Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has returned to Manila following a three-day state visit to Cambodia, which produced five business agreements and three government-to-government deals designed to strengthen bilateral and economic relations between the two nations.
In his arrival statement, Marcos described the trip as “productive,” highlighting constructive talks with Cambodian leaders and leading businesses that centred on cooperation across key areas.
“I have returned from my state visit to Cambodia where I had a constructive exchange with, among others, Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen on advancing our bilateral relations across key sectors and fora. I also met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, and we underscored the mutual regard that we place on our close bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” he said.
The President also detailed discussions with Cambodian businesses alongside the official Philippine business delegation. “We had a productive engagement with the top businesses in Cambodia together with our official business delegation, where our discussions focused on our complementary strengths and how both sides can offer each other unique opportunities for growth and for market diversification,” Marcos noted.
Talks with the private sector led to five signed agreements covering aviation, logistics, and support for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises. Marcos explained that the deals would create opportunities for Philippine exports and deepen institutional links between business groups from both countries.
“In our efforts to strengthen our respective economies and that of our region, we highlighted our collective interest to bolster intra-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) trade through enhancing market access,” Marcos said.
“As ASEAN remains one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world, and its middle class continues to strengthen, we have seen intense travel and exchanges among our people. We need to enable and strengthen the nodes of connectivity to support the further development of the ASEAN community.”
In 2024, trade between the Philippines and Cambodia totalled USD105.69 million.
At the government level, three agreements were signed covering police cooperation, higher education partnerships, and air connectivity. Marcos emphasised the need for collaboration on emerging threats. “While we open doors for tourism and cultural exchanges and reap the benefits of regional integration, we also recognize the emerging security threats in our region. In this regard, we affirmed our determination to fight criminal elements that misuse technology and exploit our peoples,” he said.
He added that both countries are seeking “more responsive” cooperation to address regional security challenges and have agreed to “work extensively” to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Marcos also expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s diplomatic support. “I also took the opportunity to express my appreciation for Cambodia’s support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship in 2026,” he said.
The President ended his visit by meeting with members of the Filipino community in Phnom Penh. “Any visit, of course, would not be complete without honoring the valued contributions of our hardworking, talented, and dedicated Filipino Community in Cambodia. And we had a very warm and friendly visit with them in Phnom Penh. I shared with them the current developments in the Philippines to uplift the quality of life for every Filipino,” Marcos said.
