Phnom Penh, March 15, 2024 – In a gathering at the Sun & Moon Riverside Hotel this Friday afternoon, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul marked the end of the ARISE Plus Cambodia program and introduced the "EU Global Access and Trade Expertise (GATE)" initiative. The event saw participation from officials of the Ministry of Commerce along with representatives from various partner organizations and stakeholders.

Minister Nimul expressed gratitude towards the European Union and the German Federal Government (GIZ) for their substantial contributions to Cambodia's ambitious trade development goals. She reiterated Cambodia's dedication to integrating more deeply into regional and global economies, a strategy that has notably propelled the nation's economic expansion and broader socio-economic progress.

Highlighting the objectives of the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, Minister Nimul outlined Cambodia's ambitious journey towards achieving an upper middle-income status by 2030 and the broader Cambodia Vision 2050. These goals are in sync with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

With the launch of the EU GATE Project, Minister Nimul shared insights into enhancing Cambodia's engagement in regional and international trade. She emphasized the importance of building supply-side capacity and improving trade-related infrastructure, fully leveraging existing Free Trade Agreements, and preparing for Cambodia's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

In her closing remarks, Minister Nimul called for active involvement from all key partners and stakeholders in the initial phase of the EU GATE Project. She stressed the need for clear communication on the support required to foster a dynamic and enduring trade environment in Cambodia. This collaborative effort is essential for navigating post-LDC challenges and seizing future opportunities as Cambodia strides towards its Vision 2050.