Close watch on Cambodia border trade

June 28, 2011
The Nation

The Commerce Ministry is strictly monitoring cross-border trade with Cambodia for any fallout from Thailand's withdrawal from Unesco's World Heritage panel.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said yesterday that the ministry would keep a close eye on the border situation, as it could affect export growth.

Cambodia accounts for 10 per cent of Thailand's total cross-border trade.

If any conflict surfaces, the ministry will immediately report it to the Cabinet at today's meeting, she said.

[Thai] Losses in trade, tourism in four days of border clashes estimated at Bt300-500 million: UTCC

BANGKOK, April 25 (MCOT online news) – The Thai-Cambodian border clashes during the past four days have caused approximately Bt300-500 million (US$10-17 million) in losses in border trade and tourism, Thanawat Palavichai, director of the Economic and Business Forecast Centre at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), said on Monday.

The fighting, which erupted in Surin province on April 22, has mainly affected trade and tourism along the borders of Si Sa Ket and Surin with Cambodia. The effects, expected to be short-lived, have caused an estimated Bt50-100 million ($1.7-3.3 million) in daily losses. However, the continued border skirmishes have not hurt the Thai economy overall, Mr Thanawat explained.

Thai-Cambodian border trade is valued at some Bt60 billion (about $2 billion) annually. Most border trade is conducted across the borders of Sa Kaeo and Trat, where about Bt40 billion (over $1.3 billion) changes hands annually, while trade and tourism in Surin and Si Sa Ket earned much less, at an estimated Bt2.4 billion ($80 million) in annual revenue.

Vietnam, Cambodia trade set to increase 27 percent [-A one-way trade?]

01/18

An Giang (VNA) – Viet Nam and Cambodia have set a target of increasing their two-way trade by 27 percent to 2.3 billion USD by 2010 and to 6.5 billion USD five years later.

These targets were released at a Viet Nam-Cambodia border trade conference in the Mekong delta province of An Giang on January 16, which was attended by representatives from central and local governments of the two countries.

Addressing the conference, Viet Nam ’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Nguyen Cam Tu said much remains to be done by the two governments, localities and businesses to achieve the target.

He also mentioned a number of difficulties in cross-border trade between the two countries, including poor transport systems, equipment and facilities.

Participants at the conference proposed that the two governments create a more convenient legal foundation for the development of cross-border trade and transport, loan provision for developing transport systems and facilities at border markets and economic zones.

They also called for the exemption of visas for people in border provinces, the simplification of import-export and investment procedures, and cooperation to build border markets and economic zones and transport systems.

Viet Nam exported 1.2 billion USD worth of commodities to Cambodia last year, a 6.5-fold increase of 2001. Cambodia is now Viet Nam ’s 16 th largest importer, buying mostly home alliance, vegetables and fruits, confectionaries, plastics, cigarettes and detergent.

Viet Nam is Cambodia’s third largest export market, importing chiefly home electric appliance, interior decorations, garment accessories and auto parts.