Cambodia and Iran Friday agreed to boost long-term economic cooperation especially in the spheres of petrochemicals, nanotechnology, aerospace, refinery, construction and infrastructure development that include building new roads and ports alongside promoting bilateral investments and examining the feasibility of opening direct flights from Tehran to Phnom Penh.
This came as Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), received a delegation led by Ali Akbar Nazari, Iranian Ambassador to Cambodia, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, in Phnom Penh.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari expressed his deep gratitude for the warm and friendly hospitality and highly appreciated the diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Iran, a statement issued by the CDC said.
“He noted the recent progress in Cambodia’s economic and social development while affirming the Islamic Republic of Iran’s interest in strengthening and enhancing cooperation to a higher level for the benefit of both nations.”
Nazari conveyed Iran’s readiness to contribute to Cambodia’s development by offering technical and engineering expertise across a wide range of sectors, including petrochemicals, nanotechnology, aerospace, refinery construction, road building, and industrial development, Tehran Times reported.
“He also called for swift finalisation and signing of a bilateral investment protection treaty to provide a clear framework for long-term economic cooperation.”
The Iranian newspaper said that the Deputy Prime Minister responded by emphasising Cambodia’s strong legal and governmental support for foreign investment. “He noted that Iranian investors are welcome to begin their activities even before the treaty is signed and ordered the relevant authorities to expedite the review of the draft agreement.”
“In January 2025, Iran’s Ambassador to Vietnam – who is also accredited to Cambodia – held high-level meetings in Phnom Penh with Khuon Sudary, President of the Cambodian National Assembly, as well as the Ministers of Health and of Culture and Fine Arts.
“In 2024, Cambodia and Iran discussed the promotion and enhancement of mutual cooperation in the field of applied robotic surgical technologies, where researchers from the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia and from Iran cooperated to advance surgical capabilities to help break new ground for global health.”
Separately, the Iranian envoy held talks with Im Sithol, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
They discussed exploring the opportunities to export Cambodian agricultural products including rice, pepper and mango to the Iranian market.
The secretary of state pointed out the Kingdom’s ability to adhere to Halal standards with regard to its agricultural exports.
“Cambodia also intends to import agricultural products from Iran including various fruits and saffron flowers.” Iran is the world’s largest saffron producer, responsible for approximately 90 percent of global saffron production.
They also held talks on improving the trade of livestock, hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both countries to boost bilateral agricultural trade.
