WT/TPR/M/364  
9 February  2018 
(18-0888) Page: 1/39 
Trade Policy Review Body  
21 and 23 November 2017   
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
CAMBODIA  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Juan Carlos Gonza lez (Colombia)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  2 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F CAMBODIA  ................................ .. 4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  7 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S ................................ ................................ ........................  11 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRES ENTATIVE OF CAMBODIA  AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  31 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  38 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Cambodia  are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/ 364/Add.1  and will be available 
online at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The second Trade Policy Review of Cambodia was held on 21 and 23 November 2017. The 
Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Colombia) welcomed the delegation of Cambodia 
headed by H.E. Mr. Pan Soras ak, Minister of Commerce; the rest of the delegation; and the 
discussant, H.E. Ms Frances Lisson ( Australia).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled  the purpose of the Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by Cambodia  was co ntained in document 
WT/TPR/G/364  and that of the  WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/364 . 
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been  submitted in writing before the deadline: 
Singapore; Canada; Argentina; China; United States; Brazil; Chinese Taipei; Indonesia; European 
Union; Japan; and Malaysia . The following delegations submitted written questions after the 
deadline: Thailand; Australia; and the Republic of Korea . 
1.4.  During the previous TPR meeting in 2011, Members had praised Cambodia  for its solid 
economic performance and for having successfully overcome the global economic crisis without 
backsliding on trade liberalization. Memb ers had also acknowledged the relative trade openness of 
Cambodia 's economy. They had noted that trade policy was an integral part of Cambodia 's efforts 
to promote development and improve living standards. They had also underlined its reliance on a 
few exp ort products and markets. For the current review, Members sought through their advanced 
questions further information regarding Cambodia 's measures to reduce the informal sector and to 
diversify the economy, as well as  the steps to mitigate the risk of ass et price bubbles  in sectors 
such as real estate.  
1.5.  Members recall ed that, at the time of the previous review, they  had commended Cambodia 's 
use of its participation in the WTO to further its integration into the world economy, which had 
been reflected in its  active participation in the Doha Development Ag enda as well as its regional 
cooperation efforts. They had also acknowledged the steps taken to promote good governance 
through judicial and legal reforms and to create a more transparent and predictable busi ness 
environment to help attr act investment. Cambodia remained  an active participant in, and 
committed to, the multilateral trading system, and also as voice for the least developed countries 
as Chair of the LDC Group in 2017. Notably, it had ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and it 
had undertaken  several policy, institutional and regulatory initiatives, including the establishment 
of a Permanent Mission to the WTO. As indicated by the advanced written questions, Members 
wished  to learn more about Cambodia 's regulatory and institutional reforms in areas such as 
Foreign Direct Investment, and to improve the business climate and enhance transparency. 
Members had also inquired about Cambodia 's plans on its WTO notification of certain measures; 
and the state of play of its international donor assistance.  
1.6.  With regard to trade policy, at the time of the previous review, Members had expressed 
satisfaction over Cambodia 's simplified tariff structure, binding coverage, its efforts to ensure that 
applied rate s remained below bound rates, and the reduction of its dependency on trade -related 
taxes. Members had also appreciated Cambodia 's continued commitment to fully implement the 
agreements on Customs Valuation, TRIPs, TBT and SPS. At the same time, they had encouraged 
Cambodia to make import requirements more transparent and focus attention on the transparency 
of tendering procedures. With regards to the current review, Members inquired about Cambodia 's 
plans to rectify applied MFN rates exceeding bound rates. They also sought further information 
pertaining to the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme. Members were 
also interested in other aspects of customs procedures and clearance such as advance rulings and 
rules of origin. As illustrat ed by the advance written questions, Cambodia 's IPR regime was also an 
area of particular interest to Members. Some issues raised by Members include d, inter alia , those 
relating to IPR enforcement, and Cambodia becoming a signatory to international treatie s such as 
the Berne Convention, the International Convention for Protection of Phonograms and 
Broadcasting Organisations, and other WIPO treaties.  
1.7.  Other areas for which Members sought further information for this Review include d the 
following: Cambodia 's Rectangular Strategy, the Industrial Development Policy, the Financial 
Sector Development Strategy, the Education Strategic Plan, and the Tourism Development 
Strategic Plan. Other issues of interest signalled by Members through their advance questions were WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  the modernization of SPS and testing capacity issues; standards and technical regulations; certain 
import licensing requirements; special tax issues; price controls and monitoring; government 
procurement; the policy rationale for tariff increases and ex port taxes on certain agricultural 
products; the implementation of energy and industrial development plans; and issues relating to 
finance, microfinance, insurance, telecommunications, air and maritime transport, tourism, 
distribution services, and profess ional services.  
1.8.  This meeting would be  a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater detail issues of 
interest to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. The Chairperson  
looked forward to a fruitful exchange.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  2  OPENING STA TEMENT BY THE REPRES ENTATIVE OF CAMBODIA (H.E. MR. P AN 
SORAS AK) 
2.1.  I am very pleased to be with you this morning as H ead of the delegation of the Royal 
Government of Cambodia. The Royal Government welcomes this opportunity to review with you 
the progress we h ave made in using trade policy to advance our development and p overty 
alleviation objectives. We  believe that our review will also help clarify the challenges that we must 
meet in the period ahead.  
2.2.  This is Cambodia 's second trade policy review, and Member s will already be familiar with the 
role that international trade plays in Cambodia 's development and with the broad thrust of 
Cambodia 's trade policies.  
2.3.  Cambodia is a small economy. Many of its citizens are impoverished, and most of its 
population is unde r the age of 24. The labor force is growing rapidly, and accommodating this 
growth while reducing poverty requires an exceptionally rapid expansion of employment 
opportunities. This can only be accomplished by accessing markets outside Cambodia, and by 
mobilizing financial resources and skills not presently available in Cambodia, in particular through 
private direct investment.  
2.4.  Recognizing this, Cambodia has maintained an open economy during the past two decades, a 
policy that was formalized through accessi on to WTO. Exports account for a high proportion of GDP 
and of formal employment and to a very high proportion of the growth of employment. Trade, 
employment and poverty reduction are tightly linked in Cambodia, and trade policy is an integral 
and central element in the Royal Government 's efforts to promote development and improve living 
standards.  
2.5.  Those efforts have met with considerable success. Since our last Trade Policy Review in 2011 , 
GDP has grown at an average annual rate that is slightly above 7 %. Over the same period , per 
capita GDP grew at an average annual rate of 7.7 %, and , in 2016 , reached US$1,302, as 
compared with US$911 in 2011. In 2016, Cambodia passed the World Bank 's gross national 
income per capita graduation threshold, and passed from l ow-income -country status into lower 
middle -income -country status.  
2.6.  The sharp rise in per capita income, in turn, has been accompanied by visible and significant 
improvement in the welfare of all Cambodians. The poverty rate, which was 53% in 2004, and 
21% in 2010 fell further to around 13.5% in 2014. The infant mortality rate fell from 45 deaths 
per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014, and the literacy rate 
increased from 79.9% in 2011 to 80.5% in 2015.  
2.7.  The progress describe d above is part of the longer -term trajectory of the Cambodian 
economy. As the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have pointed out, Cambodia ranks 
sixth in the list of the world 's most rapidly growing economies during the past 20 years.  
2.8.  The remark able growth that Cambodia has experienced is the direct result of its ability to 
compete in international markets and maintain an open economy. Cambodia 's competitiveness 
was initially based primarily on its abundant and low -priced labour. More recently, t rade 
preferences under GSP and duty -free-quota -free (DFQF) programmes, in particular the EU 's EBA 
program me, have been the key to export expansion: as much as 80% of the growth of Cambodia 's 
exports occurred in markets providing non -reciprocal tariff prefe rences. These incentives, when 
combined with Cambodia 's attractive investment regime, account for the major part of Cambodia 's 
growth performance.  
2.9.  The set of circumstances that allowed this rapid growth is changing, and will change further 
in the future. Some countries providing DFQF preferences are also entering into free -trade 
agreements with non -LDC countries, thereby diluting the commercial value of Cambodia 's 
preferential access. The special DFQF privileges that Cambodia enjoys as an LDC will , at some  
point, come to an end: UNCTAD has forecast ed that in the second half of the 2020s Cambodia may 
be approaching eligibility for graduation from the LDC group. Wage rates are going up, as they 
must if the benefits of Cambodia 's integration into the world eco nomy are to be equitably shared. WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  The old bases for Cambodia 's competitiveness are eroding, and new ones must be found and 
created by Cambodia itself.  
2.10.   Under the wise leadership of Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen , the Royal 
Government of Cambodia has re doubled its efforts to enhance its competitiveness as both an 
investment destinati on and an exporter. Cambodia 's report to the Trade Policy Review Body 
contains a brief discussion of these efforts under five broad, cross -cutting headings: the quality 
and c ompleteness of the legal environment governing trade and business; the cost and ease of 
complying with government regulations and practices; the quality of the labor force; the 
availability and cost of electricity; and the cost and ease of transportation a nd logistics.  
2.11.   I should like to say a few words this morning on each of these topics.  
2.12.   In its report to our last trade policy review  in 2011, Cambodia informed the M embership 
that it had adopted 19 laws and regulations required by its accession to the WTO, a nd that a 
number of other relevant laws and regulations were being prepared. During the period since our 
last TPR , this work has continued  and we have adopted laws on geographical indications, public 
procurement, the management of pesticides and fertilizer , insurance, telecommunications, animal 
health and animal production, the organization of courts, and trade unions. At the same time , we 
have acceded to a number of international conventions, and taken the steps necessary to fulfil our 
obligations under th ese conventions. The international conventions in question are the revised 
Kyoto Convention, the Madrid Protocol on the International Registration of Marks, the Patent 
Cooperation Treaty, and the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of  
Industrial Designs.  
2.13.   Cambodia currently has under development 16 additional laws dealing with the legal 
environment for business and with Cambodia 's WTO obligations. Some of these draft laws are 
already with our National Assembly, some are being considere d by the Council of Ministers, and 
others are under development in various ministries. When they are all adopted and implemented, 
Cambodia will have a more transparent legal environment for business, and will have completed 
the work program me agreed with M embers at the time of its accession.   
2.14.   Since our last trade policy review , the Royal Government has taken a number of steps to 
reduce the costs of engaging in international trade and, more generally, of doing business. These 
steps usually entail greater us e of risk management and of automation. The ease of doing business 
in Cambodia has been significantly increased by the automation of the procedures required to 
establish and operate an enterprise —registration with the Ministry of Commerce and with the Tax 
Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. These two registrations are now done online. 
In addition , the Royal Government has taken a number of steps to facilitate import and export 
transactions, which I would like to enumerate briefly:  
1. Cambodia has recently established its national trade repository, an online portal where 
traders can access easily all trade -related information needed to import into or export from 
Cambodia.  
2. Customs automation and risk management have been continuously expanded and  upgraded, 
so as to ease import formalities.  
3. A best traders program me has been established that allows traders that meet certain criteria 
to enjoy priority with regard to some customs procedures and to be exempted from others.  
4. Post clearance audit has been  established for garment sector imports, and then was 
gradually extended into other sectors. Since 2016 , it has been applied generally, with 
particular attention to regular exporters and importers . 
5. A legally binding advance rulings process has be en established  allowing traders to secure 
rulings on customs classification, valuation and origin that are valid for three years.  
6. Applications for certificates of Cambodian origin are now made and processed on line, and 
Cambodia has taken first steps toward i mplementing self -certification by exporters.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  7. Work is advancing on the creation of a national single window, which will eventually be part 
of the ASEAN single window.  
8. Cambodia has joined the UN -ESCAP Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross -border 
Paper less Trade in Asia and the Pacific, which seeks to enable the exchange and mutual 
recognition of trade -related data and documents in electronic form.  
2.15.   In the period ahead , Cambodia will continue to simpli fy import and export procedures  in the 
context of its  implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
2.16.   The quality of its labor force is one of the most basic determinants of a country 's 
international competitiveness. The Royal Government is well aware that there is presently a 
mismatch between the ne eds of our investors and entrepreneurs in terms of the knowledge, skills 
and critical thinking ability of their work force, and the actual competencies of Cambodia 's work 
force. Correcting this mismatch is the highest priority of the Royal Government and i s reflected in 
the rapid rise of government expenditure on education and training. Since our last Trade Policy 
Review, the Royal Government  of Cambodia  has put in place a wide -ranging program me designed 
to improve basic education, in particular by revampin g the curriculum to give greater emphasis to 
the "STEM " topics: science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and by creating new 
general and technical high schools. Cambodia 's vocational education and training program mes 
have also been expanded and re vamped  in consu ltation with the private sector  to ensure that they 
produce graduates with the skills required by Cambodia 's investors and entrepreneurs. In our two 
main export sectors, garments and tourism, the private sector has participated in the creati on of 
training facilities designed to produce the specific skills that they need.  
2.17.   The two complaints that we hear most from our exporters and investors are that the cost  of 
electricity and the cost  of transportation and logistics are too high. Indeed, both  of these costs are 
higher in Cambodia than in our neighboring countries, reducing our relative competitiveness. The 
Royal Government has in place detailed investment plans and program mes that will significantly 
reduce costs in these two areas over the nex t decade. The key to lower electricity costs lies in the 
environmentally sound and socially sensitive exploitation of Cambodia 's hydro -electricity potential. 
This is underway. High transportation costs are being addressed by improving Cambodia 's river 
and deep-water ports and the road networks providing access to them. We are also reviving our 
rail links between Phnom Penh and our deep -water port at Sihanoukville and between Phnom Penh 
and the Thai border, a key element in developing ASEAN connectivity.  
2.18.   The period since our last TPR has been one of rapid progress . Progress that o wes much to 
the support of WTO M embers. I should like to express, on behalf of the Royal Government  of 
Cambodia , our appreciation to all those M embers who have facilitated and suppor ted our trade and 
development policies, whether by putting in place DFQF program mes or providing technical and 
financial support through EIF, Aid for Trade or other program mes. 
2.19.   The Royal Government has the ambition of seeing the World Bank classify Cambodi a as a 
middle income country by 2030, an ambitious but do -able target. We understand that reaching 
this target requires a re -doubling of effort on our part , effort that can only achieve its full results  
with continued support by WTO M embers.  
2.20.   Cambodia 's trade-related assistance needs have been articulated in its Trade Integration 
Studies, the most recent of which was adopted in 2014. Cambodia now has a well -established 
infrastructure for coordinating and managing such assistance, using a trade sector -wide ap proach, 
or trade SWAp. Recently the Ministry of Commerce has produced, with the support of the EIF and 
UNDP, an assessment of those areas in which additional support will be required durin g 
2016-2020. A number of development partners have indicated that th ey are prepared to consider 
providing such assistance, and we appreciate these indications of continued support.  
2.21.   Thank you Mr. Chairman.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  Thank you Chairman and thank you H.E. Minister Sorasak  for leading Cambodia 's 
participation in its second WTO Trade Policy Review.   
3.2.  The impressive delegation you have brought to Geneva this week – which includes 
representatives from a wide range of m inistries - demonstrates  Cambodia 's commitment to this 
review proces s and to the WTO more broadly.  
