Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 14 – Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that individuals who habitually criticise their own country are not true patriots but rather “brutal.” He added that those who lack understanding of international trade relations should not pretend to be economic experts or aspire to leadership roles, as such pretence is untenable.
Samdech Techo spoke on Friday (Mar. 14) during a solidarity dinner with the Cambodian Oknha Association at Premier Centre Sen Sok in Phnom Penh.
During the event, Samdech Techo also addressed the trade imbalance with China, explaining that Cambodia relies heavily on raw materials imported from China for its garment sector. He noted that while Cambodia imports more from China, it also exports significantly to other countries.
Regarding trade with the United States, Samdech Techo highlighted that Cambodia exports more to the US than it imports because domestic demand for American goods is limited. Similarly, he explained that Cambodia imports more from Thailand and Viet Nam due to higher demand for supplies from these neighbouring countries.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen elaborated that Cambodia’s trade relationship with China involves substantial imports of raw materials, which are essential for domestic production and subsequent export.
“Those who are not economists—or even those who are but continue to belittle their own nation—are not true human beings. Compared to them, they are animals. I say this not to insult but to clarify to the 17 million citizens of Cambodia what trade balance means and why there are such disparities in our exports,” the Senate president underscored.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also revealed details about Cambodia’s export volumes to countries such as Viet Nam and Malaysia, where Cambodia exports more than it imports. He urged the Oknha Association and the Chamber of Commerce to continue their efforts to maintain existing markets and explore new ones for Cambodian products.
In 2024, the trade volume between Cambodia and China reached USD 15.19 billion. Of this, Chinese imports to Cambodia amounted to USD 13.44 billion, marking a 24.6 per cent increase, while Cambodian exports to China totalled USD 1.75 billion, reflecting an 18.4 per cent rise. Consequently, Cambodia’s trade deficit with China in 2024 stood at approximately USD 11.69 billion, up from USD 9.31 billion in 2023.
=FRESH NEWS
