Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, on Monday received Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Her Excellency Cham Nimul at the State Lounge of Islamabad International Airport.
Accompanied by a senior official delegation, H.E. Cham Nimul is visiting Pakistan from February 10 to 11, 2026, to co-chair the second meeting of the Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC). The inaugural JTC meeting was held in Phnom Penh on January 21, 2025, and was led by Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The JTC serves as the primary institutional platform to advance bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Cambodia were established on May 28, 1952, with Pakistan among the first countries to recognize Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule. While bilateral trade volumes remain modest, Pakistan continues to maintain a trade surplus. During FY 2024-25, Pakistan exported goods worth 29.2 million US dollars to Cambodia, compared with imports of 4.70 million dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 24.5 million dollars, according to TDAS data.
Pakistan’s major exports to Cambodia include medicaments valued at 11.74 million dollars, woven cotton fabrics worth 5.23 million dollars, cotton yarn amounting to 2.72 million dollars, and prepared leather products. Key imports from Cambodia include structures valued at 2.29 million dollars, cocoa powder worth 1.85 million dollars and selected apparel items.
The first JTC meeting explored cooperation in trade facilitation, investment, agriculture, textiles, customs and related sectors, including discussions on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The current visit is expected to include the formal announcement of the launch of PTA negotiations aimed at lowering tariffs, improving market access, expanding trade volumes and promoting joint ventures.
The engagement aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral relations with ASEAN member states as part of efforts toward deeper ASEAN integration. Cambodia, with economic growth of around six percent in 2024 driven by tourism and manufacturing, and its participation in RCEP and multiple free trade agreements, offers complementary trade and investment opportunities.
The government of Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing economic relations with Cambodia by promoting sustainable growth and unlocking mutual benefits through expanded trade and investment linkages.