3.3.  It is a privilege to act as discussant  for this Trade Policy Review.  
3.4.  I recall that Cambodia was the second LDC to join the WTO through the full accession 
process. And we welcome the establishment of Cambodia 's Permanent Mission in Geneva,  ably led 
by Ambassador Rithi Pich, which is actively engag ed in the range of WTO activities. This is 
demonstrated, for example, by Cambodia 's acceptance in 2016 of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement, and its important role this year as coordinator for the L DC Group in the lead -up to 
MC11.  
3.5.  Of course, trade liberaliz ation and participation in the rules -based multilateral system are of 
great importance for an economy such as Cambodia, which relies heavily on exports as a source of 
income and economic growth. To that end, it 's encouraging to see the significant progress 
Cambodia has made since its last Trade Policy Review in December 2011.  
3.6.  I'd like to cover four topics in my remarks today:  
 Firstly, Cambodia 's Macroeconomic Environment;  
 its Trade and Investment Profile;  
 Cambodia 's participation in Multilateral and Regional Trade Agreements;  
 And, fourthly , Trade -Related Reforms.  
Macroeconomic Environment  
3.7.  Turning first to Cambodia 's macroeconomic environment, as Minister Sorasak noted, 
Cambodia has sustained strong  economic growth during the period under review, averaging 7% 
real GDP growth since 2011.  
3.8.  As hi ghlighted in the Secretariat 's report, construction, manufacturing and tourism -related 
services have been the main drivers of this growth. Encouragingly, this growth has been inclusive, 
meaning inequality and poverty have decreased during the review period.  
3.9.  Cambodia rebounded well from the impact of the global financial crisis, in part due to prudent 
macroeconomic management that has resulted in moderate inflation, a stable exchange rate, 
relatively low unemployment, and manageable external debt levels.  
3.10.   There are, however – as is the ca se for all countries – opportunities for improvement.  
3.11.   The high cost of doing business, coupled with an underdeveloped financial market, render 
Cambodia 's economy vulnerable to shocks. I note that Cambodia is taking measures to address 
these issues, for ex ample the launch of the Industrial Development Policy (IDP) in 2015, the 
simplification and automation of companies ' registration, and the adoption in 2014 of the "Revenue 
Mobilization Strategy ".  
3.12.   Debt management will also be important. Cambodia has run fi scal deficits throughout the 
review period, albeit at a declining rate  on account of revenue growth. Ensuring that external debt 
– which is currently at around 30% of GDP – remains at a manageable level, has been i dentified in 
the Secretariat 's report as an important consideration.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  Trade and investment profile  
3.13.   Moving to Cambodia 's Trade and Investment Profile, the integration of Cambodia 's economy 
to the global economy through market -oriented reforms has proven critical in Cambodi a's poverty 
reduction effo rts. Indeed, trade and investment are fundamental for Cambodia to achieve its 
economic and social objectives.  
3.14.   The ratio of trade in goods and services to GDP increased during the review period, from 
127% in  2011 to around 140% in 2016. At the same time, C ambodia 's trade deficit as a proportion 
of GDP decl ined, from 21% in 2013 to 17% in 2016.  
3.15.   Merchandise Exports continue to be heavily concentrated in clothing, which accounted for 
around two -thirds of total exports in 2016. Other manufactured goods, such a s footwear and 
handbags, accounted for a further 1 3% of total exports. Manufactures fell only marginally as a 
share of total exports over the review period, while agriculture increased slightly, due to a rise in 
rice exports. Cambodia 's main merchandise ex port destinations over the period were the EU, the 
US and Japan.  
3.16.   Cambodia 's merchandise imports continue to be highly concentrated – both in terms of 
product and origin. Textiles, especially fabrics and yarn, which are used as inputs for the garment 
indus try, represent the largest single import category. Over 90% of imports come from Asia, in 
particular China, Thailand and Vietnam.  
3.17.   The share of services in Cambodia 's total employment increased over the review period from 
27.3% in 2011 to 32.9% in 2015. In 2016, Cambodia 's main services exports consisted of travel 
(79.6%), whereas imports largely consisted of transportati on (51.5%) and travel (24.5%). 
Cambodia remains a net exporter of services; the trade balance increased from US $1.4 billion in 
2011 to abou t US$2.1 billion in 2015.  
3.18.   On tariff policy, as part of its WTO Accession, Cambodia bound 100% of its tariffs with 
nearly all applied on an ad valorem  basis, with just 14 lines subject to specific rates.  
3.19.   The average bound tariff is 20.9% and the simple average applied MFN tariff in 2017 was 
12.3% - a sligh t increase from 11.7% in 2011. Tariffs on agricultural products (on average 14.6 %) 
are higher than those on non -agricultural products (on average 11.9%), with the highest ad 
valorem  rate of 35% applying  to finished agricultural products, finished industrial products, and 
petroleum products.  
3.20.   Commitments in free trade agreements have been gradually reducing Cambodia 's effective 
rate of protection and supporting i ncreased trade and investment. Under the AS EAN trade in goods 
agreement, Cambodia has been following its agreed schedule for reducing tariffs on goods 
originating in its ASEAN trading partners. In 2015, duties on most of the tariff lines on its Inclusion 
List were reduced to zero, as scheduled, wit h tariff elimination scheduled for the remaining 7% of 
tariff lines on its Inclusion List by 2018.  
3.21.   The reduction of tariffs on ASEAN trade has been accompanied by rapid expansion of 
Cambodia 's trade with its ASEAN partners. During the period 2012 -16, Camb odia's exports to 
ASEAN countries rose at an average annual rate of almost 24%, compared with an average annual 
growth of 15% in its expo rts to the rest of the world. Imports from ASEAN countries also grew 
faster than impor ts from the rest of the world. I'll address regional  integration later.   
3.22.   Foreign Direct Investment has played a key role in Cambodia 's growth during the review 
period. FDI inflows rose from US$ 1.4 billion to US $2.3 billion during the review period, with the 
stock of inward FDI rising to U S$15 billion. Investment came primarily from the Asian region and 
was concentrated in the garment, agriculture, construction, tourism and financial sectors.  
3.23.   During the review period, Cambodia signed three new bilateral investment promotion and 
protection agreements and its fir st double taxation agreement. It is also undertaking an OECD 
Investment Policy Review (IPR).  Addressing ongoing foreign investor issues, such as the 
prohibition on foreign ownership of land and local workforce participation requiremen ts, will help 
make Cambodia a more attractive destination for foreign investment and trade.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  Participation in the Multilateral and Regional Agreements  
3.24.   Over the review period, Cambodia has deepen ed its engagement with the WTO.  It was one 
of the first LDCs to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement on 12 February 2016.  
3.25.   Through the Enhanced Integrated Framework, Cambodia has been the beneficiary of a 
number of technical assistance activities designed to assist LDCs integrate into the multilateral 
trading syst em, including projects on export diversification and e -trade remedies. In particular, the 
EIF supported Cambodia 's development of a Trade Sector -wide Approach Roadmap (kno wn as the 
Trade SWAP Roadmap). This roadmap sets out prioritiz ed reforms and actions for improving 
Cambodia 's trade performance and promoting diversi fication and inclusive growth. The Trade 
SWAP Roadmap also identified priority sectors for trade development of which the EIF is currently 
supporting , including  milled rice, high value silk, fisheries, cassava and hospitality.  
3.26.   Cambodia has also benefitted from the WTO Trade Development Support Programme 
focussed on increasing efficiencies in formulating and implementing  effective trade policies.  
3.27.   As mentioned earlier , Cambodia is a voice for the least -developed countries (LDCs) in the 
WTO, including in its capacit y as LDC Coordinator this year.  This is a very important task, 
particularly in a Ministerial Conference year where the agenda is packed and constantly  evolving.  
3.28.   In addition to its engagement at the multilateral level, Cambodia has focussed on 
strengthening regional economic integration ties, most notably as a member of the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  
3.29.   Under the ASEAN Economic Commun ity, intra -ASEAN import tariffs have been v irtually 
eliminated.  In addition, formal restrictions in services sectors are gradually being removed, and 
Cambodia is following the establi shed scheduled for the liberaliz ation of trade in services under the 
ASEA N Framework Agreement on Services.  
3.30.   Cambodia has also participated in the negotiation and implementation of ASEAN agreements 
on operational certification procedures, rules of origin and measures to safeguard the balance of 
payments; and is a signatory to A SEAN 's RTAs with China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, 
Australia and N ew Zealand . These agreements have the potential to strengthen Cambodia 's 
linkages with regional supply chains, and have also provided support to Cambodia 's internal reform 
path and  capacity -building efforts.  
3.31.   The ongoing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations could 
further simplify and strengthen Cambodia 's trade and inv estment links with the region. RCEP 
covers a comprehensive set of issues, including trade in goods and services, investment, economic 
and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e -commerce, and 
small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs).  
Trade -related reforms  
3.32.   The Secretariat 's report usefully sets out in d etail a number of trade -related reforms that 
Cambodia has undertaken during the review period. I'd like to highlight a few.  
3.33.   Firstly, customs procedures. Since 2011, Cambodia has made significant strides in this area, 
including through the use of the Singl e Administrative Document and the one -stop shop 
mechanism. Cambodia has also implemented the "Best Trader Programme " - a stepping -stone 
towards implementing the Authorized Economic Operator Programme as envisaged in Cambodia 's 
Customs Strategy and Work Pro gramme on Reforms (2014 -18).  
3.34.   Cambodia has also initiated procedures for advanced rulings, and , as mentioned earlier,  has 
ratified the WTO Ag reement on Trade Facilitation. Both of which will help further improve customs 
clearance times.  
3.35.   Secondly, techni cal regulations and standards. Cambodia mainly uses the ISO/IEC as a 
national guide to adopt international standards as national stand ards or technical regulations. 
There are currently 804 Cambodian standards, mainly on foods and electrical appliances. WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  According to the authorities, nearly 83% of Cambodian standards align wi th international 
standards.  During the review period, Cambodia has introduced a new Law on Animal Health and 
Production, and a law on food safety was drafted in 2015.  
3.36.   Cambodia continu es to face some difficulties with respect to its SPS regime.  These 
difficulties relate to defining responsibilities among various government agencies, lack of 
systematic inspection or monitoring of production and processing, and a certification system that  is 
not backed by testing, and not necessarily recognized in some markets.  To address these, 
Cambodia could look for opportunities to improve its regime, including through the Standards and 
Trade Development Facility (STDF) here at the WTO.  
3.37.   Lastly, I 'd like to highlight the mining that  manufacturing, banking and telecommunications 
sectors are potential growth areas. Services, in particular, have played a significant role in 
supporting economic growth, amounting to alm ost 40% of gross value in 2016.  Cambodia 's 
commitments under the GATS, reflecting its aim to attract FDI, remained unchanged throughout 
the review period, and its five RTAs involve co mmitments on trade in services. Further 
liberaliz ation and reform to domestic regulations in these  areas will hel p Cambodia realiz e its 
potential.  
Conclusion  
3.38.   This trade policy review is taking place in the context of a rapidly evolving global e conomic 
and trade environment.  
3.39.   The reforms Cambodia is undertaking have significant potential to strengthen its institutions  
and increase its attractiveness as a business, touri sm and investment destination. It will be 
important for Cambodia to successfully implement these reforms if it is to continue to enhance its 
integration into the multilateral trading system and to build its resilience a gainst future economic 
shocks. I encourage Cambodia to continue on its reform path and provide an environment that 
supports reform and open trade and investment.  
3.40.   I'd like to conclude by wishing Cam bodia a successful Review, and  once again t hank the 
delegation for giving me the honou r of acting as discussant. I look forward to listening to Members 
statements and questions.  
3.41.   Thank you.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
SINGAPORE  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.1.  Cambodia has been part of the ASEAN family for over 18 ye ars. ASEAN has been working 
together on a continuous journey towards greater regional economic integration through the 
ASEAN Economic Community. Over the years, and spurred on by the ASEAN Economic 
Community, Cambodia has achieved remarkable macroeconomic growth, with an annual GDP 
growth rate of over 7% since Cambodia 's first Trade Policy Review in 2011.  
4.2.  Cambodia 's profile in international trade has improved significantly. In 2016, Cambodia 's 
trade with ASEAN grew by 26%, accounting for a total of US$5.4 billion. We are confident that 
Cambodia will continue on this path of growth, given Cambodia 's strong commitment to trade 
liberalization, and the strengthening of multilateral and regional economic ties.  
4.3.  ASEAN appreciates the leadership of Cambodia as the  coordinator for the Least Developed 
Countries (LDC) Group this year. As coordinator, Cambodia, working together with other Members 
of the LDC Group, ensures that the Group 's needs and interests are represented in this house. 
ASEAN will continue to work cl osely with Cambodia and the LDCs to achieve meaningful outcomes 
at the upcoming Ministerial Conference.  
4.4.  Some of the ASEAN colleagues have submitted written questions and we thank Cambodia in 
advance for their written responses.  
4.5.  ASEAN wishes Minister Pan Sorasak and his delegation a successful trade policy r eview.  
SINGAPORE  
4.6.  Singapore and Cambodia enjoy warm and robust bilateral economic ties. Last year, Singapore 
was Cambodia 's fifth largest trading partner and foreign investor, and Singapore 's investments in 
Cambodia amounted to US$169 million. This spans across a wide range of sectors, including 
property development, financial services, energy and logistics. More recently, Singapore F&B 
businesses, such as Yakun, a local coffee house which serves a hearty Singaporean breakfast of 
coffee, eggs and toast, have set up  flagship stores in Cambodia.  
4.7.  Cambodia 's economy  has shown strong growth. Macro economic conditions are more stable 
today than before, although risks such as inflation r emain. We welcome Cambodia 's Industrial 
Development Policy, which aims, among others, to diversify Cambodia 's economy, reduce its 
dependence on garment manufacturing and improve agricultural productivity. Several important 
pieces of legislation, such as th e Law on Public Procurement, Law on Telecommunications, were 
adopted during the period under review. These are good developments that will provide 
predictability when doing business in Cambodia.  
4.8.  Trade and investment will continue to feature prominently on  Cambodia 's economic 
development agenda. We are encouraged by Cambodia 's commitment to a rules -based 
international trading system. Cambodia maintains a liberal investment regime and its services 
sectors are largely free of restrictions. Since its last TPR,  Cambodia has made significant strides in 
improving its customs procedures. It implemented the "Best Trader Programme ", which is a 
stepping stone towards the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme. Singapore is glad to 
have contributed to this initia tive by providing technical assistance alongside the WCO. We 
understand that the GDCE (General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia) is now 
conducting a pilot for its AEO programme.  
4.9.  There remain areas for improvement. While Cambodia has bound all its tariff lines, its applied 
MFN rate exceeded bound rates for over 60 lines at the HS eight -digit level. We urge Cambodia to 
bring its applied MFN tariffs in line with its bound commitments. We encourage Cambodia to fulfil 
its WTO notification obligation s, such as those concerning import prohibitions and import licensing. 
