Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has lauded the official visit in Cambodia of H.E. Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
At a press conference following their bilateral talks here at the Peace Palace this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen underlined that H.E. Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob’s visit is a historical event contributing to the strengthening of the existing bilateral relations and increasing political trust and solidarity between the two countries while they are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties (1957-2022).
“We focused on cooperation in combating COVID-19 and were committed to further boosting the bilateral trade, investment, promote public well-being as well as the cooperation in the areas of science, technology, education, human resource development, tourism connectivity and people-to-people relations in order to accelerate the economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis,” said Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
For trade and investment, he continued, Cambodia asked Malaysia to buy more Cambodian rice and agricultural products and encouraged more Malaysian investors to invest in the Kingdom, especially in rice milling and storage for export, while Malaysia requested Cambodia to use its palm oil during the SEA Games 2023 to be hosted by Cambodia.
The two-way trade between the two countries reached US$500 million in 2021, up from US$442 million in 2020. Between 2017 and 2021, Malaysia ranked first in importing Cambodian rice among the ASEAN member countries and third in terms of foreign investment in Cambodia.
“We were committed to strengthening the economic cooperation, particularly digital economy and green economy, ICT, financial technology, cyber security toward long-term well-being progress and sustainable development for the interests of the two peoples and the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen added.
Both sides also agreed to study the possibility of forming sister city alliances between Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap provinces of Cambodia and different cities of Malaysia, he said, pointing out that they agreed to continue to work together to foster their cooperation and enhance peace, stability and prosperity in the ASEAN region.
The two Premiers also touched on the bilateral relations and cooperation between both ASEAN nations in the fields of national defence, labour, education, youth relations, halal food, and the post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery.
Besides, they exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interests and concerns, mainly the implementation of Five Point Consensus (5PC) for solution to the Myanmar crisis, the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and geopolitical rivalries between superpowers in Asia-Pacific.
H.E. Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob reaffirmed Malaysia’s full support for the success of Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship and for the role of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair.
Regarding the recent visit of Samdech Techo Hun Sen to Myanmar, the Malaysian Prime Minister said the visit was to bring the ASEAN’s voice to Myanmar so that the 5PC can be implemented for peace and development of the country.
H.E. Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob arrived in Phnom Penh yesterday afternoon for a two-day official visit in Cambodia.
