AKP Phnom Penh, August 06, 2025 --

Cambodia held here on Aug. 5 a validation workshop on the ADB and UNCTAD research study "Designing a New Trade Policy for Cambodia During and After LDC Graduation: A Path of Challenges and Opportunities." 

The event’s opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce and attended by Mr. Milan Thomas, Senior Economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Cambodia; Mr. Paul Akiwumi, Director for Africa and LDCs at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); as well as representatives from relevant ministries and government agencies, representatives of donors, development partners, and the private sector.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Minister mentioned that this research study will contribute to the preparation of the Cambodia Trade Policy Framework towards 2030 and support the development of Cambodia’s trade agenda for a smooth graduation from LDC status. In this context, she stated that the Ministry of Commerce has been formulating trade policies to respond to the gradual loss of trade preferences, legal flexibilities, and financing programmes, which are important contributors to the Cambodia's trade and economic development.

H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul also emphasised that preparing for graduation from least developed country status requires legal and institutional reforms, strengthening of productive capacity, facilitation of export diversification, and continued deepening of trade and economic integration into regional and global markets.

By C. Nika