PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has encouraged India to further increase social, economic, trade and tourism cooperation with Cambodia as the Covid-19 pandemic has been declining.

Speaking at The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine handover ceremony, which took place at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that India has helped Cambodia since 1981 after the end of the Khmer Rouge regime, making significant contributions to Cambodia's socioeconomic recovery through humanitarian assistance, trade and cultural support, and financial lending.

He added that through these collaborations, there have been positive results in the two countries' socio-economic relations and trade and investments, even despite the impact of Covid-19.

He said: "In a context where the prevalence of Covid-19 has decreased and where, overall, we have managed the situation very well, I would like to encourage the strengthening of ties, the promotion of cooperation and the further strengthening of relations between Cambodia and the members of the Tripartite Initiative, especially between Cambodia and India, on matters of trade, investment, information technology, the easing of travel conditions and travel connecting direct flights and promoting the development of tourism."

From January to November 2021, bilateral trade between Cambodia and India totaled US $274.2 million, with exports worth US $117.17 million US dollars, while imports from India increased to US $170.32 million.