Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira called on Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace Thursday and discussed matters pertaining to expanding collaboration to boost trade and the flow of tourists between the two countries.
During the meeting, both leaders agreed to expand cooperation in the tourism and agriculture sectors as well as strengthen people-to-people contacts among other numerous issues of common interests.
Mr Hun Manet praised the historical collaboration with Brazil and expressed hope to further strengthen and expand the trade ties while maintaining the same foreign policy and trade procedure with the Brazilian government.
Viera agreed to further deepen the cooperation in the fields of trade, education, health and cultural exchange to attract tourism for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
The Brazilian foreign minister appreciated the Cambodian government’s move to operate an embassy in Brazil and said that his government also plans to start its embassy in Phnom Penh by 2024 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Cambodia-Brazil diplomatic relations.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA) said, “The operation of Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) next week has so much potential to attract international tourists as the airport can receive huge aircraft from nearly half of the globe.”
Sivlin emphasised that the decision to open the embassy in both countries manifests the master plan to cement the bilateral relationship and facilitate travellers and investors from Brazil.
Dr Thourn Sinan, the Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter, told Khmer Times that the relationship between the two governments has not been strong in the past, resulting in a low number of Brazilian visitors coming to the Kingdom. However, he said that Brazil’s vast population could be seen as an opportunity for Cambodia to attract international tourists.
Sinan further said that despite Brazil’s struggling economy, the country boasts the highest population in Latin America and this demographic is particularly significant for Cambodia, where over half of the populace is engaged in farming. “The Foreign Minister sees an opportunity for collaboration with the Kingdom potentially supplying agricultural products to the Brazilian market,” he added.
Source: Khmer Times
