A senior official from the United Nations said Cambodia is expecting to bring in investment and advanced technology from China to boost its economy, diversify industries and promote the construction of special economic zones (SEZs).

Narin Sok, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative in Cambodia made the remarks as he was attending Cambodia-China Business & Investment Forum 2018 held in Phnom Penh on March 7.

“It is of great significance for Cambodia to bring in Chinese investment and technology, which will contribute to boosting tourism industry, extending agricultural chain and pushing forward the construction of SEZs,” added Narin.

Speaking on behalf of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), Nut Unvoanra, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB), hailed the rapid development of trade and investment, the burgeoning tourism industry and the fast economic growth in Cambodia.

“As an ASEAN member country, Cambodia boasts favorable international trade environment, which will help Chinese investors better explore international market. Cambodian government is dedicated to optimizing the country’s investment environment and create more favorable conditions for Chinese investors,” added Nut.

Vice President of China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) Cheng Qingtao said CCOIC plans to set up more investment promotion platforms, based on China-Cambodia bilateral business cooperation mechanism and Lancang-Mekong Business Council, to further explore trade potentials, push forward connectivity, promote capacity cooperation, deepen collaboration in tourism industry, and regulate business operation so as to achieve common prosperity.

The forum, co-hosted by UNIDO, CCOIC and CDC, aimed to promote China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation and regional development of the area along Lancang-Mekong River. More than 120 delegates from Chinese and Cambodian governments, trade and investment promotion agencies as well as enterprises of both countries attended the forum.