(Malaysia): Cambodia and Malaysia agreed to broaden agricultural cooperation beyond rice by expanding trade and collaboration in cashew nuts, aquaculture, and agricultural fertilisers, as both countries move to deepen their economic partnership, according to a press release seen by Fresh News on Wednesday (Aug. 5).

The agreement was reached during the 3rd Cambodia-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), co-chaired by Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur.

Both ministers reaffirmed the importance of strengthening exchanges between the executive and legislative branches of the two countries and agreed to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors as Cambodia and Malaysia prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

Trade and investment serve as a vital pillar of economic cooperation between Cambodia and Malaysia. The two sides noted with satisfaction the growth in bilateral trade volume and agreed to boost cooperation in manufacturing, food processing, logistics, the digital economy, and renewable energy, while promoting cross-border energy collaboration and organising trade and investment forums, exhibitions, and business matching events.

In the agricultural sector, the two countries agreed to diversify cooperation by expanding commercial exchanges beyond rice to include cashew nuts, aquaculture products, and agricultural fertilisers, allowing both sides to better complement each other's agricultural strengths.

Bilateral trade continued to show strong momentum, with two-way trade reaching more than USD 795 million in the first half of 2026, an increase of USD 56.9 million, or 64.1 per cent, compared with the same period last year. Imports from Malaysia totalled approximately USD 682 million, up 55.8 per cent, reflecting the growing strength of economic ties between the two countries.
=FRESH NEWS