Cambodia’s economic integration into the Asia-Pacific region reached a new milestone in 2025. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce, the Kingdom’s trade volume with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries surged to US$36.39 billion during the first 11 months of the year. This represents a robust 15.67% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
As Cambodia navigates global economic shifts, its reliance on the RCEP bloc—the world’s largest free trade agreement—has become the backbone of its national trade strategy.
The Numbers: Exports and Imports on the Rise
The report highlights a significant upward trajectory in both selling to and buying from regional partners:
- Export Growth: Cambodia exported goods worth US$8.85 billion to RCEP countries, a 5.99% increase from US$8.35 billion in 2024. These exports now account for 31.2% of Cambodia’s total global exports.
- Import Surge: Imports from the bloc reached US$27.54 billion, marking a sharp 19.17% rise. This influx mainly consists of raw materials for the garment industry, construction materials, and electronic equipment, which are essential for Cambodia’s ongoing industrial modernization.
- Dominating Total Trade: Collectively, RCEP partners now represent 61.53% of Cambodia’s total international trade volume, which stood at US$59.13 billion for the period.
Key Trading Partners and Products
Cambodia’s top five trading partners within the RCEP bloc remain China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore.
The diversity of goods being traded reflects Cambodia’s shifting economy:
- Agricultural Success: Massive growth was recorded in the export of milled rice, bananas, mangoes, longans, and raw cashew nuts.
- Industrial Evolution: Beyond the traditional textile and footwear dominance, Cambodia is successfully diversifying into automotive parts, electronic components, and bicycles.
Why RCEP is Cambodia’s “Economic Magnet”
H.E. Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, emphasized that the RCEP agreement is more than just a trade pact—it is a long-term development tool.
“The RCEP agreement plays a vital role in Cambodia’s economic development by ensuring long-term export growth for our products. It serves as a magnet to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) as companies look to leverage Cambodia’s strategic position within this free trade bloc,” Sovicheat stated.
Since entering into force on January 1, 2022, the RCEP has provided Cambodia with preferential tariffs and streamlined customs procedures, making “Made-in-Cambodia” products more competitive in markets like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, the RCEP is expected to shield Cambodia from external shocks, such as fluctuating demand in Western markets or international tariff changes. The government is currently prioritizing the digitalization of trade and human capital development to ensure local businesses can fully utilize the benefits of the agreement.
The goal is clear: to move up the global value chain and transform Cambodia from a labor-intensive manufacturing hub into a high-tech, agro-processing powerhouse.