Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and business leaders during his state visit to Cambodia from September 7 to 9, as announced by Malaca±ang on Thursday. This visit comes at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, and Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President and the First Lady will be received by acting Head of State and Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and his spouse, Samdech Kittiprittbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen, representing His Majesty. A key component of the visit will be a bilateral meeting between President Marcos and Prime Minister Hun Manet, focusing on expanding cooperation in combating transnational crimes and enhancing connectivity. Discussions will also cover significant sectors such as agriculture, higher education, tourism, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Malaca±ang stated that President Marcos will engage in a roundtable dialogue with prominent business leaders from both the Philippines and Cambodia. This dialogue aims to explore ways to diversify sources of goods and expand market access between the two nations, with an additional goal of increasing bilateral and intra-ASEAN trade.
President Marcos is also scheduled to meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia to express his gratitude for their contributions to the economic and socio-cultural development of both the Philippines and Cambodia. Cambodia is home to more than 7,000 Filipinos, many of whom work in education and services.
Marcos' upcoming state visit to Cambodia serves as a reciprocation of Hun Manet's official visit to the Philippines in February 2025. During Manet's visit to Manila, at least eight agreements were signed in key areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, education, tourism, and information and communications technology. The Philippines and Cambodia have maintained formal diplomatic relations since August 20, 1957.
