Hanoi (VNA) ༺– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 28 received Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul and senior officials from the ministry, who are on a working visit to Vietnam.

PM Chinh expressed his pleasure at Cambodia's remarkable and comprehensive development achievements despite challenges, particularly in economic growth, a surge in trade turnover, improved living standards, and the nation’s continuously elevated role and status on the international stage. He expressed his belief that under the clear-sighted reign of King Norodom Sihamoni along with the sound leadership of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by President Hun Sen and the Government by PM Hun Manet, Cambodia will continue to reap more successes in national development. Minister Cham Nimul congratulated Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the national reunification as well as the country’s socio-economic achievements. She also conveyed the best greetings from Cambodian PM Hun Manet to PM Chinh. She noted that her recent discussion with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade had been very successful, with the two sides agreeing to establish a Vietnam – Cambodia bilateral trade cooperation committee to boost trade, especially border trade. The official affirmed that the two ministries will work closely to maintain the long-standing neighbourliness, friendship, and solidarity between the two countries, and soon raise bilateral trade to 20 billion USD, especially amid global trade volatility, thus contributing to the development of trade in the ASEAN region and the world. PM Chinh praised the signing of the agreement to promote bilateral trade between the Governments of Vietnam and Cambodia for the 2025–2026 period, noting that it will provide legal grounds for trade by offering tariff incentives, leveraging the complementarity of the two economies, and strengthening supply chain connectivity so as to reach the trade target of 20 billion USD. He highlighted the strong economic and trade growth, with bilateral trade already surpassing 10 billion USD, five years ahead of schedule. PM Chinh asked the two ministries to push ahead with implementing the high-level agreements while enhancing economic and infrastructure connectivity, especially transport, trade, and investment infrastructure, thus ensuring common development and mutual benefits for people of both nations. Acknowledging the current global trade difficulties, the PM expressed confidence that both Vietnam and Cambodia will overcome these challenges, drawing from their historic resilience. Through Minister Cham Nimul, the host also sent New Year greetings to King Norodom Sihamoni, his Queen, CPP President Hun Sen, PM Hun Manet, and other leaders of Cambodia./.