AKP Phnom Penh, October 20, 2025 --   

The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, H.E. Matt Western MP, is visiting Cambodia from Oct. 20 to 21, 2025, to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable economic development.

According to a press release from the British Embassy in Cambodia, the visit of the UK Trade Envoy to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos builds on momentum under the UK–Cambodia Joint Trade and Investment Forum (JTIF), the main platform for bilateral coordination and private-sector engagement.

This morning, H.E. Western attended the inauguration of Techo International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project designed by UK firm Foster + Partners, symbolising the UK’s contribution to Cambodia’s connectivity and long-term growth.

Later in the day, H.E. Western attended a luncheon hosted by H.E. Samheng Bora, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce. Both sides discussed ways to advance bilateral trade cooperation between Cambodia and the UK to a higher level, focusing on inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth; the development of green Special Economic Zones; and technical cooperation under the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP), in line with the development visions of both countries. The discussions also served as preparation for the upcoming 3rd Cambodia-UK Trade and Investment Forum.

H.E. Western is also scheduled to meet with other senior Cambodian officials to follow up on Cambodia’s trade policy. Discussions will include regional trade architecture, notably developments related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and ways to enhance Cambodia–UK cooperation in regional trade integration.

In addition, he will meet with British businesses operating in Cambodia to highlight their contributions to job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth. He will also engage with UK education institutions active in Cambodia to discuss their role in developing skills, improving employability and social mobility, and supporting inclusive growth.

In the first nine months of this year, the UK ranked as Cambodia’s ninth-largest foreign trade partner. From January to September, total trade between the two countries reached more than US$824 million, a year-on-year increase of 4.9 percent. Cambodia’s exports to the UK were valued at US$786 million, up 5.4 percent.

By Heng Panha