(AseanAll) — Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr. Santo Darmosumarto, conducts visit to Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia to strengthen engagement with local leaders and the business community on March 10,2025.
Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr. Santo Darmosumarto, visited Kampong Cham Province to foster communication with local government officials and business stakeholders. The visit also aimed to promote the economic diplomacy initiatives of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh for the year 2025.
During a meeting with the Governor of Kampong Cham, Un Chanda, the Ambassador expressed Indonesia’s commitment to further developing cooperation in trade, investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. A particular focus was placed on exploring partnership opportunities with Kampong Cham’s Muslim community, which comprises approximately 40,000 people.
Recalling his experience working with the Garuda Contingent during the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992, Governor Un Chanda conveyed his appreciation for Indonesia’s support in Cambodia’s peace and development efforts. He also recognized the significant market potential for Indonesian halal-certified products, catering not only to the Muslim community but also to a broader consumer base.
Both officials agreed on the need to establish a balanced economic partnership, including through enhancing Cambodia’s export capabilities. Last year, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Cambodia reached USD 1.1 billion, positioning Indonesia as Cambodia’s seventh-largest trading partner.
As part of the visit, Ambassador Darmosumarto toured Kampong Cham’s key industrial sectors, including dried fish processing and tapioca flour production. Currently, the province has a limited number of agricultural and fisheries processing industries, resulting in the majority of its raw produce being exported in unprocessed form at lower prices.
The President of the Kampong Cham Chamber of Commerce, Huot Chheun, welcomed the interest of Indonesian businesses in investing in the province’s processing industry. With the ongoing development of the Funan Techo Canal, it is expected that access to export markets for Kampong Cham’s products will become more efficient and expansive.
Regarding the local Muslim community, the Ambassador expressed his hope that more students from Kampong Cham would receive scholarships to pursue higher education in Indonesia. He also visited the largest market serving the province’s Muslim community, engaging directly with local vendors.
