Cambodia will attend the fifth China International Import Expo this year, said Bun Chanthy, undersecretary of state at Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, on June 23.

Bun Chanthy, undersecretary of state at Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, gives a speech at the online promotional event. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Cambodia had also taken part in the last four editions of the annual expo.

Bun, who made the announcement at an online promotional event aimed at attracting Cambodian exhibitors to the expo, hailed the CIIE as an important platform for countries to promote investments, tourism and trade in goods and services.

During the event, representatives from nearly 100 Cambodian companies learned about the food and agricultural products exhibition area of the fifth CIIE and the favorable policies offered by the CIIE Bureau.

Zhang Weimin (middle), assistant president of the NECC Shanghai. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Zhang Weimin, assistant president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the venue for the CIIE, said a variety of high-quality agricultural products from Cambodia, including rice and mangoes, have been well-received in the Chinese market after they were showcased at the expo. He hopes Cambodian companies can bring more of their specialties to China through the fifth CIIE.

Zhang added that the Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the China-Cambodia free trade agreement are expected to further strengthen economic and trade relations between the two nations.

Wu Guoquan, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

From January to May, the trade volume between China and Cambodia totaled $4.99 billion, up 26.1 percent year-on-year, said Wu Guoquan, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, citing data released by Cambodia's customs authorities.

China is the largest trading partner of Cambodia and the largest importer of Cambodian rice and bananas, said Wu. He added that the embassy will help Cambodian companies participate in the CIIE.

By Zhao Luyang