PHNOM PENH: The Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, has said that bilateral and corporate relations between Cambodia and Malaysia have grown since he assumed his position as Ambassador in Cambodia.

EAC News recently sat down for an exclusive interview with the Ambassador of Malaysia to get some of his thoughts on various topics related to Malaysia's relationship with Cambodia.

During the interview, the Malaysian Ambassador shared that the bilateral and corporate relations between the two countries has grown significantly since they were first established. He said that there are currently about 500 Malaysian companies established in the Kingdom, and about 6000 Malaysians living in the country too.

Ambassador Datuk Eldeen said he was proud that five of Malaysia’s biggest banks are established Cambodia, something that has not been done in most other Southeast Asia countries. He also noted that Malaysia is most involved in the sectors of finance, insurance, taxation, hospitality, construction, telecommunication and entertainment, in Cambodia.

“It is always remarkable to see how we have grown from a very small volume of trade [in Cambodia]. We have increased [the amount of trade] tremendously,” he said.

“To see a very small number in 1994, 1993, there were only about maybe 50 to 60 Malaysian companies. Now [this number has] grown to almost 500.”

The Ambassador also touched on Malaysia’s involvement in healthcare promotion in Cambodia.

“We see the potential of promoting healthcare in Cambodia,” he said. “So, in 2019 we [began] promoting Malaysia’s health tourism council. We have tourism and medical tourism. When you go for a medical checkup or for medical treatment, you will definitely bring your family as well. So, [when visiting] we also want to treat your family [well] while waiting for treatment at the hospital. Your family can enjoy visiting places when they stay in Malaysia.”

He added that Malaysia has built around three hospitals in Cambodia as well.

“The reason [we built hospitals is because] we wanted to be a stepping stone for Cambodians to realize that you have another [option for treatment], which is in Malaysia, where we offer more affordable [care] in terms of going and traveling with your family and getting your treatment,” he said. “We can offer more or even better treatment than the rest.”

It was a great honor to get the chance to interview the kind Ambassador Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim. EAC News thanks the Malaysian Embassy for this valuable opportunity.

Stay tuned for the release of the full in-depth interview with the Malaysian Ambassador, here at EAC News.