The Cambodian Chamber of Commerce in California (CCCC), based in the western coastal US state, has announced that it is set to hold the first edition of its Cambodia Business Expo on November 9 in the city of Long Beach to bring the Kingdom’s goods to the US market as well as promote trade and investment between the two countries.
The free event, which will be open to the public from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport with more than 100 Cambodian firms expected to participate, is designed to highlight the Kingdom’s “dynamic” business scene, according to a notice issued by the CCCC earlier this month.
The trade fair is slated to feature speakers from the Cambodian ministries of commerce and tourism. To register, interested companies are encouraged to get in touch with the CCCC – not to be confused with the similarly-named Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC). Additional information is available on the CCCC webpage: camchamcal.com
Honorary Consul General of Cambodia and CCCC chairman Hout Kim Chha said in the notice that the trade fair will provide a venue to market Cambodian goods to US consumers and to forge direct connections between businesspeople of both countries.
“This event presents an unparalleled platform to showcase Cambodia’s diverse product range. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore and experience products such as distinctive Cambodian food items, including rice, pepper, cashew nuts, and a host of other unique products,” he said.
Certain delegation members will be keen to talk about investment prospects in the US market, according to Kim Chha.
CCC vice-president Lim Heng confirmed to The Post that the Phnom Penh-based trade body will team up with the Cambodian consulate-general in California to showcase locally-made wares and potentially increase market share there.
“We also plan to open [CCC offices] not only in California but also in other US states,” he revealed. “The expo will serve as a platform for our country’s businesspeople and exporters to seek business opportunities in the US market.”
The merchandise trade between Cambodia and the US reached $3.292 billion in the first five months of 2023, marking a 14.80 per cent year-on-year drop, according to provisional Customs (GDCE) data.
In the January-May period, Cambodian imports from and exports to the US were to the tune of $94.449 million and $3.198 billion, respectively, down 29.86 per cent and 14.25 per cent year-on-year, narrowing the Kingdom’s trade surplus with its top export destination by 15.83 per cent on an annual basis to $3.103 billion.
“Key US imports from Cambodia include apparel, footwear, and travel goods, providing employment to over one million Cambodians, predominantly women. Notable US exports to Cambodia include vehicles, animal feed, and digital services,” the CCCC notice said.
