(Phnom Penh): Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, held a courtesy and working discussion with Christian DesRoches, Ambassador of Canada to Cambodia, at the Office of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday (Mar. 17).

The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exploring opportunities to expand trade and investment between the two countries.

Vongsey Vissoth Vongsey Vissoth warmly welcomed Ambassador DesRoches and highlighted the long-standing and positive relationship between Cambodia and Canada, which dates back to 1953. He noted that Canada is currently Cambodia’s sixth-largest trading partner and the third-largest source of investment, particularly in the financial sector.

He also welcomed the reopening of the Canadian Embassy residence in Cambodia, describing it as a signal of a renewed phase in bilateral cooperation.

Amid global geopolitical uncertainties, the permanent deputy prime minister reaffirmed Cambodia’s foreign policy commitment to multilateralism, international law, and strengthened partnerships with friendly nations. He stressed that small economies like Cambodia must build resilience, enhance governance frameworks, and diversify partnerships at both regional and global levels.

For his part, Ambassador Christian DesRoches reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding trade and investment cooperation. He highlighted Canada’s renewed diplomatic presence and growing interest among Canadian investors in Cambodia.

The ambassador further noted Cambodia’s improving living standards, infrastructure development, and strong economic growth, which are creating favorable conditions for trade, investment, job creation, and income generation. He further expressed appreciation for the Cambodian government’s efforts to combat online scams.

Vongsey Vissoth also highlighted the government’s ongoing reforms under the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I of the seventh-mandate Royal Government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet. These reforms focus on strengthening governance systems, advancing legal and judicial reforms, and improving public administration to build capable, efficient, and transparent institutions.

He also highlighted efforts to enhance Cambodia’s investment climate, including strengthening the national statistical data system to provide reliable economic data for investors. In this context, he encouraged increased Canadian investment, particularly in priority sectors.

On the issue of online scams, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth underscored the government’s firm commitment to eliminating such activities, noting their negative impact on foreign investment, tourism, and Cambodia’s international reputation. He added that the draft Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud has been approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the National Assembly.

Both sides also discussed continued cooperation in capacity-building and legal reform. Canada had previously supported the Office of the Council of Ministers in these areas in the early 2000s. The two countries share similarities in their legal systems, which combine civil law and Anglo-Saxon traditions.
=FRESH NEWS