(Phnom Penh): Samdech Techo received a courtesy call by Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh, Chairman of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday (Jul. 1) at the Senate.

According to the Spokesperson for the Senate Chea Thyrith, Samdech Techo expressed his pleasure in meeting the chairman of the Shura Council, viewing his visit as an important step in promoting stronger Cambodia–Saudi Arabia relations in both legal and practical frameworks. Samdech also expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality he received during his own recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

In return, the chairman of the Shura Council thanked Samdech Techo for allowing his to pay a courtesy call. He praised the continuously developing ties between Cambodia and Saudi Arabia and expressed his desire to see these relations grow stronger. He proposed that both countries increase mutual visits by leadership-level delegations to further enhance bilateral ties.

He also stressed the importance of boosting cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and investment that he considers vital to deepening the relationship. the chairman of the Shura Council expressed interest in Cambodia’s agriculture and tourism sectors, noting that there is currently no direct air link between the two countries, and limited tourist exchanges in both directions. He called for strengthened cooperation particularly in agriculture and tourism.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen agreed with the chairman of the Shura Council remarks and highlighted Cambodia’s investment potential, urging Saudi investors to explore opportunities in key sectors, particularly agriculture.

Samdech Techo noted that agriculture holds vast potential and needs more foreign investment. If Saudi Arabia is interested, it should consider investing in agribusiness, particularly in agro-processing for exports. Cambodia currently produces large quantities of raw materials, but lacks sufficient processing capacity to export value-added goods.

Samdech also brought attention to Cambodia’s rice, which is internationally recognised for its chemical-free and high-quality standards. However, he noted that a key constraint is the country’s limited capacity to process rice for export readiness.

Regarding tourism, Samdech Techo expressed his hope for direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Cambodia. Such a link would not only allow Saudi citizens to travel more easily to Cambodia, but also facilitate visitors from the broader Middle East region, promoting people-to-people exchange and further cooperation.

Addressing the border issue, Samdech Techo explained the recent tensions with Thailand, which escalated following the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier by Thai troops on May 28 and Thailand’s unilateral border closure on June 7.

The chairman of the Shura Council thanked Samdech for the insight into the Cambodia–Thailand border issue, noting his clear understanding of Cambodia’s history. He also recognised Cambodia’s ongoing progress and peace, and expressed optimism that relations between Cambodia and Saudi Arabia would continue to flourish.
=FRESH NEWS