AKP Phnom Penh, March 26, 2025 -- 

Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, arrived at the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Mar. 26 morning (Geneva Time), to present Cambodia’s third Trade Policy Review (TPR) report to member states. 

The three-day review (Mar. 26–28) will see Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Commerce, respond to over 300 written and oral questions from approximately 20 WTO member countries. These questions focus on Cambodia’s trade and investment policies, legal frameworks, market opportunities, and business conditions. 

Before the WTO’s director-general, secretariat, and member state representatives, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul delivered comprehensive and confident responses, highlighting Cambodia’s compliance with WTO principles and its adaptive, responsible approach to global trade trends. She emphasised the country’s legal and regulatory alignment with international standards, ensuring a predictable and open trade environment. 

The minister also expressed gratitude to nations that have supported Cambodia’s trade policies and reaffirmed the Royal Government’s readiness to address further inquiries.

Cambodia joined the WTO in 2004 under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. Today, the WTO has 166 member states, serving as the sole global body regulating international trade laws and agreements. 

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Cambodia has previously benefited from trade concessions, including the European Union’s "Everything But Arms" (EBA) scheme, which grants duty-free access for all exports except weapons. However, due to significant economic progress, Cambodia is set to graduate from LDC status by the end of 2029—a milestone reflecting the nation’s development achievements. 

This transition, while a point of national pride, means Cambodia will lose certain trade privileges, including the EBA scheme. The EU has already reduced EBA benefits by 20 percent, with full withdrawal expected by 2030.

The TPR, conducted every seven years for LDCs (compared to five for developed nations), allows WTO members to assess Cambodia’s trade policies.

Cambodia’s impending LDC graduation underscores its remarkable recovery and growth, recognised by the WTO, EU, and World Bank. While new trade challenges lie ahead, the royal government remains focused on strengthening competitiveness and diversifying its economic partnerships. 

While Cambodia prepares for its transition away from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the royal government is actively pursuing bilateral and multilateral partnerships to mitigate the impact of losing preferential trade benefits. 

Under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, the Royal Government of Cambodia of the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly, has intensified economic diplomacy, fostering stronger trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation both regionally and globally. 

During her mission in Switzerland, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, seized the opportunity to bolster Cambodia’s economic ties. She met with H.E. Helene Budliger Artieda, Switzerland’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs, in Bern on March 24, to discuss enhanced trade and investment collaboration. The talks also covered regional and multilateral frameworks to expand economic opportunities for both nations. 

The following day Mar. 25, at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul held discussions with Dr. Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a global programme supporting trade capacity-building in LDCs. Their meeting focused on ongoing EIF-backed projects in Cambodia, their socio-economic impact, and future cooperation to strengthen trade competitiveness post-LDC graduation. 

This month marks Cambodia’s third WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR), following previous assessments in 2011 and 2017.

The review highlights Cambodia’s evolving trade landscape and its compliance with global standards as it transitions toward a more developed economy. 

With LDC graduation set for 2029, Cambodia is proactively engaging with international partners to sustain its economic momentum. While preferential schemes like the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) will phase out, the royal government remains committed to diversifying trade partnerships and enhancing competitiveness through strategic diplomacy. 

By K. Rithy Reak