Cambodia reaffirms support for Bangladesh's ASEAN bid
Both delegations noted steady trade growth and agreed to convene the first Joint Trade Council meeting in Phnom Penh next year
Cambodia reaffirmed support for Bangladesh's bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner during the first‑ever Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) between the two countries, held in Phnom Penh on Tuesday (23 December).
Cambodian FoC Co‑Chair Un Kheang, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, conveyed the assurance directly to Bangladesh's Secretary (Bilateral) Md Nazrul Islam. Both sides described the meeting as cordial and constructive, according to a press release.
The Cambodian delegation emphasised ASEAN Centrality and advised Bangladesh to maintain sustained engagement with member states collectively and bilaterally. Bangladesh sought Cambodia's support for joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
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The FoC was built on a 2020 ministerial‑level MOU signed in Dhaka. Delegates discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and stressed the need to activate existing agreements and MOUs.
Both delegations noted steady trade growth and agreed to convene the first Joint Trade Council meeting in Phnom Penh next year. Nazrul proposed a feasibility study on a potential Free Trade Agreement, and Cambodia acknowledged the importance of diversifying trading partners as both nations prepare for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
Cambodia reported that more than 1,100 Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products are registered in its market. Delegates proposed forming a Joint Working Group to enhance cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, including regulatory capacity building. Bangladesh expressed interest in investing in rice and cashew nut processing under buy‑back arrangements, and both sides agreed to hold Joint Working Group meetings on agriculture and aquaculture.
Nazrul thanked Cambodia for hosting Bangladeshi migrant workers in the construction and RMG sectors. The two sides discussed ways to promote safe, orderly migration and reaffirmed their commitment to combat trafficking in persons and online fraud. Bangladesh also appreciated Cambodia's Labour Ministry for publishing migration awareness materials in Bangla.
Delegates highlighted the need to conclude an Air Services Agreement to facilitate direct flights. Cambodia expressed interest in developing joint tourism products to strengthen people‑to‑people contacts.
Nazrul briefed the Cambodian side on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, reform initiatives by Bangladesh's interim government, and preparations for the February 2026 general elections. Un Kheang shared Cambodia's perspective on armed tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border, and both sides stressed dialogue and diplomacy in line with the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.
Bangladesh offered to host the next FoC in Dhaka at the end of next year and informed Cambodia of plans to open a resident diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh. Nearly 40 Cambodian officials from various ministries and agencies joined the consultations.
After the FoC, Nazrul met EAT Sophea, permanent secretary of Cambodia's Foreign Ministry, and discussed priority issues to sustain bilateral momentum. Bangladesh's Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodia, Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, also attended the meetings.
