Phl and Cambodia forge stronger ties with eight bilateral agreements

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at Malacañan Palace on 11 February 2025 during the latter leader's visit to the Philippines.

The two leaders signed eight bilateral agreements aimed at bolstering trade, investment, and food security. These agreements cover taxation, agriculture, digital transformation, tourism, technical education, competition law, cultural property protection, and investment promotion. Additionally, Marcos and Hun Manet discussed ASEAN unity, transnational crimes, and Cambodia’s role in supporting the Philippines’ food security and economic growth.

Marcos also expressed gratitude to Cambodia’s king for pardoning 13 Filipinos convicted of surrogacy-related human trafficking who were repatriated in December, while Hun Manet encouraged Philippine businesses to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia and called for increased air travel routes between the two nations.

Here are the agreements that the Philippines and Cambodia forged:

Agreement on the Elimination of Double Taxation

Signed by the Department of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, this agreement aims to eliminate double taxation on income, without enabling tax evasion.

Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation

Signed by the Department of Agriculture and Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, this MOU seeks to enhance collaboration in agriculture and agribusiness.

Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communications Technology Cooperation

Signed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Cambodia’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, this agreement is intended to promote ICT transformation.

Implementation Program for Tourism Cooperation (2020–2021)

Signed by the Department of Tourism and Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, this program is designed to implement tourism-related initiatives.

Memorandum of Understanding on Technical and Vocational Education Cooperation (2021)

Signed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, this MOU fosters collaboration in skills development.

Memorandum of Understanding on Competition Policy Implementation

Signed by the Philippine Competition Commission and the Cambodia Competition Commission, this memorandum seeks to enhance competition policies.

Memorandum of Understanding on the Prevention of Looting and Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

Signed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, this MOU aims to prevent the illegal trade of cultural artifacts.

Memorandum of Intent on Investment Cooperation

Signed by the Department of Trade and Industry (Board of Investments) and Cambodia’s Council for the Development of Cambodia, this memorandum is designed to strengthen investment collaboration.