Malaysia, Cambodia Deepen Trade, Investment Links Via MCBA-FASMEC Partnership

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Cambodia are stepping up business cooperation, expanding opportunities across ASEAN and boosting cross-border partnerships, trade and investment.

This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) and the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC).

MCBA founding president Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw said the partnership aims to create a platform delivering measurable value to businesses across Malaysia, Cambodia and the wider ASEAN region.

He said MCBA and FASMEC will host the Cambodia International Leadership Forum in Phnom Penh in mid-2027, positioning it as a regional platform bringing together business leaders, technology innovators, traders, investors and entrepreneurs from across ASEAN.

“This platform will be designed with one clear objective — not just to talk, but to translate ideas into action. This is important. Today in ASEAN, opportunities are not lacking,” he said at the MCBA Annual General Meeting and Installation Night Dinner here today.

Meanwhile, Commercial Attaché at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Malaysia Vith Panhnha, representing Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia Ouk Chandara, said Cambodia hopes MCBA will help strengthen business and trade ties this year, further expanding bilateral collaboration.

He said Cambodian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are seeking to increase trade with Malaysia and broaden engagement through agreements with various partners.

“Beyond ASEAN free trade arrangements and agreements with ASEAN partners, Cambodia has several major trade agreements, including the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Cambodia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“We hope ongoing negotiations will lead to more agreements soon and further expand Cambodia’s market globally,” he added.

Echoing the view, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) deputy chief executive officer Jai Shankar said both countries share a common goal of accelerating the growth of Malaysian companies in the two markets.

He said that while geopolitical developments could affect global trade, they may also strengthen intra-ASEAN ties.

“Sometimes, when neighbours are very close, they may not fully appreciate each other’s potential. But today, there is a growing need for us to view one another more strategically. Anything that supports this is beneficial,” he said.

He added that Cambodia offers strong opportunities, describing it as a vibrant economy that could serve as a gateway to broader global markets.

“We are looking not only at trade and investment, but also at encouraging Malaysian companies to consider Cambodia as a sourcing destination,” he said.

In the first quarter of 2026, total Malaysia-Cambodia trade rose 49 per cent to RM1.68 billion (US$430 million) from RM1.13 billion (US$250 million) a year earlier.

Trade between Malaysia and Cambodia expanded, with Malaysian exports rising 46.0 per cent to RM1.30 billion and imports increasing 59.6 per cent to RM380 million.

-- BERNAMA