We also encourage Cambodia to improve its legislation process, which is crucial for the 
predictability of doing business. We note that a draft law on anti -dumping and safeguard measures 
is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly and a draft competition law is expected to be WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  submitted to the National Assembly for approval. We hope these l egislative pieces can be finaliz ed 
soon.  
4.10.   Finally, we congratulate Cambodia again on the esta blishment of a separate Permanent 
Mission of Cambodia to the WTO in June this year. This is a significant milestone for Cambodia and 
a testament of Cambodia 's commitment to the WTO. My delegation shares very good working 
relations with the Cambodian Missio n in Geneva, headed by Ambassador Pich Rithi. We hope to 
continue such relations in Geneva and beyond.  
CANADA  
4.11.   I would like to congratulate Cambodia for their leadership at the WTO in the role as the 
coordinator of the LDC group for 2017.  
4.12.   Canada and Cambod ia have a strong and dynamic economic partnership based on shared 
values and interests, including a ruled -based multilateral trading system , a mutual recognition of 
the importance of open trade to economic growth and prosperity. This understanding underpin s 
our important and mutually beneficial relationship, including at the WTO.  
4.13.   Canada is one of Cambodia 's top export destinations and bilateral trade has grown 
consistently over the past 10 years with two way trade currently at $CDN 1.23 billion, mostly due  
to imports from Cambodia.  
4.14.   Several Canadian companies have managed to establish a successful presence in Cambodia. 
The increasing numbers of Canadian companies active in sectors include Angkor Gold, Bee Doo 
Cloud Services, Architect firm B+H, and Manulife,  the first licenced foreign life insurance company 
in Cambodia. The "Banque Nationale " increased its investment in Cambodia 's Advance Bank of 
Asia (ABA) and now holds a 90 % interest in ABA Bank.  
4.15.   There are about 127 business registered with the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce as 
Canadian owned or partly owned by Canadians.   
4.16.   Significant challenges to doing business in Cambodia commonly cited by the private sector 
include weak rule of law, poor infra structure, high energy costs, corruption, and un der-developed 
human resources. Also, despite the Cambodian G overnment 's pro -business approach to 
transparency, corruption remains a significant concern. We call upon Cambodia to provide 
additional support to the private sector though programs to increase the understanding of new 
laws and regulations.  
4.17.   While both the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Kingdom 's private sector share the 
common goal of fostering a compliant, competi tive, and sustainable economy,  investors still 
consider that the positive impacts of reforms initiated by the Royal Government are yet to be felt 
in their daily operations.  
4.18.   We would like to take the opportunity today to highlight certain key issues identi fied by the 
business community . The issues are as follows:  
1. Access to dispute settlement mechanisms for trade issues . 
2. Better governance and credibility . 
3. Legal and judicial system reforms.  
4. Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights.  
4.19.   With respect to dispute settlement mechanis ms for trade issues, Cambodia 's current regime 
of provisional measures, as prescribed under the Trademark Law, does not provide detailed and 
clear procedures to enable relevant administrative authorities to provide support to businesses 
that are havi ng the ir trademarks infringed. Although the M inistry of Commerce received 
17 applications for the prevention of Trademark infringement in 2016, and mediated and settled 
12 of the cases, it may not address the entire needs of businesses.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.20.   I would like to draw atte ntion to the need for better governance rule of law approach and 
credibility in the form of a more modernized administration, and a clearer and updated legal 
framework.  
4.21.   Cambodia could work to provide additional support to the private sector to increase 
understandin g of new laws and regulations. Cambodia has not yet introduced a recourse 
mechanism through which companies with decisions of public institutions perceived to be irregular 
or inconsistent with the Kingdom 's laws can apply to have their case assess ed by an independent 
review mechanism.  
4.22.   We encourage Cambodia to develop a more detailed legal framework to enable stronger 
provisional measures in the protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Also, Cambodia should 
empower customs to prevent counterfeit goods and parallel imports from entering Cambodia.  
4.23.   Finally, Cambodia is ranked 135 among 190 economies in the Ease of Doing Business, 
according to the 2018 World Bank annual ratings.  I encourage the Cambodian government to 
improve business conditions and I believe the net result will be highly positive for Cambodia 's 
business environment in the medium to long term.  
4.24.   Allow me to conclude by underscoring the growing relationship Canada and Cambodia share 
which has spanned many decades. In addition to our bilateral ties, Canada and Cambodia are also 
partners in multilateral organizations. Canada is a Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast 
Asian Nations (ASEAN). Canada and Cambod ia cooperate in a number of other multilateral 
organizations, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). 
Canada -Cambodia relations encompass the full range of political, economic, development, and 
regional security issues, an d a promising commercial relations program. Canada looks forward to 
continuing this momentum in the months and years ahead. Canada would like to congratulate 
Cambodia for their on -going effor ts, and wish them a successful trade policy r eview.  
ARGENTINA  
4.25.   Argentina congratulates Cambodia on the strength of its real GDP growth in recent years. 
We welcome the fact that that growth has been inclusive and widespread, resulting in declining 
inequality and poverty levels.  
4.26.    We note in particular the positive outcomes  of prudent macroeconomic management, 
especially where inflation, unemployment levels and fiscal consolidation are concerned.  
4.27.   We would also highlight Cambodia's commitment to the multilateral trading system, and are 
pleased to see that this review mentions  the establishment of its Permanent Mission to the WTO 
and the country's role as a voice for the least developed countries.  
4.28.   We appreciate Cambodia's continuing openness to trade and encouragement of foreign 
direct investment (FDI), as reflected in its pred ictable import regime and the rise in FDI inflows 
during the review period.  
4.29.   Where trade relations between Argentina and Cambodia are concerned, we are pleased to 
point out that Argentina is Cambodia's main supplier from among the Latin American countries a nd 
the fourth destination for its exports to the region.  
4.30.   Total bilateral trade with Cambodia over the past five years reached a peak in 2016, 
amounting to US$31.8  million. Argentina's main exports to Cambodia in that year were hides and 
skins of bovine ani mals, wine, tobacco and candles. During the same period, Argentina's main 
imports from Cambodia were trunks/suitcases, footwear and textile clothing.  
4.31.   Lastly, we reiterate our appreciation of this renewed opportunity to exchange points of view 
and comments on the trade policies and practices of Cambodia, and would like to draw attention to 
the importance of this exercise in transparency from every point of view, while wishing the 
Cambodian authorities a successful conclusion to this review . WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  CHINA  
4.32.   By and lar ge, there has been a remarkably  rapid economic development during the period 
under review for Cambodia, with an annual GDP growth of over 7%. The excellent performance of 
economic development was featured by a steady and people -oriented micro -economic 
environment. Naturally, this has contributed significantly to the considerable improvement of its 
people 's welfare in terms of income increase, poverty alleviation, increase of literacy rate, better 
health condition, etc. We also would like to commend the posi tive measures and policies the 
Cambodian Government has undertaken to facilitate trade and investment, including some 
institutional and regulatory reform initiatives, the launching of the Industrial Development Policy, 
the simplification and automation of companies ' registration, and the improvement of the custom 
procedures.  
4.33.   Nevertheless, Cambodia is faced with certain constraints and challenges for its economic 
development as a LDC, like low road and water connectivity, and vulnerabilities to external 
circumstances. We would encourage Cambodia, therefore, to undertake further domestic reforms 
and adjustment of macroeconomic and trade policies, to tri gger the endogenous growth and 
enhance economic resilience and diversification.  
4.34.   Coming to the multilateral fr ont, Cambodia has always been a committed advocate of the 
multilateral trading system. During the review period, it improved its WTO commitments and 
ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2016. This year, Cambodia strongly voiced for LDCs. 
Notably, t he 5th China Roundtable for LDCs Accessions was successfully concluded in Siem Reap 
this March, and Prime Minister Hun Sen showed his honourable personal presence there, which 
fully demonstrated Cambodia 's support to the system and LDCs ' accession. This Th ursday and 
Friday, the 2nd South -South Dialogue on LDC and Development sponsored by China Programme 
will take place in Montreux. I look forward to Minister Plan Sorasak 's participation and your 
valuable contribution to the event.  
4.35.   From China 's perspective , as the largest developing country, we always attach great 
importance to the development dimension within this Organization. We have done a lot, and are 
more than willing to do more, to help LDCs better integrate into the multilateral trading system, 
benefi t more from trade and investment, and achieve steady and sustainable development.  
4.36.   Bilaterally, China and Cambodia have long been good friends and enjoyed complementary 
trade and investment relations with each other. China is the largest trading partner and  
investment origin for Cambodia, and one of the most contributing donor countries as well. In 
2016, the two -way trade expanded to US$4.76 billion, increasing 7.4% on a year -on-year basis. 
The two sides will continue to make our concerted efforts to reach t he objective of expanding the 
bilateral trade to US$6 billion, set by leaders of the two nations. In addition to trade, the 
accumulated investment from China amounted to US$4.48 billion. We have invested on a range of 
large-scale projects, with Sihanoukvil le Special Economic Zone being one of the spectacular ones. 
Further, we applaud Cambodia 's active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and would 
encourage more Chinese enterprises to do business in Cambodia.  
4.37.   The year of 2018 will mark the 60 year s' anniversary of the establishment of the two 
countries ' diplomatic ties. China stands ready to enhance our cooperation to a high level, focusing 
on the trade, investment and assistance to truly improve the welfare of the people in Cambodia.  
4.38.   That being sa id, we thank Cambodia for their replies to our questions and will study them 
carefully.  
4.39.   I wish this trade policy r eview a complete success, and a pleasant stay for Minister Pan 
Sorasak and your delegation here in Switzerland.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.40.   The United State s would like to commend Cambodia for the economic success it has 
maintained since the l ast Trade Policy Review (TPR). As one of the fastest growing world 
economies, Cambodia has become an increasingly important trading  partner of the United States. 
Since 2 011, the United States and Cambodia have experienced a 9.5 % increase in goo ds trade.  In WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  addition, we have further deepened our trade relationship through continued dialogue under the 
United States -Cambodia Trade and Investmen t Framework Agreement (TIFA).  
4.41.   As noted in the Secretariat 's report, Cambodia 's trade policy formulation and objectives are 
shaped by wide -ranging strategies such as the Cambodia Trade Integration Strategy (CTIS) and 
trade sect or-wide approach (Trade SWAp). These initiatives, together wi th the recent 
establishment of the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the WTO, demonstrate that international 
trade continues to be a focal point in Cambodia 's long-term economic growth plans. Cambodia 's 
success in maintaining high economic growth through tr ade-focused initiatives, together with its 
demonstrated efforts in meeting its WTO commitments, have made it an exemplary coordinator of 
the WTO 's LDC Group this year.  
4.42.   The United States appreciates Cambodia 's continued improvement in its WTO commitments 
by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), as well as its August 2017 submission to the 
WTO of its Category A, B, and C notifications and indicative dates for implementation of the 
various provisions of the TFA. We also would like to commend Cambo dia for other positive reforms 
made in the area of customs procedures since the last TPR, such as widening the use of ASYCUDA 
(the Automated System for Customs Data) to all Cambodian border posts and impleme nting the 
Best Trade Programme.  As the Secretaria t report notes, there is still room for further improvement 
in the area of customs procedures, and we look forward to seeing Cambodia continue to make 
such progress.  
4.43.   We commend Cambodia for the steps it has taken towards insulating its economy from 
externa l vulnerabilities through the Industrial Development Policy (IDP) 2 015-2025.  Cambodia 's 
IDP focuses on transitioning the country 's industrial structure from la bor-intensive industry to 
skill-driven industry with the ultimate goal of transforming Cambodia i nto a k nowledge -based 
modern economy. As part of this transition, Cambodia has launched some initiatives focused on 
improving t he quality of its labor force. These program mes include, but are not limited to, the 
Education Strategic Plan 2014 -18, the Royal Government 's technical vocational education and 
training policy, and programs for workers in the garment and tourism industries.  
4.44.   The United States also appreciates Cambodia 's commitment to improve its Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary (SPS) regime. As noted in the S ecretariat 's report, Cambodia 's SPS regime still faces 
a number of difficulties including problems with definitions of responsibilities and coordination 
between various agencies, limited capacity of these agencies, lack of adequate laboratory testing,  
and issues wi th inspections and monitoring. The United States encourages Cambodia to continue 
its efforts to improve its implementation of the WTO SPS Agreement.  
4.45.   With respect to government procurement, the WTO Secretariat report notes that Cambodia 
is neither an observer to, nor a M ember of, the WTO 's Agreement on Gove rnment Procurement 
(GPA). The United States encourages Cambodia to consider becoming an observer to the GPA.  
4.46.   As noted in the Secretariat report, Cambodia, in conjunction with the International Labour 
Organization (ILO), has implemented a system through the Better Factories Programme to 
regularly monitor working condi tions in some export factories.  In addition, during the review 
period, Cambodia enacted the Law on Trade Unions, whic h aims to provide a more detailed legal 
framework for the operation of trade unions by clarifying the rights and responsibilities of workers ' 
and employers ' organizations, and cope with the proliferation of unions.  However, Cambodia has 
acknowledged in th e ILO 's Direct Contacts Mission Report that the Law on Trade Unions has 
created a number of difficulties, which have threatened workers ' free exercise of their right to 
freedom of association, including confusion in relation to the trade union registration  process and 
the need to issue instructions and training in this regard. As noted in our questions, we look 
forward to hearing what steps Cambodia has taken to ensure that trade unions and administrative 
officials have a clear understanding of the new syst em of registration.  
4.47.   The United States welcomes the efforts by Cambodia to improve enforcement of intellectual 
property rights (IPR), although as noted in the WTO Secretariat report, IPR infringeme nt continues 
to be widespread. In addition, as the Secretari at report highlights, Cambodia has not made 
substantial change to its IPR legisla tion during the review period. We encourage Cambodia to 
incorporate further development in its IPR regime as part of its efforts to increase foreign 
investm ent and diversify i ts economy. Membership to treaties and conventions, such as the WIPO WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, and the Berne Convention for the 
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works related t o Copyrights and Related Rights  are key to 
Cambodia 's long -term development into a knowledge -based economy. Cambodia noted it has been 
receiving technical assistance from WIPO to aid in i ts accession to these treaties.  We would like to 
hear in more detail what kind of technical assistance WIPO has p rovided regarding these copyright 
treaties and what are the current tim elines for their ratification. In addition, we would like to 
confirm if, upon ratification, these treaties will be self -executing under Cambodian law.  
4.48.   The United States appreciates Camb odia's efforts to prepare for this review and commends 
Cambodia for its demonstrated accomplishments in trade and investment reform.  Cambodia 's 
success in maintaining robust growth through inclusive trade policy makes i t a role model for other 
LDCs. The Un ited States wishes the delegation of Cambodia a successful review, and we look 
forward to continued dialogue with Cambodia at the WTO and on a bilateral basis.  
BRAZIL  
4.49.   I extend Brazil 's greetings to Ambassador Pich Rithi and his team in Geneva, congratulati ng 
them for their active participation in WTO, including as this year 's coordinator of the LDC Group, a 
key role on the road to MC -11. 
