Cambodia and Indonesia are both looking to foster stronger trade and investment ties in the future. The ties between Cambodia and Indonesia go a long way. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957 and maintained bilateral exchanges in the areas of trade, education, military, politics, culture, among others since then. Indonesia was among the countries that provided soldiers for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia and backed Cambodia’s entry into the Association of Southeast Nations in the late 1990s.
Since 1997, Indonesia has been offering scholarships to Cambodian students. An Indonesian Cultural Centre (Pusbudi Nusantara) was also set up to promote Indonesian education and culture.
Currently, trade between the two countries is not as big or comprehensive as the ones Cambodia is enjoying with Malaysia or Singapore. There are also not many Indonesian companies here and vice versa. From January to November 2020, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Indonesia was valued at $540.5 million. Cambodia mainly buys coal, pharmaceuticals, machinery and agricultural products from Indonesia, while Indonesia imports Cambodian-produced rice and rubber on top of garments and shoes. Economic observers see a big potential for both countries.
Currently, Indonesia is the 15th largest economy in the world by nominal gross domestic product. With a population of nearly 280 million, Indonesia would be a good market for Cambodian products. Indonesia, meanwhile, has the expertise and is well-positioned to help improve Cambodia’s engineering, agricultural, health and other vital sectors.
Developing the trade ties between the two countries is among the priorities of current Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Sudirman Haseng.
“Promoting friendship, developing mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding between Indonesia and Cambodia are my mission and objectives during my ambassadorship,” the Indonesian envoy said in an…