Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The bilateral trade volume between Cambodia and Canada is projected to have significantly surpassed the $1 billion mark by 2025, demonstrating a robust 15 percent increase compared to 2024. This notable growth underscores a consistent upward trend in trade relations between the two nations over the past five years, solidifying Canada’s position as a crucial economic partner for Cambodia.
This impressive trade performance was a key topic of discussion during a recent meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Aun Pornmoniroth, and Canadian Ambassador to Cambodia, Christian DesRoches. The meeting took place on January 15 at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as confirmed by a press statement from the Ministry.
During their discussions, Deputy Prime Minister Pornmoniroth highly commended Canada’s sustained efforts in fostering strong relations and expanding various areas of cooperation, particularly within the economic and bilateral trade sectors. He emphasized that Canada has become an increasingly vital trading partner for Cambodia, with bilateral trade volumes showing consistent growth over the last half-decade. The Deputy Prime Minister also affirmed the Royal Government’s commitment to actively encourage and attract more Canadian investors to establish their presence and invest in Cambodia.
According to statistics from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the total joint trade volume between Cambodia and Canada reached an impressive $1.334 billion in 2025. A significant portion of this comprised Cambodian exports to Canada, which amounted to $1.271 billion, marking a substantial 14.6 percent increase. Meanwhile, imports from Canada into Cambodia totaled $63 million, reflecting a 3.1 percent rise compared to figures from 2024.
In response, Canadian Ambassador Christian DesRoches expressed strong confidence in Cambodia’s long-term economic and social development trajectory. He highly praised the continuous advancement of relations between Cambodia and Canada, noting that their engagement has become increasingly active across bilateral, ASEAN, and international frameworks. Ambassador DesRoches specifically highlighted the expanding cooperation in trade and investment, which he sees as progressing in tandem with deeper political and diplomatic ties.
Furthermore, the longstanding commitment from Canada to Cambodia’s development was highlighted. From 1992 through 2024, Canada has provided approximately $207 million in grant aid to Cambodia. These grants have been strategically channeled into key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, food security, mine action and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, governance, and gender equality. This sustained bilateral cooperation clearly demonstrates Canada’s dedication to strengthening and expanding economic and financial collaboration with Cambodia.
Both nations reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing economic and financial cooperation. This will be pursued through various avenues, including promoting investment in high-potential sectors, further boosting bilateral trade volumes, and broadening cooperative financial initiatives in priority areas. Looking ahead, Cambodia and Canada are set to explore the feasibility of formalizing an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Additionally, the Canadian government has indicated its intention to advance negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, signaling a broader commitment to regional economic integration.