4.50.   As we heard from Minister Sorasak, the economy of Cambodia has undergone consistent 
economic growth since its last TPR, with a robust performance in the past three years. The 
impressive average annual growth of more than 7% between 2011 and 2017, supported  by sound 
fiscal and monetary policies and an overall openness to trade, resulted in important results in the 
reduction of poverty and inequality.  
4.51.   Tourism also played a major role. It is the largest contributor to GDP, with a participation in 
the Cambodia n economy well above the world average. The s ector alone contributed with 12.2% 
of GDP and 11. 4% of total employment, without including related activities and indirect jobs. 
Improvements in domestic infrastructure as well as the Tourism Development Strateg ic Plan 
2012-2020, with its focus in enhanced regional and international connectivity, will strengthen 
sectorial preparedness and facilitate the attraction of investments.  
4.52.   Now turning to agriculture, a system still largely based on subsistence production poses 
some challenges to Cambodia, considering the low level of overall productivity and lack of price 
competitiveness when compared to neighboring countries. Relatively high agricultural tariffs are an 
additional burden on consumers, increasing prices fac ed by them. Nevertheless, the country is 
virtually self -sufficient in some major products of the national diet, such as  rice – which is also 
exported.  There should be room for diversifying the domestic agricultural production, which relies 
on a relatively short number of crops, mostly rice, rubber and cassava – and, still on the primary 
sector, for improvements in the combat against trade in illegal fisheries and logging products.  
4.53.    In manufacturing, clothing is the most dynamic sector. The robust expansion  of garment 
production and exports allowed for a reduction in Cambodia 's current account deficit and attracted 
substantial FDIs, spurred by a liberal, investor -friendly investment regime. The sector clearly 
illustrates the benefits of international trade f or adding value to the domestic economy: 
Cambodia 's main single import category is textiles, coming mainly from Asia, which are 
subsequently used as inputs in the garment industry and exported to markets in other regions 
such as the European Union and the USA. It certainly helps that Cambodia has made significant 
improvements in its customs regime, namely through the creation of a Single Administrative 
Document, reducing average customs clearance time. We commend those efforts.  
4.54.   International trade has contr ibuted to the strong performance of the Cambodian economy 
over the last years, supported by participation in several non -reciprocal preference schemes such 
as GSP, DFQF and EBA, and, increasingly, by the liberalization efforts under several ASEAN 
initiativ es. This has facilitated Cambodia 's integration to value chains and the opening of new 
markets for its products . Reinforcing regional integration will undoubtedly generate additional 
benefits for the country. Pursuing the implementation of the Trade Facili tation Agreement will also 
engender gains for the country 's economic environment.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.55.   On the bilateral front, trade flows between Cambodia and Brazil are very small, but have 
seen a rise in the last year. Brazil 's exports consist mainly of machinery and tobac co; imports from 
Cambodia include textiles, clothing and footwear. There are opportunities for expansion and 
diversification of trade, and Brazil wants to explore them. In this context, it is worth noting that 
the Ministers of Foreign Relations from MERCOS UR and ASEAN met this last September, at the 
margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, and committed to enhance the economic, trade 
and investment ties between our two regions.  
4.56.   We have submitted a set of questions on measures related to applied MFN r ates exceeding 
bounds rates and on the availability of copyright exceptions for the blind and print disabled, under 
the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty. We thank the delegation for the answers provided, which will be 
conveyed to our capital.  
4.57.   Let me conclude  by wishi ng the Cam bodian delegation a successful trade policy r eview.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.58.   We see from the reports that Cambodia has been experiencing strong GDP growth during 
the period under review. Over the last 5 y ears, the ratio of trade in goods and services to GDP 
increased, foreign exchange reserves have more than doubled, and FDI inflows have risen, 
probably in response to the government 's continuing liberal and investor -friendly regime.  
4.59.   In fact, there have bee n several positive developments and improvements across many 
aspects of Cambodia 's economic, trade and investment regimes. On tariffs, for example, 
predictability has been noticeably increased by a series of adjustments to the bound rates. 
Cambodia 's custo ms procedures have improved significantly since the introduction of its "Best 
Trader Programme ", which is a stepping -stone towards the Authorized Economic Operator 
Programme. Its efforts to improve legislation procedures are also very encouraging, in parti cular, 
the draft law on anti -dumping and safeguard measures, which is expected to be in force by the 
end of the year. We look forward to learning more about that.  
4.60.   Other positive developments include the fact that nearly 83% of Cambodia 's standards are 
now aligned with international standards, with SPS regulations to follow shortly, and there has 
been a marked improvement in IPR enforcement. We commend the Cambodian Government too 
on transforming the agriculture sector into one driven by new technologies in an environmentally 
sustainable manner. And, of course, we congratulate Cambodia on its rice being ranked 2nd, just 
after Thailand, in the World 's Best Rice contest at the 9th World Rice Conference earlier this 
month.  
4.61.   It is also clear from the reports that tourism -related services and agriculture continue to be 
the main drivers of Cambodia 's growth, and its merchandise exports are still concentrated on 
garments and rice. We are pleased to learn, therefore, that Cambodia is embarking on a 
programme of reform initiatives to address the issues of diversification and competitiveness, as 
well as to improve the business climate and fiscal situation.  
4.62.   We commend Cambodia on its continuing commitment to the multilateral trading system, as 
shown by its recent ratificat ion of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). It also seeks to 
strengthen its regional economic ties through implementation and/or negotiation of several ASEAN 
agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).  
4.63.   At the same time,  there remains a significant amount of work to do in areas such as the SPS 
regime, IPR infringement, agriculture tariff protection, merchandise transportation costs, 
infrastructure connectivity at the regional level, mobile telephony penetration and e -Comm erce 
development, technical and vocational training, etc. We can only encourage the Cambodian 
Government to maintain its open trade regime and to continue developing its trade and 
investment policies in the same directions that they are currently taking.  
4.64.   Bilateral relations between Cambodia and the Separate Custom Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu are growing closer. We are Cambodia 's 5th largest source of FDI. Two -way 
trade between us amounted to US$750 million in 2017, and there has been a su rge in imports 
from Cambodia since its last review in 2011. We look forward now to the proper protection of the WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  rights and interests of our businesses in Cambodia, and to working together to expand our 
exchanges of personnel, capital, technology, culture a nd education, in line with international 
norms.  
4.65.   We wish Cambodia a successful second trade policy review.  
INDONESIA  
4.66.   Indonesia associates itself with the ASEAN statement made by Singapore and  also 
commends Ambassador Pich Rithi and his Geneva -based delegati on for the good cooperation as 
fellow ASEAN member; and for their active engagement as coordinator of the LDC G roup.  
4.67.   Indonesia applauds Cambodia for the good performance of its economy since the last review 
in 2011. As stated by ASEAN, real GDP has been st rong, and grew at an average annual rate of 
over 7%. Since 2013, export expansion has been robust, which took care of the previously 
prevalent current account deficit. Indonesia also commends the Cambodian government for the 
significant strides in improvin g its custom procedure.  
4.68.   In the last five years, in the period between 2012  and 2016, which covers the majority of 
timeframe of this review period, Cambodia and Indonesia have been enjoying a good bilateral 
trade. Average yearly trade reached over US$394 mi llion, with an average yearly trade growth of 
11.09%.  
4.69.   During the same 2012 to 2016 time period, average yearly Indonesian export to Cambodia 
reached over US$375 million. And average yearly bilateral trade value reached over 
US$394  million . 
4.70.   And Indonesia is  happy to see that over time, Cambodia has been benefiting much from our 
mature trade ties; including to take a good advantage of Indonesia 's large market to absorb 
Cambodia 's exports.  
4.71.   Within the period under review, average yearly growth of Cambodian exports to Indonesia 
reached 22.95%; which means, Cambodian  export growth to Indonesia is over two times larger 
than the growth figure of imports from Indonesia (at 10.6%). Additionally, Ca mbodian export 
growth to Indonesia is also two times larger than the growth figure of our bilateral trade value (at 
11.08%).  
4.72.   Indonesia wishes to use this opportunity to briefly address its concerns on Cambodia 's trade 
policies and measures, related to expo rt licenses, standards and technical regulations, state 
trading enterprises, illegal trade of fisheries and forestry goods, local content requirement on the 
mining sector, and domestic registration for foreign investment on professional services sector.  
4.73.   Hence, Indonesia encourages  Cambodia to make  improvements  in updating  its notifications  
to the WTO.  We note that Cambodia has never  notified  any state trading  enterprises  to the WTO.  
We also note that there are 804 Cambodian standards of which 151 are techni cal regulations. And 
we praise Cambodia for having aligned 83% of its national standards, with that of international 
standards. However, we questioned that there are only three TBT notifications ever notified by the 
Cambodian G overnment.  
4.74.   We have addressed these concerns in our advanced written questions, and we thank 
Cambodia for the answers provided this morning to our questions. The Indonesian delegation will 
be in touch with the Geneva -based Cambodian delegation for possible clarification to the answers 
provided.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.75.   The EU would like to start by pointing out the importance and significance of Cambodia 's 
accession to the WTO in 2004. In doing so, it was a pioneer for other LDCs at the time with regard 
to the working party negotiation process. Thanks to domestic reforms based on multilateral 
principles and increased access to third country markets while b ecoming a member, Cambodia has 
successfully integrated itself into the world economy. During the period under review, shares in WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  GDP of goods export and import rose and, in absolute terms, the services balance improved. In 
short, WTO rules delivered on the economic growth and development for Cambodia.  
4.76.   The EU would like to highlight some of the positive issues that have emerged during the 
period under review.  
4.77.   First, we congratulate Cambodia 's strong economic performance. Since the last review in 
2011, real G DP has grown at an average annual rate of about 7%, with construction, 
manufacturing (mainly garments) and tourism -related services, being the main drivers of growth. 
The robust economic growth has been inclusive and widespread, with poverty levels declini ng 
(from 26% in 2011 to 14% in 2015) which also allowed Cambodia to graduate from low income to 
lower -middle income status in 2015. Prudent macroeconomic management has also resulted in 
moderate inflation, a stable exchange rate and a relatively low unempl oyment rate (0.3% in 
20161). However, we note that for the financial system, the expanding economy has resulted in 
rapid expansiona ry credit growth (+25.8% in mid -2016 and +28% in 2015) which has raised 
concerns about an overheating of the economy and the formation of a construction and real estate 
bubble. These two sectors accounted for nearly 30% of real growth in 2015 and are projected to 
remain the second most dynamic driver of growth after the garment sector.  
4.78.   Second, the EU is pleased to note the impr ovements made in Cambodian customs 
procedures. The ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in February 2016  was an 
important step . The EU welcomes Cambodia 's category A commitments notified to the WTO and 
would be very much interested, along t he lines discussed in the last Committee on Trade 
Facilitation, to know when Cambodia intends to notify its needs for assistance related to its 
category C measures.  
4.79.   Third, the EU commends Cambodia 's open and investor -friendly investment regime, offering 
incentives to various sectors under many schemes. FDI is concentrated in the garment sector, 
agriculture, construction and the financial sector.  
4.80.   As we do with all Everything But Arms  beneficiary coun tries, we are closely monitoring 
Cambodia 's compliance with its human rights and fundamental freedoms obligations. Regarding 
our bilateral trade relations, the EU is one of Cambodia 's main trade partners. In 2016, the EU was 
Cambodia 's main export destinat ion with a value of around €4.6 billion which represents an 
increase of more than 11.2% compared to 2015. Cambodia 's exports to the EU are concentrated in 
clothing (74.7% export -share to the EU), footwear (11.4%), bicycles (6.2%) and rice (3.9%).  
4.81.   EU develo pment cooperation in Cambodia is designed to support Cambodia 's policies 
reflected in Cambodia 's Rectangular Strategy and National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). 
For the period 2014 -2020, Cambodia  has an indicative  bilateral  allocation of €410 million focusing 
on three focal areas:  (1) agriculture and natural resources management ; (2) develo pment of basic 
education/skill s; and (3) reforms in governance and public administration.  
4.82.   In addition, t he EU is also a donor of trade -related assistance in Cambodia  which  support 
has contributed to simplifying export and import procedures as well as the implementation of a 
programme of customs automation ; the new programme ARISE plus Cambodia, co -funded by the 
EU, is expected to start implementation early 2018, in close coordination with the regional 
component of the same programme which is supporting ASEAN economic integration . We al so note 
the customs reforms highlighted by the Discussant.  
4.83.   Despite all these positive developments the EU would also like to raise a few concerns, some 
related to the questions we submitted earlier.  
4.84.   First of all, we would like to highlight the importance for Cambodia to improve the general 
business environment, i.e. promote good governance and transparency, and address weak 
institutional capacity by enacting and implementing legislation.  We also encourage Cambodia to 
keep up its efforts to fight corruption . 
                                                
1 Source: World Bank.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.85.   Second, the EU would encourage Cambodia to pursue efforts to diversify its export products 
and markets and to improve its infrastructure.  
4.86.   Finally, while recognising steps made by Cambodia in the area of sanitary and phytosanitary 
(SPS) measures, the EU encourages Cambodia to continue efforts to further improve inspection 
and certification systems . 
4.87.   On behalf of the EU, I look forward to a constructive exchange of views during this review 
and I wish Cambodia 's delegation  the utmost success during its trade  policy r eview.  
MALAYSIA  
4.88.   Malaysia also associates herself to the ASEAN Statement delivered by Singapore.  
4.89.   We would also like to take this opportunity to first commend Ambassador Pitch Ritch and his 
team for their constructive engagement with all delegation s here in Geneva in working at our 
shared commitment to the multilateral trading system. In addition, we also congratulate Cambodia 
for the leadership as coordinator for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group this year.  
4.90.   We are pleased to note that Camb odia's economy has continued to do well through 
challenging times and the GDP has been s trong averaging at 7% annually as stated in the 
Secretariat report. Cambodia has demonstrated its ability to adjust in the challenging international 
economic environmen t. Such we are encouraged by the efforts by Cambodia in striving to improve 
its trade and investment regime.  
4.91.   We note from the Secretariat 's report that Cambodia  has made institutional and structural 
reforms since her last TPR in 2011. Against the global b ackdrop, Cambodia managed to address 
these challenges through various efforts such as the Industrial Development Policy (IDP), as well 
as simplification and automation of process pertaining to business registration among others.   
4.92.   We are also encouraged by  Cambodia 's initiatives in improving her competitiveness through 
adoption of new trade -related and investment policies, despite prohibition and restrictions in 
certain aspects of ownership in of foreign ownership certain services sectors.  
4.93.   Malaysia also commends Cambodia for its steadfast support and commitments to the 
Multilateral Trading System. Cambodia was the 8th least -developed country ratifying the TFA last 
year. In facilitating trade, we welcome efforts undertaken by Cambodia in improving the cust oms 
procedure domestically, among others.  
4.94.   While we gear up towards the MC 11 this December, Malaysia calls on Cambodia, as 
Coordinator of the LDC for a meaningful outcome at the MC11, deliverables that would benefit all 
Members with development at the core.  
