The 12th Conference on Cooperation and Development of border localities in Vietnam and Cambodia took place in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam on Tuesday.

The conference was chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng.

Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia have maintained their close partnership and strengthened multifaceted ties despite several challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global uncertainties.

Their cooperation in economics, trade and investment is one of the highlights of the two countries’ relations.

Notably, bilateral trade has grown strongly, totaling over VND246.4 trillion (US$10.6 billion) last year, up nearly 11 percent against 2021.

Vietnam is Cambodia’s largest trade partner in Southeast Asia, having invested in 205 operational projects with total pledged capital of VND68.4 trillion ($2.94 billion).

In addition, the cooperation between border localities in the two nations has been deepened, producing numerous achievements.

Competent forces and authorities in the two countries have joined hands to advance the security of border areas.

Moreover, the two countries signed the Vietnam - Cambodia Agreement on Border Trade to facilitate bilateral ties, as part of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Cambodia in November 2022.

The border gates between Vietnam and Cambodia have gradually been upgraded and refurbished, while the two have streamlined administrative procedures to shorten the customs clearance time.

The two sides will continue to effectively develop the border gate system by investing in infrastructure and enhancing traffic connectivity with their major economic hubs.

Furthermore, the two nations will encourage their enterprises to sound out opportunities to jointly develop Cambodia-Vietnam special economic zones in Cambodian provinces bordering Vietnam.

Expected traffic link between Vietnam and Cambodia

Nguyen Tan Tai, director of the Tay Ninh Province Department of Transport, had earlier told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that Vietnamese agencies and Tay Ninh authorities were weighing the location to connect the Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai expressway with Cambodia’s projected Phnom Penh - Bavet road.

After the connection, the travel time between Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh and Cambodia will be shortened, smoothing bilateral trade activities. 

Few days ago, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia announced that the country would start work on the Phnom Penh - Bavet expressway funded by China in June.

The expressway project will have a total length of 138 kilometers and cost VND37.6 trillion (US$1.6 billion).

The four-lane expressway will run through three Cambodian provinces, including Kandal, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng.

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