Vietnam exports about 60 million USD worth of aquatic products to Cambodia annually. (Photo: VNA)Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on February 8 issued a press release onthe resumption of the import of aquatic products, including farmed fish, from neighbouringcountries, including Vietnam.
The import suspension was announced by the Cambodianside one month ago.
On January 19, Vietnamese Minister of Industry andTrade Tran Tuan Anh sent a letter to Cambodian Minister of Commerce PanSorasak, saying Vietnam’s shipments of farmed fish failed to pass through customsand were returned.
The import ban showed signs of running counter to thetrade liberalisation spirit of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the ASEANEconomic Community, of which both countries are members, he said.
In the press release, the Cambodian Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it will continue to collect feedbackfrom the Cambodian Aquaculture Association, importers and exporters, andconcerned agencies that are Cambodia’s trade partners to build and recognisetechnical standards.
Le Bien Cuong, head of the Vietnamese trade affairsoffice in Cambodia, told the Vietnam News Agency on February 8 that theCambodian side has shown its goodwill and active response.
Cambodia would consider imposing additional non-tarifftechnical measures in farmed fish import, including certificates of product originand quality, he said.
According to the Vietnamese ministry, in recent years,Vietnam has exported about 60 million USD worth of aquatic products to Cambodiaannually. Although Cambodia is not a major market of Vietnamese aquaticproducts, its stable import demand has contributed significantly tocross-border trade development, as well as job creation and income generationfor local residents./.
VNA
