Phnom Penh, July 11, 2024 – Cambodia exported goods worth US$12,293 million in the first half of this year, marking a 12.6 percent increase from US$10,921 million recorded in the same period last year, according to data from the General Department of Customs and Excise released on Wednesday.

During the same period, the Kingdom’s imports rose by 12.8 percent to US$13,796 million, the report indicated.

The data revealed that bilateral trade between Cambodia and its trade partners amounted to US$26,092 million during the January-June period, reflecting a 12.7 percent year-on-year increase.

The United States was the largest market for Cambodia’s exports, with a total of US$4,401 million. This was followed by Vietnam and China, with exports worth US$2,027 million and US$814 million, respectively.

Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted the impact of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on the country’s export growth.

“Despite the global crises and weak purchasing power, Cambodian orders remained high. While there was a decline in some items, there was an increase in others,” he said.

Cambodia’s main export products include garments, machinery, electrical equipment, footwear, leather goods, grain, furniture, rubber, fruits, vegetables, pearls, toys, and textiles. The garment, footwear, and travel goods industry is the largest foreign exchange earner for the Kingdom.

The country’s major imports comprise medicines and supplements, consumables, and food and beverages.