Following the very first official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in the country, two memorandums of cooperation were sealed by the Philippines’ Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Tourism (DoT) on Tuesday with their Cambodian counterparts to further improve the two countries’ collaboration in the areas of trade and investments, and tourism.

Information relayed by DTI-Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo to media said a memorandum of intent on investment cooperation was signed between Trade Secretary and BoI Board chairperson Cristina Roque and Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol as First Vice-Chair of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

The cooperation mandates both countries to endeavor, within their respective statutory authority and in accordance with their respective laws, rules and regulations, to exchange information on the investment environment and opportunities and share experiences in attracting foreign investment as well as best practices in investment promotion.

Also, the two countries are urged to encourage interested local companies in setting up or expanding their businesses in both countries and provide support to facilitate inward investment to the extent possible under their respective laws and policies.

Tourism

In terms of tourism cooperation, the Philippoines and Cambodia will work together to strengthen tourism cooperation.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism Huot Hak presented the new Implementation Program on an existing memorandum of understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the two countries.

The presentation was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Cambodian Prime Minister Manet, among other signed agreements on various areas of cooperation, in a ceremony held at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.

The newly signed Implementation Program for 2025-2028 builds on the long-standing tourism cooperation between the two nations, which began with the signing of the original MOU in 2000.

People-to-people ties

“On people-to-people ties, we have entered into formal cooperation on technical vocational education and training. I note that our two sides have agreed on the Implementation Program for Tourism as well for the period 2024-2028. These two instruments will lead to more vibrant exchanges between Filipinos and Cambodians learning together, using their skills to advance our industries and our economies, as well as experiencing the hospitality, warmth, and natural wonders of our respective countries,” President Marcos said during the joint press conference.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that “tourism and connectivity are crucial in promoting people-to-people exchange.”

This renewed tourism partnership follows a bilateral meeting between Secretary Frasco and Minister Hak on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia last month, where both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening tourism collaboration.