies to invest in Cambodia, especially in the agriculture, food processing, tourism, electronics and automotive sectors,” said Tech.

The Manila-based Asian Development Bank forecast the Cambodian economy to grow at about five per cent this year. 

-- BERNAMA