(Sihanoukville): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet asserted that no nation can isolate itself from global trade or achieve complete self-sufficiency, highlighting the essential role of mutual economic interdependence.

The premier spoke on Thursday (May 1) during his meeting with civil servants, staff, and workers of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.

Samdech Thipadei underscored, “The global economy cannot be completely cut off or closed to trade. For thousands of years, people have traded, and for thousands more, trade will continue. No country can survive or thrive entirely on its own. We must rely on one another — we produce certain goods and sell them to others, while they produce others and send them back to us. This mutual exchange is essential.”

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet added that in today’s interconnected world, where isolation is not possible, trade relations will continue to grow. As the global population increases, so does the demand for goods, both in quantity and in value, leading to higher production and trade volumes.

At the same time, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted that as long as the physical transportation of goods continues to exist, the primary modes of transport by sea, land, and air, will remain essential. Among these, maritime transport is the most cost-effective and remains the dominant method. Today, nearly 80 per cent of global goods are transported by sea because it is both economical and efficient.

Samdech Thipadei added that global trade is not declining, but growing and maritime transport will expand even further in the years ahead. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt forward-looking policies and develop necessary infrastructure to harness this potential. In this context, investment in port infrastructure is both a major undertaking and a national necessity.
=FRESH NEWS