4.95.   Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Cambodia has b een relatively was valued at 
US$424.4  million in 2016 of which Malaysia 's exports am ounted to US$ 284.6 m illion and imports 
valued at US$139.8million. Malaysia 's main export s to Cambodia are mainly textile s, apparels and 
footwear, followed by petroleum products and processed food. Imports from Cambodia are mainly 
textiles, natural rubber and palm oil and palm based agriculture products. While trade remains 
small, the trend has indicated a gradual increase s ince 2002 to 2016.  
4.96.   On the investment front, Cambodia has emerged as among key destination for Malaysian 
companies. This include in the areas of manufacturing as well as the services and the financial 
sector. Cambodia 's relatively open and liberal investmen t regime has been the key to FDI. While 
so, we encourage Cambodia to continue pursuing business friendly trade and investment policies.  
4.97.   Malaysia would like to express our appreciation to the responses that Cambodia has 
provided to our written questions the se are currently being examined at the Capital. We will also 
be submitting additional questions later and look forward to receiving the feedback.  
4.98.   Malaysia wishes the deleg ation of Cambodia a successful second trade policy r eview.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  THAILAND  
4.99.   Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN 's statement delivered by Ambassador Tan 
of Singapore.  
4.100.   As close neighbors and members of ASEAN, Cambodia and Thailand have a strong and 
longstanding trade relation. Thailand and Cambodia established a Joint Trade Committe e in the 
year 2000, with a view to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the forum is chaired 
by the respective Ministers of Commerce and 6 meetings have been held.  
4.101.   In September, our Prime Minister also visited Phnom Penh for a successful third  
Thailand -Cambodia Joint Cabinet Retreat. During the said meeting, Thailand and Cambodia also 
signed a double taxation agreement that protects each country 's nationals from dual taxation, 
aiming to encourage bilateral investment and strengthen economic tie s. 
4.102.   Both countries are also members of the ASEAN Economic Community which provides trade 
and investment liberalization within ASEAN where we look to further enhance the AEC with 
continuous liberalizations.  
4.103.   With strong fundamentals for trade cooperation, our  bilateral trade has been expanding 
steadily at a healthy level, averaging 15.1% growth annually since 2011. As a result, Cambodia 
ranked as Thailand 's 21st largest trading partner in 2016, with trade value of US$5.55 billion. We 
hope that the mutually ben eficial trader relation will continue.  
4.104.   We would like to congratulate Cambodia on its solid economic growth since the last review, 
with real GDP growth averaging 7% since 2011, driven mainly by the construction, manufacturing, 
and tourism sectors.  
4.105.   We commen d Cambodia for having ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in February 
last year, and also for further enhancing its customs procedures and improving clearance time, 
including through the initiation of procedures for advance ruling and the implemen tation of the 
Single Administrative Document, the one -stop mechanism, and the "Best Trader Programme ", 
used as a first step towards the Authorized Economic Operator Programme.  
4.106.   We note that Investment regimes remain open and investor -friendly, and that the 
Government is proactively addressing longstanding weaknesses and arising challenges such as 
basic infrastructure costs, access and cost of finance, skill shortages, logistics and trade 
facilitation, and technology upgrading.  
4.107.   Cambodia has been an active and  valued contributor in the WTO, especially as the 
coordinator of the LDC Group and as an essential member of the ASEAN family here in Geneva. 
We also congratulate Cambodia as it further emphasized its commitment to the multilateral trading 
system and the W TO by officially establishing the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the WTO 
earlier this year.  
4.108.   In this review, Thailand submitted several questions to Cambodia and we look forward to 
the responses which we will study with great interest.  
4.109.   In conclusion, Thai land would like to express its appreciation to the Cambodian delegation 
for today 's presentation. We are thankful for the close and friendly cooperation with Cambodia in 
every level, including the Geneva -based Cambodian delegation led by Ambassador Pich Ri thi. We 
wish Cambodi a every success in this second trade policy r eview.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.110.   Australia is please d to participate in the second t rade policy r eview of Cambodia, and we 
thank Cambodia for its responses to the questions Australia submitted.  
4.111.   Australia ha s a long -standing engagement in Cambodia spanning over 65 years since the 
establishment of diplomatic relations. Our bilateral relationship is broad and covers many areas WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  including trade and investment, development cooperation, education, transnational cri me and 
regional security.  
4.112.   We are working together to maximise trade and investment opportunities in the region, 
including by negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and further 
implementing AANZFTA. We are committed to economic cooperat ion through multilateral forums  
such as the World Trade Organiz ation and the East Asia Summit. This shared commitment has 
promoted prosperity and economic integration in our region.  
4.113.   As one of the working party M embers that negotiated with Cambodia ahead of  its WTO 
accession, Australia is pleased to continue to engage with Cambodia in the WTO. We welcome 
Cambodia 's progress from one of the first two least developed countries to join WTO through the 
full accession, to Cambodia 's role this year as coordinator of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) 
Group in the WTO. Cambodia 's role will no doubt translate into a stronger engagement by LDCs in 
the global trading system and to an invigorated WTO.  
4.114.   Cambodia is one of the fastest -growing economies in our region, with  strong activity in 
garment manufactu ring, tourism and construction.  This growth saw Cambodia 's economy reach 
lower -middle income status in 2015.  
4.115.   Alongside Cambodia 's economic growth and poverty reduction, we note that bilateral trade 
with Australia has r apidly increased, albeit from a low base. Total two -way merchandise trade 
increased from AUD52 million in 2010 to AUD258 million in 2016. The Australian aid program me is 
supporting ways to increase incomes through private sector engagement, while also cont inuing to 
help improve health and education outcomes, and agricultural productivity.  
4.116.   Australia continues to work closely with Cambodia and all ASEAN member S tates to 
strengthen regional intellectual property systems. Under the Australia WIPO Funds -in-Trust 
Australia supported WIPO to assist Cambodia formulate a national IP strategy in 2013. The aim of 
the National IP Strategy is to harness national IP capacities to achieve development goals and 
policies. Australia has also worked through the ASEAN Australia  New Zealand Free Trade Area 
Economic Cooperation Work Program me to support Cambodian accession to and implementation of 
the Madrid Protocol. Australia welcomes the accession of Cambodia to the Madrid Protocol as well 
as the Patent Cooperation Treaty.  
4.117.   We acknowledge Cambodia 's policies that seek to sustain growth, create jobs and 
modernise and diversify its economy, particularly into tourism and other service sectors. 
Notwithstanding, we urge Cambodia to continue to improve its business, trade and investme nt 
operating environment, and to encourage balanced foreign investment from diverse sources.  
4.118.   We wish Cambodia a successful trade policy r eview and look forward to the discussions 
over the next few days.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.119.   Korea and Cambodia have enjoyed an  excellent economic relationship over the years. Last 
year the two -way trade volume between two countries reached to US$801 million which is  
15 times bigger than that of 1997 when two countries re -established the diplomatic relation. 
Moreover, with a total  accumulation of US$4.5 billion of investments, Korea is the second largest 
foreign investor in Cambodia.  
4.120.   From 1987 to 2016, Korea provided Cambodia with a development aid of US$203 million 
focusing on education, health, rural development and transportati on.   
4.121.   Our economic relationship has been further enhanced since the entry into force of the FTA 
in goods between Korean and the ASEAN in 2008, FTA in Services in 2009, and FTA in Investment 
in 2010 respectively.  
4.122.   We are pleased to note that our two countri es are currently negotiating Double taxation 
avoidance Agreement. In this regards, our two G overnments should encourage our delegation to WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  actively engage in and to conclude the negotiation in a timely manner in order to provide our 
investors with  a better business environment.  
4.123.   We note that Cambodia has achieved steady economic growth since its previous TPR in 
2011 as the Secretariat 's report highlights. It is noteworthy that the ratio of trade in goods and 
services to GDP increased to around 140% in  2016 from 127% in 2011. Supported by Cambodia 's 
liberal and investor -friendly regime as indicated in the Report, FDI inflows also rose to 
US$2.3  billion during the review period.  
4.124.   In this regards, we recognize and praise Cambodia 's strong commitment to an open and 
multilateral trade system. Korea  appreciates Cambodia 's important role as LDC Group coordinator 
for MC11. Cambodia improved its WTO commitments by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(TFA). D uring the review period, Cambodia has also made a  meaningful improvement  in its 
customs procedures. We also note that Cambodia continues to pursue trade liberalization through 
regional trade agreements, including the negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership (RCEP).  
4.125.   While it is fair to highlight Cambodia 's achievements, I would like to take this opportunity 
to point out some concerns over Cambodia 's trade -related policies. We are concerned about the 
escalation of Cambodia 's average applied tariff rate by 0.6% during the review period.2 We also 
note that in some cases the applied rates are above their bound levels. We are also concerned 
about the revocation of Economic Land Concessions (ELCs). We are of the view that fair 
compensations should be given to foreign investors for the cancelled ELCs.  
4.126.   At this TPR, Korea  submitted advance written questions on the prepayment tax regarding 
industries that are exempted, exemption period, impact on industries, etc. We thank the 
delegation of Cambodia for providing answers to those questions, which we will review carefully.   
4.127.   Korea is pleased to note the steps Cambodia has taken since the last review to make the 
overall trading environment more efficient and we certainly encourage Cambodia to continue in the 
direction of facilitating trade, inc reasing investment, strengthening administrative capacity and 
enhancing the overall economic environment in a sustainable way.  
4.128.   Korea looks forward to working with Cambodia to enhance opportunities for trade and 
investment, and hence promote Cambodia 's economic growth.  
4.129.   In closing, we would like to express once again appreciation to the delegation of Cambodia 
for their hard work and wish them every success in this TPR.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.130.   The Philippines as sociates itself with the ASEAN s tatement delivered by Ambass ador Tan 
Yee Woan of Singapore that recognizes Cambodia 's recent remarkable economic growth and its 
leadership role as coordinator of the LDC group in the WTO this year.  
4.131.   The Philippines and Cambodia have long -standing bilateral relations. In fact, this ye ar 
marks the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Bilateral trade continues to expand with 
Philippine exports to Cambodia increasing by more than 76% in 2016 compared to the previous 
year. Similarly, Philippine imports from Cambodia expanded by mo re than 68% during the same 
period.  
4.132.   In December 2011, the Philippines and Cambodia held the first Joint Commission for 
Bilateral Consultations (JCBC) in Phnom Penh. This paved the way for the signing of a 
memorandum of agreement on air services in 2012, wh ich led to the launch of direct flights 
between Manila and Siem Reap. The availability of direct flights helped boost tourism, trade and 
commerce, and people connectivity between our two countries.  
                                                
2 Cambodia 's simple average applied MFN tariff rose from 11.7% in 2011 to 12.3% in 2017.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.133.   Our established bilateral ties were reaffirmed during the State Visit of the Philippine 
President to Cambodia on 13 -14 December 2016, where cooperation agreements in the areas of 
labor, sports, combatting transnational crimes, and tourism were signed.  
4.134.   Cambodia 's prudent macroeconomic management has resulted in i ts inclusive and 
widespread economic growth with moderate inflation, relatively low unemployment, and 
manageable external debt levels. It has also maintained an open economy committed to the 
multilateral trading system.  
4.135.   The Philippines notes that internati onal trade remained central to Cambodia 's efforts in 
raising the incomes and welfare of its citizens. The trading regimes of WTO, ASEAN, and the 
various generalized syst em of preferences (GSP) of WTO M embers, shape the external 
environment in which Cambodi a pursues its development objectives.  
4.136.   The Philippines appreciates Cambodia 's support during the Philippines ' Chairmanship of the 
ASEAN this year and we look forward to further strengthening the economic relations between our 
two countries through the upcom ing Philippines -Cambodia JCBC  in the Philippines in 
December  2017.  
4.137.   In closing, the Philippines congratulates Cambodia 's Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak and 
Ambassador Pich Rithi for its second  trade policy review. We also like to express our appreciation 
to Ambassador Frances Mary Lisson of Australia for her insightful comments as discussant, and to 
the Secretariat for a comprehensive report.  
MYANMAR  
4.138.   It is also a great pleasure for us to associate ourselves with the statements delivered on 
behalf of the ASEA N and the LDCs.  
4.139.   Myanmar and Cambodia are closely working together not only in WTO 's Multilateral Trading 
System but also in many regional agendas including ASEAN and GMS. In terms of bilateral 
initiative, Myanmar and Cambodia signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of 
ordinary passports in Nay Pyi Taw in December 2013. The two countries agreed to establish joint 
marketing efforts including joint events to promote new package tours such as a proposed 
"Angkor -Bagan, Two Ancient Capitals -One Destination " tour. According to our record, the two -way 
trade between Myanmar and C ambodia reached about US$3 million  in 2016 -2017 Fiscal Year.  
4.140.   Cambodia has taken the role of LDCs Group Coordinator for this year, 2017, and we have 
fully supported Cambodia in this role. We believe that the role of LDCs Group Coordinator in the 
WTO is ver y important for the Group and we congratulate Cambodia for its best contribution and 
able leadership as the Coordinator for LDCs Group.  
4.141.   Based on the Secretariat 's report, I would like to highlight some points on trade and 
economic development of Cambodia as well as some ke y policy measures and reforms. The real 
GDP of Cambodia has increased 7% annually and it is remarkable. The merchandise t rade volume 
of Cambodia was US$ 22.5 billion in 2016. The foreign exchange res erves reached approximately 
US$8.3 billi on in 2016. During the review period, th e FDI inflow of Cambodia is US$ 2.3 billion.  
4.142.   In this review period, Cambodia has undertaken some institutional and regulatory reform 
initiatives in areas including the promotion of the Ministry of Commerce 's role, the  establishment 
of a Permanent Mission to the WTO, and anti -corruption. Cambodia adopted the Revenue 
Mobilization Strategy (RMS) in 2014 and launched the Industrial Development Policy (IDP) in 
2015.  
4.143.   In the areas of trade related regulations, Cambodia enacte d the Law on Geographical 
Indication (GI) in 2014 and acceded in 2015 to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement 
Concerning the International Registration of Marks. Cambodia has become a member of the Patent 
Cooperation Treaty and the Hague Agreement  concerning the International Registration of 
Industrial Designs in 2016. Moreover, Cambodia already ratified the WTO 's Trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA) which has entered into force early this year.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.144.   The delegation of Myanmar is pleased to convey our sin cere appre ciation to His Excellency 
Mr. Pan Sorasak, H ead of delegation and his team for their constructive engagement throughout 
this TPR.  
4.145.   In conclusion, we wish the delegation of Cambodia every success in  their second trade 
policy r eview.  
INDIA  
4.146.   Since the  last review, the Cambodian economy has witnessed a robust GDP growth rate of 
over 7% annually and sharp rise in per capita income. The growth has been driven by 
construction, manufacturing (mainly garment exports) and tourism services. The economic growth  
which has been inclusive has led to decline in inequality and poverty in Cambodia. The challenges 
for Cambodia as an LDC include structural constraints in the economy, addressing poverty, 
vulnerability to financial shocks, narrow economic base, exchange r ate fluctuations, fiscal deficits 
and under -developed financial markets. Cambodia also has a large informal sector which is 
dependent on agriculture and services. We commend the Government of Cambodia for taking 
several measures which include prudent macro economic management, launching the industrial 
development policy in 2015, simplification of trade and investment regime in adopting a revenue 
mobilisation strategy in 2014 which has augmented government revenues and helped in fiscal 
consolidation. As a res ult of new investment policies during the period under review the FDI 
inflows into Cambodia also rose to US$2.3 billion mainly in the manufacturing, garments, 
agriculture and financial sectors.  
