[SINGAPORE] South-east Asian neighbours Singapore and Cambodia intend to continue advancing shared interests in renewable energy trade, high-quality carbon markets, agri-trade and bolstering Asean centrality.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made this point on Wednesday (Jul 2), in a toast at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, at an official lunch hosted by his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet.
The Singapore leader was on a one-day trip to the kingdom.
His visit came amid escalating tensions between neighbours Cambodia and Thailand, but was consistent with a customary series of introductory visits he has made across South-east Asian capitals – a tradition followed by previous prime ministers.
Cambodia is his eighth stop.
The tour took him to Brunei and Malaysia in June 2024, Laos in October, Indonesia and Thailand the following month, Vietnam in March 2025, and the Philippines three months after that.
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A statement by Singapore’s foreign ministry noted that PM Wong “expressed concern in relation to recent developments on the Cambodia-Thailand border” in his meetings with the kingdom’s leaders.
He “encouraged both sides to resolve the matter peacefully and amicably, in line with the spirit of Asean solidarity”.
The Singapore leader “expressed hope that both sides will de-escalate tensions, engage constructively and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law and the broader stability of the region”, said the post-visit statement.
He had made the same point in his toast at the lunch in the palace, where he said: “In this uncertain global environment, it is more important than ever for Asean to stay cohesive, uphold open channels of dialogue, and work together to resolve our differences peacefully.
“Only then can we preserve our relevance, and continue advancing the region’s collective interests.”
Both leaders discussed several priority areas of cooperation, including the import of low-carbon electricity from Cambodia to Singapore.
An implementation agreement on carbon credits is also in the works.
PM Wong said: “This will mobilise financing for clean-energy projects, uplift rural communities and improve livelihoods, while enabling both our countries to hit our net-zero goals.”
On agri-trade cooperation, he noted that Cambodia stands as a key agricultural exporter, while Singapore imports almost everything its people eat.
The Republic is also keen to diversify its sources of food imports, so closer collaboration will be “mutually beneficial”, he said.
Long friendship
Noting that both nations commemorate six decades of diplomatic ties this year, PM Wong pointed out that Cambodia was among the first countries to recognise Singapore’s sovereignty.
The kingdom was in turn one of five countries where the Republic first opened its overseas missions.
The Singapore leader said: “Our ties (were) built on the strong foundation laid by then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and His Majesty, King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. It is a foundation of mutual respect, trust and friendship that continues to guide our relationship today.”
Presently, Singapore stands as one of Cambodia’s largest investors and trading partners, added PM Wong.
Latest figures put Singapore as Cambodia’s third-largest foreign investor last year, with bilateral trade growing 7.1 per cent year on year to S$4.83 billion.
These investments sweep across the real estate, energy, trading and distribution, agribusiness, food, consumer, education and finance sectors.
PM Wong described both countries as “steadfast partners” in human development.
Nearly 19,000 Cambodian officials have visited Singapore for training programmes in public health, digital governance and public administration.
Today, Cambodia has an “ambitious” strategy to achieve high-income status by 2050, having made “remarkable strides” in its transformation from a post-conflict society to a rapidly developing nation, said PM Wong.
“Singapore will continue to walk alongside Cambodia in this development journey.”
The day’s happenings
Following a ceremonial welcome on Wednesday, the countries’ premiers held a bilateral meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
Hun Manet, the eldest son of long-time ruler Hun Sen, made his first visit to Singapore as Cambodia’s prime minister in June 2024. He took office in August 2023.
PM Wong also called on Senate President Hun Sen at the Senate House.
The Singapore leader laid wreaths at the Independence Monument and the Royal Memorial Statue of the late Norodom Sihanouk, who was Cambodia’s king, prime minister and president.
PM Wong had an audience in the afternoon with King Norodom Sihamoni, the son of the late elder statesman, and returned to Singapore in the evening.
