Strengthening Diplomatic Foundations

A cornerstone of the discussion was Samdech Techo’s formal support for establishing a Cambodian Embassy in Islamabad. Highlighting the deep historical ties, the Senate President recalled that Pakistan was among the first nations to recognize Cambodia’s sovereignty in 1952—predating the Kingdom’s independence from France.

“The recognition from Pakistan in 1952 is a significant historical gesture that Cambodia remembers and values,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen noted, emphasizing that a permanent mission in Islamabad will serve as a vital bridge for future cooperation.

To formalize this new era of partnership, the two leaders presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the secretariats of their respective Senates, aimed at institutionalizing legislative exchanges and inter-parliamentary diplomacy.

Closing the Trade Gap: From $53M to New Heights

Despite flourishing political ties, both leaders acknowledged that economic cooperation remains under-leveraged. Bilateral trade in 2025 stood at approximately US$53 million, a figure both sides described as far below its true potential.

With Pakistan’s population exceeding 240 million, the Cambodian government identified several key sectors for rapid growth:

• Tourism & Connectivity: Attracting more Pakistani visitors is seen as a primary driver for people-to-people exchange and direct economic impact.
• Agriculture & Textiles: Building on earlier Joint Trade Committee (JTC) discussions, both sides are exploring joint ventures in rice trade and garment manufacturing.
• Pharmaceuticals & ICT: Leveraging Pakistan’s strengths in medicine and IT to support Cambodia’s digital transformation.

A Beacon for Regional Stability

Chairman Gillani, on his third visit to Cambodia, praised the Kingdom’s “successful and stable” leadership transition under Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. He extended an official invitation to Samdech Techo Hun Sen to visit Pakistan, further cementing the bond between the two nations.

For foreign investors, this alignment signals the opening of a new South Asian gateway. As Cambodia integrates more deeply with partners outside of ASEAN, it offers a diversified market for Pakistani businesses looking to tap into the RCEP and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

FAQ: Cambodia-Pakistan Relations 2026

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodia’s connection to the world just got a big boost! Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s main national airline, launched a brand-new direct route between Istanbul and Phnom Penh on Thursday.

The launch of this flight significantly enhances Cambodia’s presence on the global aviation map.

I. Welcoming the Inaugural Flight

A special welcome ceremony for the first flight was held at the new Techo International Airport. The event was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, including:

• H.E. Mao Havannall, Minister in-Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA)
• H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism
• H.E Mrs. Ülkü Kocaefe, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Cambodia
• Mr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines

II. A Symbol of Growth and Friendship

This new air service will operate three flights per week using a large Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, starting on December 11, 2025.

H.E. Mao Havannall called the new route not only a key achievement for Cambodia’s aviation sector but also a symbol of the growing friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Türkiye.

“Through the strategic hub of Istanbul, one of the world’s most important gateways linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Cambodia is now more conveniently connected to global markets, business centres, and cultural destinations,” he stated.

This direct connection confirms Cambodia’s expanding role as a dynamic and connected nation in the region and internationally.

III. Growing Air Passenger Numbers

The launch comes as Cambodia’s air travel sector is already showing robust growth. A recent SSCA report showed that Cambodia recorded a total of 5.66 million international air passengers in the first ten months of 2025, which is a significant 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

READ MORE:

• Cambodia Launches Three New International Airports Worth $3.6 Billion
• Cambodia’s Aviation Boom: 5.7M Travelers in 10 Months Fuels $3.6B Airport Investment
• Firefly Airlines to Launch Direct Flights from Malaysia to Siem Reap

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ACLEDA Bank, nominated by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) as the operator for Cambodia’s national QR network (Bakong/KHQR), will work with NIPL to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance across Cambodia and KHQR acceptance across India.

Seamless Payments for Tourists and Businesses

The partnership will offer Indian and Cambodian travelers the convenience of making QR code-based payments seamlessly across tourist attractions, restaurants, retail outlets, and other establishments.

Accessing 4.5 Million KHQR Merchants in Cambodia

• Indian tourists in Cambodia will be able to use their UPI-enabled apps to make merchant payments easily at more than 4.5 million KHQR merchant touch points.

Accessing 709 Million UPI QRs in India

• Cambodian tourists in India will be able to scan more than 709 million UPI QRs to make merchant payments conveniently using their Cambodian payment apps.

The collaboration supports businesses in both countries by offering a secure, interoperable, and frictionless payment experience, significantly enhancing convenience for consumers in both markets.

Driving Digital Interoperability and Trade

This collaboration represents an important step toward regional payment interoperability, aligning with ASEAN’s vision of advancing inclusive digital economies. This will empower customers with fast, affordable, and secure cross-border options that boost trade and tourism for both nations.

Under the NBC’s initiative, Cambodia and India initiated the digital cross-border payment framework to enable more convenient and efficient payment and money transfer transactions. A key focus is to promote the use of the national currency between Cambodia and India.

Projected Launch: Semester 2 of 2026

Following the March 2023 MoU between NBC and NIPL, and ACLEDA’s selection as a sponsoring Bank, the two parties are now jointly developing the QR payment systems, which is currently undergoing network integration. The cross-border payment launch is projected for Semester 2 of 2026.

Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO, NPCI International, stated that the partnership reflects their commitment to expanding secure, inclusive, and scalable digital payments on a global scale, making travel simpler and empowering consumers with trusted and familiar payment options.

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This promise came from Mr. Joseph Lin, the President of HQ Footwear (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., when he visited H.E. HUOT Hak, the Minister of Tourism, on November 23rd.

The Ministry of Tourism reported that the meeting was very positive and focused on future plans. The company plans to actively help promote Cambodia’s appeal as a tourist destination and a place to invest. They will highlight key positive points like:

• Peace and political stability
• Good public safety
• Development and growth in all areas
• The government’s system for supporting and protecting investors

They will share this information with their business contacts in China and around the world, especially with the companies that buy their shoes.

Minister HUOT Hak gratefully welcomed this plan and encouraged the company to work closely with the ministry. He asked the company to help share correct information about Cambodia.

He also suggested two specific ways the company could help:

1. Organize regular trips for their employees and leaders to take their holidays in Cambodia.
2. Arrange visits for their international buyers to come to Cambodia. This would allow the buyers to see the country’s actual situation, its progress, its many wonderful sights, and experience the friendly nature of the Cambodian people firsthand.

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