Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is partnering with the Royal Consulate General in Long Beach, California to host a two-day exhibition and business forum to showcase Cambodian food-processing and agricultural products on Nov 9, this year.
CCC vice president Lim Heng said local investors are urged to take part in the forum which would be held in Long Beach, California, the US, to seek new export markets, raise bilateral trade and attract investments.
Noting that the US is an existing export market for Cambodian milled rice and dry agricultural products, the range of exports is small, hence the need to increase export products and grow bilateral trade.
Speaking to The Post on August 31, Lim Heng said he presided over a workshop on August 30 with Honorary Consul-General of Cambodia and CCC chairman Hout Kim Chha to promote the expo in Phnom Penh.
“We see that our trade exchange has been growing as the US is our leading trading partner so far. We hope to secure more trade partners via the forum to help expand foodstuff export and other agricultural products to the US.
“This would also create an opportunity for both local and American investors to invest in food processing ventures in Cambodia for export,” he added.
The forum, which is free, is the first business event to be held in Long Beach. It will take place from 10am to 3pm at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport, according to a statement by the Royal Consulate General in Long Beach.
Previously, Hout Kim Chha said the trade fair is an avenue for Cambodian goods to be marketed to US consumers and to forge a direct connection with investors in both countries.
“The event presents an unparalleled platform to showcase Cambodia’s diverse product range. Attendees would have the opportunity to explore and experience distinctive Cambodian food products such as rice, pepper and cashew nuts,” he said.
Delegation members might also be keen to talk about investment prospects in the US market, Kim Chha added.
The merchandise trade between Cambodia and the US reached $3.3 billion in the first five months of 2023, marking a 14.8 per cent year-on-year drop, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise.
Between January and May, Cambodian imports from and exports to the US were to the tune of $94.4 million and $3.2 billion, respectively, down 29.86 per cent and 14.25 per cent year-on-year.
This narrowed the Kingdom’s trade surplus with its top export destination by 15.83 per cent on an annual basis to $3.103 billion.