4.147.   India and Cambodia share warm, cordial and friendly relations.  Under India 's "Look-East 
Policy " our ties in recent years have further strengthened and deepened with Cambodia and all 
other ASEAN countries. There have been regular high -level, political and also business exchanges 
between both countries. India 's trade w ith Cambodia which stood at US$141 million in 2 016-17 
though modest  has considerable potential to grow in areas like drug products, pharmaceuticals, 
textiles, automobiles, machinery, agricultural products, spices and metals. Indian companies are 
also looki ng at investing in Cambodia in areas like tourism, services, education and manufacturing.  
4.148.   Under the Development Partnership Cooperation, India is assisting Cambodia for 
implementing several development projects in the areas including drinking water supply,  power, 
education, agriculture, health and capacity building. The assistance projects include restoration of 
Angkor Wat Temple, restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, setting up of an Asian Traditional Textile 
Museum and Centre in Siem Reap, and lines of credit ( i) US$65.20 million to Cambodia for water 
development and transmission line projects; and (ii) two LOCs are also currently under 
consideration amounting to US$37 million and US$20 million for two development projects. India 
has also provided grant assistan ce to Cambodia for Quick Impact Projects under the Mekong 
Ganga Cooperation Initiative in areas like health, women empowerment and agriculture, drinking 
water projects in rural areas and Siem Reap basin, besides, other humanitarian assistance from 
time to time. 
4.149.   India is actively engaged with ASEAN in implementing many developmental assistance 
projects including in Cambodia. For capacity building and human resources development, India is 
regularly offering scholarships to a large number of Cambodian professi onals under India 's 
Economic and Technical Cooperation Programme.  
4.150.   India has always been a supporter of special dispensation for LDCs and provides 98.2% 
tariff lines as duty free or preferential access to LDCs with applicable tariff on all cotton lines at 
zero. We have also provided one of the most liberal packages for services waiver, including 
complete waiver of visa fees.  
4.151.   To conclude, we look forward to working with the authorities of Cambodia for further 
expanding and harnessing the potential of our tra de and investment ties for mutual benefit. We 
also wish to place on record our appreciation for the good work and the cooperation extended by 
Cambodia 's Mission to the WTO as the Coordinator for LDCs Group. We wish the delegation of 
Cambodia a productive a nd successful TPR.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  VIET  NAM 
4.152.   We would like to associate ourselves with the ASEAN joint statement delivered by 
Ambassador Tan of Singapore.  
4.153.   Since Cambodia 's first trade policy r eview, the Cambodian economy has been performing 
remarkably, with the GDP growth  rate at over 7%. Construction, manufacturing (mainly garments 
export s) and tourism -related services  have been the drivers of growth. It is well noted that since 
accession, international trade has been crucial to Cambodia 's efforts to achieve rapid and 
sustained socio -economic development as it has been a key element of the country 's efforts to 
reduce poverty and inequality, and to boost economic growth.  
4.154.   We have noted with appreciation that since its first TPR, Cambodia has undertaken 
numerous trade -related , investment policy, institutional and regulatory reforms and enhanced 
measures to promote trade good governance In addition, Cambodia is working to improve its 
commercial law regime for the purpose of creating a more transparent and predictable business 
environment that will help attract investment. We appreciate Cambodia 's continued commitment 
to the multilateral trading system, in particular, by timely ratifying the TFA during the re view 
period. We also appreciate  Cambodia 's active engagement in the WTO works, including its active 
role as the coordinator for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Group this year.  
4.155.   Viet Nam and Cambodia have a strong and longstanding trade relation. Over the past few 
years, Viet Nam has been one of the largest trading partne rs of Cambodia. In 2016, the trade 
value between Viet Nam and Cambodia amounted to about US$2.92 billion. In the first nine 
months of 2017, the two -way trade amounted to US$2.8 billion, up 30.1% compared to the same 
period of last year. In the preceding mo nths of 2017, Viet Nam 's export to Cambodia reached 
about US$2 billion, up to 23.4 % from 2016. Import from Cambodia increased nearly 50 % year-on-
year to US$828 million, bringing Viet Nam to become the third largest trading partner of 
Cambodia.  
4.156.   In terms of investment, Viet Nam is currently the fifth biggest investor in Cambodia with 
183 projects, amounting to US$2.85 billion.  
4.157.   Sharing more than 1.100 km of border, Cambodia is not only our geographically and 
traditionally close neighbor, but also an important  trading partner. In this regard, we welcome the 
country 's numerous achievements in its socio -economic development. Last but not least , I would 
like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Ambassador Pich Rithi and his able 
team in Geneva f or the constructive contribution to, and proactive engagement in the W TO work. 
We wish the Cambodian delegation a successful trade policy r eview.  
NEPAL  
4.158.   Cambodia has been able to maintain over 7% growth in GDP, meeting the target of the 
Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs and progress achieved in human development index 
indicates its s teady move towards graduation. The growth of per capita income is appreciable 
which increased from US$911 in the first TPR year 2011 to US$1,300 at present. The economy 
based on construction and manufacturing sector, garments being the main export is 
complemented by tourism -related services to some extent. Typical to problems commonly faced in 
LDCs, Cambodia needs to continue working in diversification of export of products a nd services. 
The increasing trend of inward investment flow would be helpful in this regard if the momentum is 
continued. The macroeconomic fundamentals including moderate inflation, a stable exchange rate, 
relatively low unemployment, and manageable exter nal debt are noteworthy.  
4.159.   It is encouraging to see the progress registered by the Government of Cambodia in the 
areas of foreign direct investment, infrastructure development, customs reforms and trade 
facilitation as well as transparent and predictable le gal reforms complying with WTO obligations.  
4.160.   We appreciate the efforts of Cambodian Government to establish the Permanent Mission to 
the WTO led by Excellency Mr. Pitch Richi. This initiative could be supportive for Cambodia to 
engage further in the multil ateral trading system. I wish Cambodia a success in its role as LDC 
Group Coordinator at the WTO.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.161.   The bilateral relations between Nepal and Cambodia have always remained cordial and 
friendly. It is the matter of satisfaction to mention that Nepal and Cambo dia are the first LDCs 
having joined to the WTO in 2004 under the Article 12 of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing 
the WTO. The macroeconomic policies, including trade and industrial ones, prove that both 
countries are fully committed towards rule based multilateral trading system. We appreciate 
Cambodia 's role as an active member in strengthening trade and economic integration in the 
ASEAN regional Group.  
4.162.   Nepal and Cambodia could work together in promoting cultural and religious tourism along 
the Hindu -Buddhist historic trails. Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha in Nepal, for instance, 
could be linked for joint promotion of tourism for mutual benefits.  
4.163.   Cambodia being a least developed country needs further assistance to overcome structural 
and insti tutional weaknesses in the economy and build productive capacity to boost trade, which is 
an enable of sustainable development. Together with Cambodia and other members in the LDC 
group, we work together to achieve our common goal.  
4.164.   Finally, I wish Cambodia  a very successful and productive trade policy review.  
LAO PDR 
4.165.   We would like to congratulate Cambodia for their tremendous efforts over this year to take 
up as the Chairmanship of LDCs Group under WTO.  
4.166.   Regarding trade between the Kingdom of Cambodia and La o PDR, total merchandise trade 
between the two countries amou nted to nearly US$ 17.8 million  in 2016 with a positive trade 
balance for Lao PDR. Despite this, the annual growth in value of Lao exports to Cambodia between 
2013 and 2015 reached 192%, but decli ned by 27% in 2016 compare d to 2015. Exports of Lao 
products to Cambodia, w hich were valued in 2016 at US$ 16,8 mill ions, consisted essentially of 
vehicles, and parts and accessories thereof, electricity, b everages, spirits, its raw commo dities 
(lead, coppe r) and some c offee. Lea ding imports from Cambodia are live animals and m achinery . 
Total imports of Cambodian products represented 0.9 million in 2016. In sum, trade in goods 
between Lao PDR and the Kingdom of Cambodia increased by 574% in 3 years (from 201 3 to 
2015) at an annual average growth of 181%, but decline d by 27% in 2016 compare d to 2015.  
4.167.   We hope that our fruitful trade and economic relationship with the Kingdom of Cambodia 
will grow further and stronger. Lao PDR wishes every success to the Kingdom  of Cambodia in its 
second trade policy r eview.  
BRUNEI  DARUSSALAM  
4.168.   We would like to associate ourselves  with the ASEAN statement delivered by Singapore.  
4.169.   Brunei Darussalam enjoys strong  political, social and economic cooperation with Cambodia, 
not only under  the ambit of ASEAN but also at the bilateral level. For th e past two years, our 
bilateral cooperation has strengthened in every aspect, especially in the field of agriculture, 
education, youth, culture, and labour.  
4.170.   On 25 May 2017, we took anothe r step forward as we signed the Double Taxation 
Agreement. This agreement is a significant step forward for us to further enhance our economic, 
trade and investment cooperation th rough the private sector 's participation. Brunei Darussal am is 
confident that  this would provide us leverage to expand our areas of cooperation in the long run.  
4.171.   Overall, our economic cooperat ion has been rewarding and this can be observed from our 
two-way trade alone. The total trade has increased from an estima ted value of US$ 53 thousand in 
2015 to US$13 million in 2016, whereby most of trade was concentrated in agricu lture sector. 
Noting Cambodia 's outstanding pace of improveme nts in the business environment for greater 
industrialization as well as attracting more foreign direct i nvestment, we certainly f oresee a 
diversification in our trading relationship in the near future.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  4.172.   Before I conclude, Brunei Darussalam 's delegation would like to wish Cambodia ever y 
success in their second t rade policy r eview.  
BENIN  ON BEHALF  OF THE LDC GROUP 
4.173.   The Group appreciates the efforts made by Cambodia in its role as LDC Group Coordinator 
since 20  February  2017. Together with Cambodia, we have been working on priorities, an area of 
interest for Group members in the run -up to the Eleventh WTO Minister ial Conference, to be held 
in Buenos Aires (Argentina) in two weeks' time. The Group is looking to achieve fruitful outcomes 
at the conference for the benefit of all WTO LDCs.  
4.174.   According to the relevant United Nations criteria, the Kingdom of Cambodia falls  into the 
LDC category. It is an open economy which depends on exports as a source of growth and job 
creation. International trade and investment in trade have played a crucial role in increasing the 
country's revenues and enhancing the well -being of its p opulation. Since its accession to the WTO 
in 2004, Cambodia has made remarkable progress that has boosted its economic development and 
strengthened its supply -side capacity, enabling it to participate in trade while reducing domestic 
poverty.  
4.175.   Since its fir st TPR in 2011, the Kingdom of Cambodia has continued to achieve average 
annual growth of 7%, and its inflation rate fell from 5.5% in 2001 to 1.2% in 2015. The poverty 
rate, which was 53% in 2004, dropped to 21% in 2010 and to 13.5% in 2014.  
4.176.   The drivers o f this growth have been the construction, industrial (particularly the textile 
industry), agriculture and tourism services sectors. The construction, building and public works 
sector has been the most dynamic, with a growth rate of around 14% in 2004, 19% in 2015 
and 32% in 2016. Industrial activities remain a priority in terms of their contribution to the 
economy, job creation and goods exports. Their share of value added rose from 15.2% in 2011 
to 16.1% in 2016. Cambodia continues to make progress in the textiles subsector, which saw an 
annual growth rate of around 8% over the period 2012 -2016. Agriculture likewise plays an 
important role in the country's economic growth, helping to ensure equity, maintain food security 
and reduce poverty through developme nt of the rural economy. Trade in services has for its part 
made a significant contribution to Cambodia's value added, its share in the economy having risen 
from 37% in 2011 to 39.2% in 2016.  
4.177.   Cambodia has achieved this progress in the macroeconomic and tra de spheres thanks to 
the bold reforms it has undertaken. The Cambodian Government's report shows that the country is 
pursuing its legislative reform process in line with its WTO commitments. All of the reforms have 
had a major impact on trade promotion and  have enhanced the attractiveness of Cambodia's 
business environment. The Group notes, moreover, the importance of the Generalized System of 
Preferences and of the duty -free quota -free (DFQF) programme, which remain a key factor in 
strengthening Cambodia's  export capacity: some 80% of Cambodia's export growth benefits from 
these facilities. Combined with Cambodia's attractive foreign direct investment regime, these 
incentives account for the major part of the country's economic performance. The Group also 
appreciates the considerable support that has been provided to Cambodia under the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework programme in the form of technical and financial assistance.  
4.178.   In conclusion, Cambodia and the LDCs would like to see the WTO and its Members 
providing the necessary technical assistance to ensure expertise in and implementation of the 
rules of the multilateral trading system, capacity building in the area of SPS and TBT measures, 
and implementation of the provisions of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agr eement. Technical 
assistance for the LDCs is also called for in a number of other areas.  
4.179.   On behalf of the LDC Group, the delegation of Benin thanks the Secretariat for the 
documentation provided and takes this opportunity to congratulate H.E.  Mr Rithi Pich, 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the WTO, and his team in Geneva for their 
constructive interaction within the framework of the WTO LDC Group. The delegation of Benin 
wishes Cambodia every success in its second TPR.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  YEMEN   
4.180.   Yemen a ssociates itself with the statement just delivered by Benin on behalf of the LDC 
Group.  
4.181.   Yemen 's delegation commends Cambodia for its economic success. The economic 
indicators show high level s of performance since the first TPR in 2011 as illustrated by the  
Minister 's opening statement and earlier statements.  
4.182.   However, Cambodia, as a n LDC, needs further facilitation and assistance to continue its 
economic success story. As a n LDC, Yemen is looking up to the Cambodia experience and hopes to 
utilize it in futur e development endeavours .  
4.183.   We wish Cambodia a very successful second TPR.  
MOZAMBIQUE  
4.184.   Mozambique welcomes the d elegation of Cambodia to the 2nd TPR, and would like to thank 
the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Cambodia for the reports presented so far. We thank 
Cambodia for the responses made available which allowed us to see developments and all efforts 
made by the G overnment aiming at development . 
4.185.   We congratulate the Government for all the policies taken and carried out on measures 
aiming at improving the business environment, structural transformation in the country and 
diversification of the goods.  
4.186.   Like my country, though there are substantive differences, Cambodia is a LDC and faces 
many challenges in its attempts aiming at developm ent. We support the statement presented by 
Benin on behalf of the LDC Group and we would only like to join our voice to request developed 
partners and all those in condition to do so, to lend their support, technical and financial assistance 
to Cambodia in  all its attempts to become a graduated LDC. We would also like to address our 
thanks to Cambodia for all the efforts in coordinating our LDC Group and all the support devoted, 
aiming at seeing development in all LDC countries . 
