Cambodia-Israel Chamber of Commerce was inaugurated in Phnom Penh

Feb 8, 2010
Port2Port (Israel)

The inauguration is part of an Israeli effort announced last year to expand economic and political ties with Cambodia

Cambodia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, a bi-national business association with the mission of increasing economic development by fostering understanding, cooperation, and business relationships between Israel and Cambodia, was inaugurated last week in Phnom Penh.

Tzahi Selzer, the Israeli economic and trade attaché in Bangkok said that the inauguration is part of an Israeli effort announced last year to expand economic and political ties with Cambodia. Selzer added that "There is huge interest in Cambodia in Israel.

Israeli-Cambodian trade and investment is rather small, and only about 30 Israelis live in Cambodia, said the embassy.

In 2008 Israel was ranked the fourth-largest foreign investor in Cambodia in terms of value of projects approved, with 2.75% of total investment, or US$300 million, according to Cambodian Investment Board figures.

Israel's export to Cambodia in 2009 was up 97% from US$631,000 in 2008 to US$1.25 million. Although level of trade is low the potential is high and create a great deal of interest among Israeli business firms.

Israeli business delegation to visit Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli delegation is set to visit Cambodia on March 16, hoping to forge agreements in agriculture and telecommunications, national media reported Monday.

The move is part of an Israeli effort announced last year to expand economic and political ties with Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post said.

Nguon Meng Tech, director general of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, told the Post that 30 Israeli delegates from the government and private sector would meet up to 40 Cambodian business leaders.

"We should know that Israel is a land of sand, but it has become an agricultural leader because of their expertise," Nguon Meng Tech was quoted as saying.

"I think they are also looking for farmland to grow rice and vegetables," he said, adding that there has been talk of leasing agricultural land to the Israelis and building a hotel, but no details have been disclosed yet.

Meanwhile, Tzahi Selzer, the Israeli economic and trade attaché in Bangkok, said that 15 telecoms companies, as well as agriculture businesses, would be part of the delegation, according to the Post.

Also present would be Israel's minister of telecommunications and minister of agriculture, along with possibly one other high-ranking official.

Israel was ranked the fourth-largest foreign investor in Cambodia last year in terms of value of projects approved, with 2.75 percent of total investment, or 300 million U.S. dollars, according to Cambodian Investment Board figures.

Israeli investors are eyeing Cambodia

16 Jan 2009
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

Tzahi Selzer, first secretary and economic attaché of Israel embassy in Cambodia (residing in Bangkok, Thailand), paid an official visit to Cambodia on 15 January. His undertaking coincides with Israel’s wish to invest in Cambodia.

The Israeli representative gave an interview to the Deum Ampil (Tamarind tree) newspaper in which he indicated that his country is interested to invest in Cambodia in the agricultural sector and in communication.

“In May, we will organize an international exposition on agriculture in Tel Aviv. We invited the Cambodian minister of Agriculture to participate in it, as well as all his counterparts from all over the world,” Tzahi Selzer indicated. He also added that between 15 and 16 March, a meeting between Israeli and Cambodian businessmen and technicians would be organized in Phnom Penh. In fact, he indicated that Israel wishes to establish a commercial cooperation between the two countries.

“Some Israel investors are already in Cambodia. Most of them are in Sihanoukville. They work on bio-diesel and in the real estate sector. Other investors from Israel who have established in neighboring countries, would like to establish themselves here,” he said while recalling that the amount of Israeli investments in Cambodia is still very low.