PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that Cambodia may have a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future and urged for more technical training for citizens.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for students of the National Technical Training Institute in Phnom Penh on Monday morning, 27 February 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that when he meets with foreign businessmen, he always raises the potential Cambodia has because although Cambodia is a small country, it still has a large market, evidenced by the free trade agreements that Cambodia already has with foreign countries, such as the Republic of Korea and China. He expressed hope that Cambodia may have one with the UAE in the future as well.

The Prime Minster said that while Cambodia has this market, more technical training is needed, so the state will provide technical scholarships to 1.5 million poor students in 2023.

The Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and the Minister of International Trade of the UAE concluded the first round of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi, UAE in October 2022. The two sides also discussed UAE market demand, along with a number of requirements for export products, including rules of origin, hygiene and phytosanitation, trade barriers and halal certification.