South-east Asian
neighbours Singapore and Cambodia intend to continue advancing shared interests
in renewable energy trade, high-quality carbon markets, agri-trade and
bolstering Asean centrality.
Singapore Prime
Minister Lawrence Wong made this point on Wednesday (Jul 2), in a toast at the
Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, at an official lunch hosted by his Cambodian
counterpart, Hun Manet.
The Singapore
leader was on a one-day trip to the kingdom.
His visit came
amid escalating tensions between neighbours Cambodia and Thailand, but was
consistent with a customary series of introductory visits he has made across
South-east Asian capitals – a tradition followed by previous prime
ministers.
Cambodia is his
eighth stop.
The tour took
him to Brunei and Malaysia in June 2024, Laos in October, Indonesia and
Thailand the following month, Vietnam in March 2025, and the Philippines three
months after that.
A statement by
Singapore’s foreign ministry noted that PM Wong “expressed concern in relation
to recent developments on the Cambodia-Thailand border” in his meetings with
the kingdom’s leaders.
He “encouraged
both sides to resolve the matter peacefully and amicably, in line with the
spirit of Asean solidarity”.
The Singapore
leader “expressed hope that both sides will de-escalate tensions, engage constructively
and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law and the broader
stability of the region”, said the post-visit statement.
He had made the
same point in his toast at the lunch in the palace, where he said: “In this
uncertain global environment, it is more important than ever for Asean to stay
cohesive, uphold open channels of dialogue, and work together to resolve our
differences peacefully.
“Only then can
we preserve our relevance, and continue advancing the region’s collective interests.”
Both leaders
discussed several priority areas of cooperation, including the import of
low-carbon electricity from Cambodia to Singapore.
An
implementation agreement on carbon credits is also in the works.
PM Wong said:
“This will mobilise financing for clean-energy projects, uplift rural
communities and improve livelihoods, while enabling both our countries to hit
our net-zero goals.”
On agri-trade
cooperation, he noted that Cambodia stands as a key agricultural exporter,
while Singapore imports almost everything its people eat.
The Republic is
also keen to diversify its sources of food imports, so closer collaboration
will be “mutually beneficial”, he said.
Long
friendship
Noting that both
nations commemorate six decades of diplomatic ties this year, PM Wong pointed
out that Cambodia was among the first countries to recognise Singapore’s
sovereignty.
The kingdom was
in turn one of five countries where the Republic first opened its overseas
missions.
The Singapore
leader said: “Our ties (were) built on the strong foundation laid by then prime
minister Lee Kuan Yew and His Majesty, King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. It is a
foundation of mutual respect, trust and friendship that continues to guide our
relationship today.”
Presently,
Singapore stands as one of Cambodia’s largest investors and trading partners,
added PM Wong.
Latest figures
put Singapore as Cambodia’s third-largest foreign investor last year, with
bilateral trade growing 7.1 per cent year on year to S$4.83 billion.
These investments
sweep across the real estate, energy, trading and distribution, agribusiness,
food, consumer, education and finance sectors.
PM Wong
described both countries as “steadfast partners” in human development.
Nearly 19,000
Cambodian officials have visited Singapore for training programmes in public
health, digital governance and public administration.
Today, Cambodia
has an “ambitious” strategy to achieve high-income status by 2050, having made
“remarkable strides” in its transformation from a post-conflict society to a
rapidly developing nation, said PM Wong.
“Singapore will
continue to walk alongside Cambodia in this development journey.”
The day’s
happenings
Following a
ceremonial welcome on Wednesday, the countries’ premiers held a bilateral
meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
Hun Manet, the
eldest son of long-time ruler Hun Sen, made his first visit to Singapore as
Cambodia’s prime minister in June 2024. He took office in August 2023.
PM Wong also
called on Senate President Hun Sen at the Senate House.
Source: The
Business Times (Singapore,
Cambodia solidify joint efforts in energy, climate finance, agri-trade - The
Business Times)
2 Jul 2025
July 24, 2025