The Times Kuwait Report
Cambodia and Kuwait are looking to inject fresh momentum into their longstanding bilateral relationship by expanding cooperation in trade, investment, food security, tourism, education and other areas, according to Cambodian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kuwait, H.E. Chhay Makara.
The ambassador, who formally presented his credentials to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on 8 September 2026, said he was honored to represent Cambodia in Kuwait and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
Conveying greetings from His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the Cambodian Government and people, Ambassador Makara expressed his country’s warm wishes to His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the people of Kuwait.
He also wished Kuwait continued prosperity and said Cambodia hoped the relationship between the two countries would continue to flourish in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect.
32 years of diplomatic relations
The ambassador noted that July 2026 marked the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Kuwait, describing the partnership as one built on mutual trust, respect and shared aspirations.
Bilateral relations have developed through high-level exchanges and a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering politics, trade, investment, tourism and other areas.
Among the significant milestones were the visits in 2008 and 2009 by then Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and then Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
More recently, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet met with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah in May 2025 on the sidelines of the ASEAN-GCC and ASEAN-GCC-China Summits in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting, Ambassador Makara said, reaffirmed the shared commitment to friendship and cooperation. Today, bilateral relations encompass trade, investment, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Political and trade consultations
Looking ahead, Cambodia and Kuwait are exploring the possibility of co-chairing the Second Political Consultations and the Second Meeting of the Joint Trade Committee, with the meetings expected later this year and in early 2027.
According to the ambassador, these engagements could provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties by strengthening political trust, identifying new trade and investment opportunities and establishing a more dynamic framework for economic cooperation.
The meetings would also provide an opportunity for both sides to examine practical areas where existing relations can be translated into greater commercial and institutional cooperation.
Food security and investment opportunities
Food security is emerging as one of the potential areas for closer economic cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Makara pointed to the complementarity between Kuwait’s energy resources and Cambodia’s agricultural strengths, saying these provide a strong foundation for cooperation in food security and trade.
Cambodia’s access to regional and international markets through the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), together with free trade agreements with China, Korea and the United Arab Emirates, offers additional opportunities for investors, he said.
The ambassador also highlighted Cambodia’s new investment law as an important factor in opening further opportunities for Kuwaiti investors. He said Cambodia was ready to work with Kuwait to develop mutually beneficial partnerships and expressed confidence that greater economic engagement could contribute to shared prosperity.
Cambodia welcomes Kuwaiti tourists
Tourism is another area where Cambodia is seeking stronger engagement with Kuwait. Inviting Kuwaitis to visit what he described as the “Kingdom of Wonder,” Ambassador Makara highlighted Cambodia’s historic temples, cultural traditions and natural landscapes.
He also pointed to the growing importance of green tourism and sustainable travel, saying visitors can enjoy memorable experiences while contributing to environmental sustainability.
In an effort to make the destination more accessible to visitors from the Gulf, Cambodia is improving access to halal food, prayer facilities and culturally sensitive services at airports, hotels and major tourist destinations. These measures, he said, are intended to create a more welcoming environment for Kuwaiti visitors.
Cambodia backs Kuwait Vision 2035
Ambassador Makara also expressed Cambodia’s support for Kuwait’s development ambitions under Kuwait Vision 2035, describing it as a forward-looking roadmap focused on innovation, sustainability and prosperity.
He said Cambodia was ready to contribute to the realization of the vision through expanded bilateral cooperation. “By joining forces under this vision, we can achieve our shared goals of peace and progress,” the ambassador said, reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to maintaining strong and enduring relations with Kuwait.
As Cambodia and Kuwait approach a new phase of bilateral engagement, the planned political and trade consultations could provide an opportunity to build on more than three decades of diplomatic relations and translate the longstanding friendship between the two countries into broader economic, tourism and people-to-people partnerships.
