Phnom Penh: delegation of the US-ASEAN Business Council, led by its newly-appointed president, Ted Osius, has made a courtesy call on Minister of Commerce, Pan Sorasak, via videoconference on Thursday. The meeting focused on the initiatives taken by ASEAN, especially when Cambodia will hold the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022. It also touched on the promotion of bilateral and regional trade and economic cooperation and the participation of the private sector in the rehabilitation of the global supply chain and production, as well as digital commerce, healthcare, the restoration of travel confidence and the promotion of the digital economy.

The minister says, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2022, Cambodia will try its best to solve common regional challenges based on openness, honesty, willingness, solidarity and harmony in ASEAN. The country will particularly focus on social economic recovery efforts for the post-pandemic period, and is committed to making ASEAN an important region for trade, investment and the global supply chain by maximising benefits from existing free trade agreements and the recently-signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. He commended the creation of Ford Motor Cambodia’s assembly plant in Pursat province which will provide Cambodian people with job opportunities and technical skills transfer, as well as the FedEx Corporation’s intention to expand its direct air transport services to Cambodia.

Ted Osius thanked the ministry for its coordination and support for American investors and companies in Cambodia. They pledged to further boost investment and business cooperation and express support for Cambodia when it takes over the ASEAN chairmanship next year. The US-ABC president also appreciated Cambodia’s measures against the pandemic as well as its efforts in reopening the country.