prime minister hun sen at the opening ceremony of asean economic ministers’meeting in Phnom Penh on Monday. ( photo’sovanara)
SIEM REAP Province: Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen urged Asean economic ministers to consider Hong Kong’s request for accession to Asean free trade agreement after this autonomous region is becoming one of biggest partners of trade and investment in Asean bloc.
Speaking at the opening of asean economic ministers’ meeting in siem reap, prime minister said: “ Asean economic ministers need to consider Hong Kong’s proposal for accession to asean –china trade agreement. For the benefits of increasing market accession to Hong Kong which is one of the 10 largest trading partners of asean, and based on positives studies made on the impacts of Hong Kong’s accession to ACFTA.”
“He also requests the Asean economic ministers to make recommendations on legal implication, impacts and challenges pertaining to Hong Kong’s accession to Asean leaders at the 21st Asean summit to be held in November for their decision. Bilateral trade between asean and Hong Kong reached at US$79 billion in 2011. Highest trade partners of ASEAN bloc with Hong Kong including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and Vietnam. Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Hong Kong was worth US$741 million totally in 2011 and $607 million in 2010. ( SEAW)
