Dubai Chambers Identifies Cambodia as a Top Emerging Market as CEPA Accelerates Bilateral Trade
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Dubai Chambers has named Cambodia one of its most promising emerging markets for global expansion, signalling a new era of economic cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The announcement reinforces Cambodia’s growing visibility in international business circles and strengthens its position as a rising destination for trade and investment, adding further weight to this fast-developing sector of Cambodia news.
A 16-company delegation from Dubai, representing construction, FMCG, food and beverages, engineering, healthcare, and oil and gas, visited Phnom Penh under the chamber’s New Horizons programme. The initiative is designed to help Dubai businesses explore high-potential markets and establish new commercial partnerships around the world.
During the mission, the delegation engaged in targeted B2B meetings and a major business forum co-organised by the Ministry of Commerce, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
Dubai Sees Cambodia as a Strategic Growth Partner
Speaking at the “Doing Business with Cambodia” forum on November twenty eight, Salem Al Shamsi, executive vice president for International Relations at Dubai Chambers, said Cambodia’s investment climate and CEPA’s entry into force have shifted bilateral ties from diplomatic discussions to practical commercial activity.
He said Dubai is committed to helping its companies build long-term partnerships in key markets and that Cambodia represents a timely opportunity.
Al Shamsi highlighted Dubai’s status as a global re-export hub, noting that the UAE accounts for more than 40 per cent of Middle East re-exports, with Dubai responsible for the majority. He described Dubai as a gateway for Cambodian exporters seeking access to Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, supported by world-class logistics and international connectivity.
In an interview, he pointed to DP World’s global footprint as evidence of Dubai’s expansive logistics ecosystem. With more than ninety ports under management and operations extending into last-mile delivery, he said the question now is how Cambodian companies can tap into these capabilities to reach new markets.
He added that Dubai is increasingly integrating developing markets into its global trade strategy, identifying Cambodia, Malaysia, and North African economies as emerging trade partners.
CEPA Already Delivering Early Economic Impact
Marwan Al Marri, director for the Asia Region at Dubai Chambers, said CEPA has started to stimulate stronger trade flows. He reported a seven per cent rise in trade under CEPA compared to the same period last year, with bilateral trade reaching forty seven million dollars in the first half of 2025.
He noted that CEPA is complemented by a broader network of Dubai-led trade agreements, enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness as a global trading partner.
According to Dubai Chambers, Cambodia’s non-oil trade with Dubai reached nearly three hundred ninety five million dollars in 2024, marking a three per cent increase year-on-year.
Cambodia Positions Itself as a Key Gateway to ASEAN
Cambodia Chamber of Commerce president Kith Meng said the high-level mission from Dubai underscores a deepening commercial partnership grounded in CEPA, which took effect on thirty one January 2024.
He said CEPA offers institutional certainty, lowers investment risk, and creates a predictable environment for large-scale capital deployment. For Dubai and the wider UAE, the agreement provides a direct gateway into the dynamic ASEAN region. For Cambodia, it secures preferential access into the GCC commercial hub.
Meng said Cambodia is targeting sectors where UAE capabilities align strongly with national development goals. These include infrastructure, logistics, aviation, tourism, clean energy, FinTech, and vocational training.
He told the delegation that Cambodia is ready for meaningful collaboration and encouraged companies to convert discussions into tangible agreements.
Investors Presented With a Strong Cambodian Outlook
The Council for the Development of Cambodia briefed investors on the country’s macroeconomic stability, investment incentives, and long-term strategy to position the Kingdom as a manufacturing and logistics centre serving the 680-million-strong ASEAN market.
Dubai Chambers outlined priority export and investment opportunities across aluminium, iron and steel, furniture, tourism, construction, warehousing, textiles, and consumer goods.
Al Shamsi said the chamber is committed to expanding its footprint in high-growth economies and sees Cambodia as a strategic partner for mutually beneficial economic development.
He said both markets stand to gain from stronger cooperation, improved connectivity, and the shared ambition to build resilient supply chains and diversified trade routes.
Also read, FUCHS Gruppe to Build Pepper-Processing Factory in Cambodia by 2026