4.187.   We wish Cambodia a successfu l Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  NATIONS  INDUSTRIAL  DEVELOPMENT  ORGANIZATION  (UNIDO ) 
4.188.   With Cambodia we have been cooperating successfully for many years. UNIDO 's technical 
cooperation in Cambodia has focused on agro -industry, trade capacity development, in par ticular 
the development of quality infrastructure and conformity assessment services, renewable energy, 
resource efficiency, SME development, and environmental management. The total UNIDO 
programme value is over US$42 million. Cambodia 's commitment to prom oting inclusive and 
sustainable industrial development is commendable. There are currently 5 ongoing projects with a 
total value of US$12.9 million (including one regional project) and 4 pipeline projects, with a 
proposed total budget of US$7.2 million.  
4.189.   In November of 2016, UNIDO and the Government of Cambodia signed a Country 
Programme Framework. Developed together with the Government, the Country Programme covers 
a five -year period (2016 -2020) and proposes interventions in agro -industry development; 
strengthening export trade potential, and pro -poor and inclusive SME development. The Country 
Programme has taken cognizance of three current strategic documents that outline the 
Government 's strategic plan: (i) the National Strategic Development Plan 2014 -2018; (ii) the 
Cambodia Trade Integration Strategy 2014 -2018; and (iii) the Industrial Development Policy 
2015-2025 to ensure inclusive economic growth and enhance the country 's participation in global 
value chains.  
4.190.   In Cambodia agriculture, fisheries and fores try is one of the largest contributors to GDP 
(25.7%) and fisheries export is considered as a top priority. The Secretariat report makes a 
reference to the highly successful case of fishery comprehensive and inclusive value chain WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  development implemented jo intly by UNIDO, the Cambodian Ministries, and private sector and 
funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).  
4.191.   Launched within the Export Diversification and Expansion Programme, the Marine Fisheries 
Product component aimed at improving export readine ss, increasing capacities to meet the 
regulatory market requirements and enhancing the competitiveness of the sector 's export. The 
project has achieved policy, development, social and financial impact:  
 The notable impact on policy side is the incorporation  of some findings of sectoral analysis in 
the Strategic Planning Framework for 2018 -2024 and draft Value Chain Development 
Strategic Framework for 2018 -2024.  
 The project has successfully advocated for reforms in the regulatory framework governing 
fisheries  post-harvest and trade.  
 Four new Cambodian standards were developed which are harmonized with ASEAN 
requirements.  
 Two processing plants are HACCP certified. HACCP certified fishery products in the domestic 
market will ensure customer protection and safety . The project has also resulted in attacking 
foreign investors. For example, a US investor is currently establishing a HACCP certified and 
modern plant in the country.  
4.192.   We would like to acknowledge the good cooperation and support of Ministry of Commerce 
and Fishery Administration o f the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  
4.193.   Building on present well -founded cooperation and outcomes achieved, advancing the 
partnership to another level is on our agenda. During Director General Li 's official visit to 
Cambodia in April of this year, ways to reinforce the partnership to further advance the country 's 
inclusive and sustainable industrial development through the introduction of a Programme for 
Country Partnership was discussed. This will  assist private sector development, boost economic 
competitiveness and innovation while introducing measures to better protect the environment. It 
will also focus on industrial skills development, trade related capacity -building and trade 
facilitation, log istics services and trade -related infrastructure growth. The PCP is a cooperation 
model for accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the Member States 
aligned with the national development agenda. It mobilizes partners and resources  to achieve 
larger development impact.  
4.194.   To conclude, we w ish Cambodia a very successful trade policy r eview.  
H.E.  MR. PAN SORASAK  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)   
4.195.   On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and my entire delegation, I 
would like to express my sincere thanks to all Members for their statements and active 
participation at this first day of our second TPR. My delegation appreciates the remarkable 
welcoming and congratulations made by Members. We took seriously the encouragements, 
comments, sugg estions and questions raised by Members. Cambodia commits to working closely 
with all Members to improve our business environment, to fulfil international obligations with the 
purpose of raising the standard of living and reducing poverty in our country. I  look forward to 
seeing all of you again on our second day of our TPR to be held on 23 November 2017.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF CAMBODIA  AND ADDITIONAL COMME NTS 
5.1.  I should  like first of all to thank you for your expert guidance of our discussions last Tues day. 
My special thanks also go  to our discussant, Ambassador Frances Mary Lisson, for her helpful 
opening remarks.  
5.2.  Cambodia is well aware that its trade regime requires fu rther improvement in order to 
achieve full compliance with  WTO norms. As the Secretariat report and our Government 's report 
have pointed out, we have in place a number of policies, strategies and work program mes 
designed to bring about the necessary improvements. The discussion on the 21st of November was 
helpful in this regard, because it allowed us to hear directly from W TO Members their assessment, 
concerns and priorities regarding our progress. I wish to thank Members for their contributions, 
and assure them that we will take fully into account all Members ' comments.  
5.3.  I also took special note of the interventions of the LDCs. As you know, Cambodia has had the 
honor of coordinating the LDC group, and has made every effort to help them  articulate thei r views 
to the M embership. The international trade regime requires constant attention to ensure that it 
provides adequate trading opportunities for LDC, and the Group 's activities are designed to put 
forward modifications in the regime that would allow LDC s to make fuller use of trade in fostering 
their own development, a result that all Members seek. One previous modification in favor of LDCs 
has played an important role in Cambodia 's own development efforts: DFQF Market Access has 
allowed Cambodia to turn  trade into an engine of growth. I hope that Members will recall the 
success that they have had with this modification when considering proposals for further 
modification recently submitted by the LDC Group. As coordinator, we also seek to facilitate the 
engagement of LDCs in all aspects of the WTO 's activities, thereby deepening their integration into 
the Multilateral Trading System, and will continue to do so as a member of the Troika when the 
coordinator -ship passes to another Member of the LDC Group.  
5.4.  I should also like to note with appreciation Members ' comments on the establishment of 
Cambodia 's Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva. In this regard, we wish to express our deep 
appreciation for all the support extended to the Permanent Mission, led by A mbassador Pich Rithi. 
Ambassador Pich and his effective team will continue to actively participate in the work of WTO, 
including the negotiation process and coordination with LDCs on their priorities in order to produce 
a fruitful outcome at the upcoming M C11. Cambodia looks forward to your continued support in 
the future.  
5.5.  I should like to turn now to some specific points raised by Members during Tuesday 's 
discussion.  
5.6.  Cambodia recognizes the need to diversify its export basket, and , in particular , to foster  the 
export of higher value -added products. To achieve this objective, the Cambodia Industrial 
Development Policy 2015 -2025 identifies the following priority sectors:  
 New industries: electronic assembly, natural resource processing, high value -added garmen t 
products, industrial equipment assembly.  
 Supporting industries: SMEs supporting industry, light manufacturing, construction 
materials, food and beverage, packaging equipment for exports, transport and logistics.  
 Agro-industry.  
5.7.  As regards the diversifica tion of export markets, Cambodia is actively seeking to promote 
non-traditional export products to new markets in the region by establishing export promotion 
points in the countries concerned. The success of these efforts will , of course, depend not only o n 
our promotion efforts but also on our ability to increase our competitiveness.  
5.8.  Cambodia 's competitiveness in turn, is significantly affected by the costs of transportation, 
logistics and electricity.  
5.9.  Cambodia has in place detailed strategies for improve ment in transportation, logistics and 
electricity. These include significant improvement and expansion of our existing rivers and deep WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  water ports as well as a major upgrading in the highways serving these ports and connecting by 
land to neighboring countr ies and their ports. We are also upgrading both our rail lines and 
extending the line to the west so that it connects to Thai rail system, thereby contributing to the 
ASEAN connectivity. To ensure coherence of these efforts, the Ministry of Public Works an d 
Transportation is preparing a master plan covering all aspects of transportation and logistics.  
5.10.   As regards the cost of electricity, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Electricity 
Authority of Cambodia have issued an electricity tariff reduction pla n 2015 -2020, aiming at cutting 
tariffs by as much as 30% for households and industries. We have now put in place power 
generating capacity to meet our domestic needs, and have detailed plans to expand rapidly our 
generating capacity in the years ahead, in particular through the careful exploitation of 
hydropower. We are also starting to further diversify our energy mix with clean and renewable 
sources such as biofuel and solar, which will play a more important role going forward.  
5.11.   Last Tuesday, many honorab le speakers referred to the need to improve the business 
environment and good governance. I should like to make a few brief points in this respect. As 
regards investment procedures, these have gradually been simplified. Today, the registration and 
establis hment process is easy for both domestic and foreign investors seeking investment 
guarantees and incentives as qualified investment projects (QIPs). It is based on automatic 
approval and a one -stop service that encompasses providing information, processing applications 
for approval, granting exemption of customs duty and tax, providing visas and work permits, and 
securing company registration.  
5.12.   Cambodia has also been undertaking judicial reforms, which greatly assist our efforts to 
suppress corruption. These  reforms have resulted in open courtrooms, published decisions and 
transparent recruitment and appointment procedures for court officials. We are strengthening our 
investigation and inspection procedures and are preparing a draft law on the protection of 
witnesses and whistle blowers in corruption cases. We have also initiated a process through which 
private companies enter into MoUs with the Anti -Corruption Unit (ACU), committing themselves to 
refuse invitations to engage in corruption and to report such i nvitations to the ACU. So far, 
83 MoUs have been signed. The ACU has put in place a detailed work program me designed to 
promote public intolerance of corruption and create impediments to corruption.  
5.13.   Members also expressed interest in knowing Cambodia 's activities in the area of public 
procurement policy. Cambodia is now implementing its Public Financial Management Reform 
Program me, including public procurement. In this context, we are reforming the legal framework 
for public procurement and are engaged in capacity building for procurement officials. Cambodia is 
considering being an observer to the WTO 's Government Procurement Agreement.  
5.14.   Cambodia has entered in a number of double t axation agreements with Member c ountries 
and continues to engage with other c ountries. Negotiations of additional agreements are currently 
underway. Cambodia is open to consider ways to accelerate their completion.  
5.15.   Our discussant has underscored the importance of ensuring that Cambodia 's external public 
debt remains at manageable level. We agree completely. Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) 
showed that all the five key indicators, that is, the ratio of debt to GDP, to exports, and to 
Government revenue and the ratio of debt service to exports and revenue are all well below the 
indicative thresholds. Cambodia 's management of its external public debt is based on international 
best practice and Cambodia 's public debt remains and will remain "sustainable " and at "low risk " of 
debt distress.  
5.16.   As regards the relationship between Cambodia 's applied rates and bound rates, the 
transposition from the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) 2007 to AHTN 2012 and 
from AHTN 2012 to AHTN 2017 had the unintended result of allowing applied rates on 45 tariff 
lines to exceed bound rates. These tr anspositions also resulted in a slight increase in Cambodia 's 
unweighted average applied tariff rates. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is presently 
undertaking the necessary corrections for the breach of bound rates, which are expected to be 
completed in 2018.  
5.17.   As noted by many speakers, Cambodia has made rapid progress in the area of Trade 
Facilitation. We will continue these efforts in the context of our implementation of the Trade WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  Facilitation Agreement. We are currently canvassing relevant ministrie s to obtain complete detailed 
information on our technical assistance needs, and will convey this information to the WTO as soon 
as possible. Cambodia encourages Members and development partners to come forward with the 
necessary assistance.  
5.18.   Members made a number of comments on Cambodia 's WTO notifications. Cambodia 's 
notifications in the area of Agriculture and Import Licensing are now out of date and Cambodia will 
update these notifications during 2018. Cambodia 's notification of standards is incomplete.  At the 
moment, we have adopted 804 standards as Cambodian standards of which 151 are technical 
regulations. Twenty -nine of the technical regulations are national standards which are not aligned  
with international standards. Three  of them have already been  notified and the remaining 26 will 
be notified in due course.  
5.19.   In recent years, Cambodia has made headway with its SPS regime development with 
respect to strengthening physical infrastructures and formulating pertinent regulations. These 
include investment s in upgrading laboratory testing facilities in relevant competent authorities and 
academic institutions; establishment of five regional plant quarantine offices across the country to 
bring SPS inspection and certification services closer to end -users; and  finalization of the draft law 
on plant protection and quarantine. The latter, currently under review by the Office of the Council 
of Ministers, will further fast -track the country 's SPS regime enhancement, by taking into account 
relevant international sta ndards and procedures.  
5.20.   A Food Safety Law is being drafted, and will provide a framework in which food safety and 
the wholesomeness of food in the Kingdom of Cambodia can be enhanced by preventing, 
controlling and eliminating hazards throughout the food cha in. The Law will also ensure fair trade 
practices related to food.  
5.21.   Cambodia has signed a number of investment promotion and protection agreements with 
WTO Members. It also provides unilaterally protection to investments registered with the Council 
for the  Development of Cambodia (CDC). One M ember has drawn attention to the fact that one of 
its investors has encountered difficulties with its investment in an Economic Land Conces sion. We 
take good note of the M ember 's concern and will bring it to the attenti on to the Government of the 
Kingdom of Cambodia.  
5.22.   There was a concern that Law on Trade Unions had not been well understood. Since the 
promulgation of the Law, several training and dissemination workshops have been conducted to 
ensure that trade unions and  administrative officials have a clear understanding of the new system 
of registration. Workshops to review the registration procedures will be conducted in the 
immediate future.  
5.23.   Cambodia appreciates the technical assistance provided by WIPO, WTO and its Members in 
the area of IP. WIPO has assisted in translations and publication of relevant legal documents, and 
in organizing capacity building workshops on IP treaties. Cambodia is willing to accede to the 
international treaties but will use the transitional period given to LDCs by the TRIPS Council to 
build institutional capacity and human resources as well as prepare technical regulations.  
5.24.   When Cambodia accedes to international tr eaties, the act of promulgation includes a clause 
stipulating that the contents of the treaties become national law. In the case of IP treaties, it also 
stipulates that in case there is a difference between existing Cambodian laws and the treaty, the 
provisions of the treaty shall prevail.  
5.25.   Cambodia continues to improve IP enforcement. The Ministry of Commerce provides an 
avenue for the administrative resolution of disputes related to Marks. In order to clarify this 
process, the Ministry of Commerce intends  to prepare regulations that will further clarify the 
procedures. We recognize the important role that ex officio measures play in IP enforcement at the 
border. We plan to take those steps necessary to allow our competent authorities to fully 
implement suc h measures.  
5.26.   The draft Law on Trade Remedies was adopted by the National Assembly on 
12 October  2017 and approved by the Senate on 27 October 2017 and it is expected to be 
promulgated by December 2017. Cambodia will notify it to the WTO promptly.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  5.27.   I hope t hat my remarks will help Members to have a better understanding of our trade 
regime and look forward to hearing further comments d uring the rest of this morning  session.  
5.28.   Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.29.   Thank you Chairman and thank you again to Minist er Sorasak and the Cambodian 
delegation for having me as discussant  at this Review .  
