BANGKOK, 26 March 2015 – The Thai and Cambodian Ministries of Commerce have agreed to join forces in driving cooperation in border trade further, aiming to achieve trade growth of 30 percent in five years.
Deputy Commerce Minister of Thailand Apiradee Tantraporn revealed after meeting with her Cambodian counterpart Kem Sithan that the two sides have concurred to further expand their trade cooperation at all levels after last year’s total trade value exceeded 5 billion US dollars. Emphasis will be placed on trade along the shared border which is believed to have the potential to meet the target growth of 30 percent by the year 2020.
The two neighbors also agreed to the joint development of special economic zones, hoping to attract more trade and investment to their countries. Cambodia was reportedly supportive of Thailand’s suggestions for the trade strategy, which will be discussed at the 5th Thai-Cambodian Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting to be hosted by Thailand this year.
In the meantime, Ms Apiradee said the Thai Ministry of Commerce is organizing a border trade fair in collaboration with Cambodia in Aranyaprathet district of the border province of Sa Kaeo from now until March 30.
