Baku:Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Azerbaijani President H.E. Ilham Aliyev have held discussions aimed at enhancing business opportunities between their countries during an official visit to Azerbaijan.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, President Aliyev emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation, despite the existing friendly political relations and longstanding partnership between Cambodia and Azerbaijan. He noted that their current trade and economic ties are modest and called for a joint effort to convert diplomatic relations into concrete economic benefits.
The leaders focused on trade and investment during their talks, establishing a joint working group to address the practical aspects of cooperation. President Aliyev downplayed the issue of geographical distance, stating that it should not hinder economic engagement in today's world. He proposed a business forum to bring together Cambodian and Azerbaijani companies to explore economic priorities and commercial opportunities.
Potential areas for collaboration include industrial production, joint manufacturing, tourism, education, transportation, and digital transformation. Both leaders stressed the importance of private-sector involvement to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities, aiming to build stronger business connections.
Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the creation of a platform for increased collaboration in trade, education, and other sectors. He expressed optimism that Azerbaijani business representatives would visit Cambodia to explore further investment opportunities.
Improving connectivity was also discussed, with the leaders considering an air service agreement to facilitate travel and business exchanges. Additionally, education was identified as a key area for cooperation, with interest in expanding scholarship opportunities and academic exchanges.