5.30.   This has been a very constructive Review. The breadth of Members ' statements and 
questions throughout this Review reveals the Membership 's strong interest in Cambodia 's 
engagement in the WTO.  
5.31.   Equally, Cambodia 's positive engagement in this Review - including its responses to 
questions submitted by Members - demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the multilateral trading 
system and highlight the positive strides Cambodia has  taken to improve its trade and investment 
environment since its first Review in 2011.  
5.32.   I'd like to share a few reflections on the interventions from Members  and on Cambodia 's 
response.  
Questions and statements from Members  
5.33.   Several themes were recurrent in  the statements and questions from Members.  
5.34.   First, a number of Members commended Cambodia for its role as LDC coordinator this year 
and as a voice for LDCs in the lead up to MC11, and for having ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. There is evid ently strong interest among Members in seeing Cambodia 's effective 
implementation of this Agreement, in particular to build on the useful role  Cambodia is already 
undertaking to simplify and streamline  its customs procedures.  
5.35.   Second, s everal Members sough t clarification on Cambodia 's plans to rectify applied MFN 
tariff rates, which exceed WTO bound rates on many lines. I was pleased to hear that Cambodia is 
working to correct  this breach and hope to have that implemented in 2018 . Members also inquired 
about the number of notifications Cambodia had provided to t he WTO and noted Cambodia 's 
non-notification on state trading enterprises. Again, I understand that work is going ahead in 2018 
in this area.  
5.36.   Members  also encouraged Cambodia to  continue to moderniz e and strengthen its SPS 
regime. To this end, it was pleasing to hear Cambodia was progressing laws on animal health, 
pesticides and fertilisers.  
5.37.   Plans to strengthen Cambodia 's investment regime were also a focus in this review. We 
heard from Cambodia that  FDI in flows had increased during the r eview period, and a number of 
Members highlighted examples of their own companies that had successfully established 
operations in Cambodia. Members inquired about Cambodia 's plans for enhancing foreign 
investors ' access to information, and encouraged Cambodia to continue its work on legislative and 
judicial reform, improved governance and transparency.  
5.38.   On intellectual property (IP) rights enforcement, numerous Members commended 
Cambodia 's recent actions to join severa l IP-related conventions, but noted there was still room for 
improvement to address IP infringements.  
Cambodia 's response  
5.39.   I was encouraged by Minister Sorasak 's recognition both of the role Cambodia 's open trade 
regime has played in its impressive economic growth to date, and the need for Cambodia to 
continue its  reform s and adjust to the rapidl y changing global environment.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  5.40.   As Cambodia approaches graduation from the LDC group it will need to continue  to look for 
ways to deepen its inte gration into the global economy  through its participation in the multilateral 
trading system, regional initiatives and institutional reform.  
5.41.   The effective implementation of Cambodia 's reform  strategies will be critical.  Indeed , the 
priority areas identified by Cambodia have aligned strongly with the issues raised by Members 
during this Review. These include:  
 improving the legal environment;  
 lowering the cost and difficulty of regulatory compliance;  
 increasing the quality  of Cambodia 's workforce; and  
 addressing issues relating to electricity, transport and logistics costs.  
5.42.   I was pleased to hear from Minister Sorasak that Cambodia  will fully take on board the 
comments from Members and I encourage Cambodia  to continue an active dialogue with its 
trading partners  and to continue to take advantage of facilities such as the WTO Enhanced 
Integrated Framework to implement its obligations under WTO Agreements .   
Conclusion  
5.43.   In conclusion, I would like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to act as a 
discussant to Cambodia 's second Trade Policy Review.  
5.44.   The Trade Policy Review process provides a very important mechanism to strengthening 
each Member 's commitment to the multilateral trading system and I am pl eased to have 
participated in this review.   
JAPAN  
5.45.   Needless to say, Kingdom of Cambodia and Japan have developed long and deep friendly 
relationship for years. Japan has been one of the largest donor countries for Cambodia, and, in 
recent years, we have been strengthening economic ties. For example, according to statistics of 
the Cambodia Investment Committee, Japan ranked first, with regard to foreign direct investment 
outside the SEZ in 2016.  
5.46.   Cambodia and Japan should share our experiences each other an d further develop 
cooperation that we have maintained so far.  
5.47.   While many emerging economies have been sluggish, Cambodian economy has been strong. 
It has maintained a high economic growth rate of over 7% since the last review. Drivers of this 
economic grow th are mainly manufacturing industries, particularl y garments exports, and 
tourism -related services which has grown recently.  
5.48.   Although its economy seems to be strong, as the Minister mentioned at the day 1, the set of 
circumstances supporting high growth is now changing. Labor costs have soared, and graduation 
from the LDC status in the 2020s is on the horizon.  
5.49.   We know that the Cambodian G overnment is now making great efforts to address those 
challenges, which is commendable.  
5.50.   For example, Cambodia conclu ded a tax treaty with Singapore and China last year. Also, 
Cambodia enacted the labor union law. Japan positively evaluates both of them as Cambodian 
efforts to improve investment environment.  
5.51.   However, Japan has received several concerns from our investors , such as the cost of 
electricity and inadequate transportation infrastructure. In this regard, Japan is aware that the 
Cambodian government formulated the Industrial Development Policy of 2015 to address those WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  challenges. Japan expects the Cambodian gover nment to implement this national policy, which 
results in improving its investment environment.  
5.52.   In conclusion, I would like to express our strong wish to continue cooperation between 
Cambodia and Japan.  
5.53.   We wish Cambodia a successful and productive TPR.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.54.   Let me first thank the delegation of Cambodia for the comprehensive overview presented on 
Tuesday and this morning of the main developments occurred during the review period.  
5.55.   The EU is pleased to note that this review has been very useful for better understanding the 
trade policy of Cambodia and hopes that Cambodia will duly take into account some of the 
challenges highlighted by Members.  
5.56.   The EU would like to recall that  as one of Cambodia 's main trading  partners and as we do 
with all Everythin g But Arms beneficiary countries, we are closely monitoring whether Cambodia 
complies with the EBA conditions of the EU law on GSP, in particular the condition s related to the 
fundamental principles on human rights and labour rights.  
5.57.   Furthermore, we note f rom the replies provided by Cambodia that the state -owned Green 
Trade Company (GTC) is operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and  is in 
charge of the management of national rice stock for natural disasters and emergency release. At 
the sa me time , we note in the WTO Secretariat r eport that  GTC has exported more than 
2.2 million tonnes of rice between 2011 and 2016. It would be interesting  for the EU  if Cambodia 
could provide us more detailed d ata on GTC 's trading activities.  
5.58.   Finally, the EU would like to express its appreciation for  the timely replies provided to the 
EU questions. We have  submitted one follow -up question regarding planned measures to be 
adopted in the area of p rimary and secondary education.  
5.59.   In conclusion, we would like to thank the delegation of Cambodia for its very constructive 
participation in this exercise.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.60.   The delegation of the United States would like to express its appreciation to Minister Pan 
Sorasak for his excellent stewardship of Cambo dia's second Trade Policy Review, to Ambassador 
Lisson for her insightful remarks which helped guide us through the review, and to the Secretariat 
staff for their hard work in preparing the policy review documents that made our discussions 
possible.  
5.61.   The U nited States also acknowledges the hard work and excellent efforts and contributions 
of Cambodia 's Geneva Mission, the delegation here today, and those colleagues in Phnom Penh 
who worked on the reports and provided respon ses to Member 's questions.  I perso nally have had 
the honor and privilege to work with many of them, and have seen how they have focused their 
efforts on implementing WTO obligations , and more importan tly how they have integrated tho se 
efforts into their n ational development goals.  Cambodia 's sustained economic growth over the 
review period can be credited to th eir hard work and dedication.  
5.62.   The United States submitted a number of written questions to Cambodia, and we appreciate 
the written responses we have received. We have no additional f ollow-up questions at this time. 
However, t hese responses will be helpful as we continue our engagement and support both 
bilaterally and here at the WTO.  
5.63.   We also would like to take the  opportunity to acknowledge our appreciation for the 
thoroughness and c ompleteness of the response s provided to all the Members. We believe this is a 
direct result of the interagency coordination mechanisms we know Cambodia has worked hard to WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  build.  This is yet another area where we see Cambodia providing a positive inspirati on to other 
Members.  
5.64.   We thank Min ister Sorasak for his remarks today and his efforts to acknowledge  the 
comments offered by Members during this review. We welcome the updates that have been 
provided regarding Cambodia 's efforts to diversify its export pro file, address the high cost of 
electricity, simplify investment procedures and continue efforts to combat corruption.  
5.65.   We also welcome the indication today that Cambodia is considering seeking observer status 
to the Gov ernment Procurement Agreement. We sta nd ready to assist  however we can in these  
effort s. 
5.66.   The review today has certainly highlighted an ambitious reform programme and look 
forward to a continued cooperation to support your efforts. We also want to note, as we did in the 
Committee on Trade Facilitation, that we acknowledge and welcome Cambodia 's notification of its 
TFA commitments, and view your efforts as another positive example of an LDC using the tools 
and flexibilities provided in this new agreement exactly as they were intended, aimed at achieving 
your development goals. So, here again, we see Cambodia having established a best practice that 
is an inspiration for other Members .  
5.67.   In conclusion, we appreciate the opportunity to participate in Cambodia 's review . We want 
to reiterate our firm commitment to support ing your efforts both in the implementation of WTO 
obligations as well as national development goals. And we want to congratulate  Minister Sorasak 
and the entire delegation on a successful Trade Policy Review.  
H.E.  MR. PAN SORASAK  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)   
5.68.   On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I would like to express my 
sincere thanks and deep appreciation to all Members for their active participation at our second 
day of the TPR.  
5.69.   I would also like to thank the Secreta riat, especially the Trade Policy Review Division, for the 
documents and arrangements made for the review. My thanks a lso go to my capital and 
Geneva -based delegations for their efforts and preparation contributing to this successful review. 
My delegation welcomes comments made by Members from last Tuesday and today. We have 
taken all concerns and questions raised by Members. We will provide written answers within the 
period of one month.  
5.70.   Cambodia, once again, commits to working closely with all Members to improve our 
business environment and fulfil international obligations with the  purpose of attracting more 
investors, raising standards of living and reducing poverty.  
5.71.   Finally, I would like to take this last opportunity to wish you all a happy prosperous ye ar and 
to my delegation a pleasant and safe return.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The second Trade Policy Review of Cambodia has offered us a good opportunity to deepen 
our understanding of recent developments, the achievements and challenges related to 
Cambodia 's trade, eco nomic, and investment policies.  Cambodia plays an important and a valued 
role in the WTO as a Member of the LDC group that has strived for the group 's better integration 
into the multilateral trading system. The more than 14 7 advance written questions submitted by 
14 Members and the 24 delegations that took the floor underline the importance attached to 
Cambodia 's trade and investment policies and practices.  
6.2.  I would like to thank the Cambodian delegation, led by the  Minister  of Commerce, H.E. 
Mr. Pan Sorasak, for its constructive engagement throughout this Review. Also, I would like to 
thank our discussant , Ambassador Frances Lisson of Australia,  for her insightful remarks, and all 
the delegations that took the floor for thei r valuable contributions.  
6.3.  Since the time of its first Trade Policy Review in 2011, Cambodia 's prudent macroeconomic 
management allowed for remarkably strong and inclusive growth. Cambodia 's real GDP had grown 
at an average annual rate of 7.2% over the pas t six years. Consequently, income inequality has 
declined considerably and poverty levels fell from 50% in 2005 to 14% in 2015. Members 
acknowledged that Cambodia 's investor friendly regime had played a key role in promoting 
growth. At the same time, they encouraged Cambodia to enhance business confidence and create 
an environment conducive to further investment by addressing challenges in several areas, such 
as the legal framework, the rule of law, institutional capacity, good governance, transparency, 
infrastructure bottlenecks and energy costs. Members also urged Cambodia to continue efforts to 
diversify its economy and integrate the informal sector. Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, 
banking, telecommunications, and tourism were seen by some as potentia l growth areas and they 
encouraged Cambodia to undertake further reform to realize its economic potential. Members also 
welcomed the implementation of the revenue mobilization strategy and the subsequent reduction 
in the fiscal deficit.  
6.4.  Members noted that  Cambodia remains committed to the rules -based multilateral trading 
system while expanding its RTAs commitments with its ASEAN partners, including through the 
negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, thus increasing merchandise 
trade  and removing barriers to trade in services at the regional level. Members commended 
Cambodia for furthering its WTO commitments by promptly ratifying the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and submitting all related notifications. Many Members commended its act ive 
participation in WTO work as a strong voice for the least developed countries, in its capacity as 
LDC coordinator in 2017, contributing towards a meaningful outcome at MC11, and for its newly 
established separate Mission to the WTO. Some Members encour aged Cambodia to improve its 
notifications record in certain areas, such as import prohibitions, import licensing, state trading, 
and technical barriers to trade, and to consider becoming an observer to the GPA. Cambodia 
benefits from technical assistance under the Enhanced Integrated Framework, the Trade Sector 
Wide Approach Roadmap, and other trade development supp ort programmes such as the 
Duty-Free-Quota -Free preferences for LDCs, all of which were widely acknowledged.  
6.5.  Members welcomed Cambodia 's trade  facilitation efforts including the Best Trader Programme 
- a stepping stone towards the Authorized Economic Operator Programme, and the increased use 
of ASYCUDA; however, at the same time, they called for further improvements in this area such as 
further reduction in clearance times. Members appreciated the predictability of Cambodia 's tariff 
regime although some concerns were raised regarding the MFN applied tariff for certain lines, 
exceeding the bound rate, and the level of tariffs in agriculture. Membe rs welcomed the progress 
made on the passing of the Law on public procurement and the forthcoming entry into force of 
legislation on contingency measures. While acknowledging efforts to improve its SPS regime, 
Members urged Cambodia to continue improving t he implementation of the WTO SPS Agreement, 
particularly with respect to testing, inspection and certification systems. In the area of intellectual 
property, Members welcomed the enactment of the Law on Geographical Indications and they also 
appreciated Ca mbodia acceding to the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration 
of Marks, the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Hague Agreement concerning the International 
Registration of Industrial Designs. However, they also encouraged Cambodia to bec ome a 
signatory to international treaties such as the Berne Convention, the International Convention for 
Protection of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations, and other WIPO treaties. Several 
Members noted that further efforts were required regarding IP R infringement and enforcement.  WT/TPR/M/364 • Cambodia  
 
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  6.6.  Many Members praised Cambodia for the benefits resulting from wide -ranging strategies such 
as the Industrial Development Policy 2015 -2025 and the Tourism Development Strategic Plan 
2012-2020. On the other hand, while commen ding developments in agriculture, some Members 
encouraged improvements in the fight against illegal fisheries and logging activities.  
6.7.  The above are some of the key issues that had emerged in our discussion. I am certain that 
the Cambodian delegation will take into account, and further reflect on, the many constructive 
comments, both broad and detailed, that it has received during this Review. Finally, I would like to 
thank all those that participated in our discussion, and I look forward to receiving the a nswers to 
any outstanding questions within the next month, at which point the Review w ill be successfully 
concluded.  
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