Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 22 – The Japanese government, through the visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, has proposed to resume Cambodia-Japan trade and flights after the situation of Covid-19 in both countries eased.

Speaking at a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace on Saturday morning, the Japanese foreign minister took note of the rapid development of Cambodia, especially the capital Phnom Penh, a significant economic hub.

Minister Motegi Toshimitsu praised Prime Minister Hun Sen's leadership on country development and effective control against Covid-19 outbreak.

“The Japanese minister requested Samdech Hun Sen to resume ANA flights, allowing Japan and Cambodia to promote two-way trade and business,” Eang Sophallet, personal secretary to the premier, told the press after the meeting.

Premier Hun Sen agreed upon the proposal made by the Japanese foreign minister to resume the direct flight and bilateral trade between the two countries, which would further strengthen Cambodia-Japan economic and trade cooperation.

Motegi Toshimitsu visited Cambodia in 2014 and has now become the first foreign minister to visit Cambodia since the outbreak of Covid-19.

According to Motegi Toshimitsu, 19 Cambodian students are pursuing education in Japan under the Japanese scholarship program.

Prime Minister Hun Sen thanked the People and Government of Japan for their assistances to Cambodia to prevent Covid-19 and towards Cambodian people, workers, and students living and studying in Japan.

In 2019, the trade volume between Cambodia and Japan reached approximately USD 2 billion, of which Cambodia exported about USD 1.2 billion to Japan and imported about USD 800 million. The trade volume has reached USD 800 million in the first nine months of 2020, of which Cambodia exported about USD 500 million to Japan, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
=FRESH NEWS