Despite Losing Over $400 Million in Customs Revenue, Cambodia Gains Export Momentum of More Than $20 Billion
Customs figures put FTA-related revenue forgone at US$420.51 million in the first half of 2026. Exports reached US$20.81 billion in the first seven months, up 21.3%; the reporting periods differ.
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The implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) resulted in forgone customs revenue of approximately 1,688.72 billion riel, about 420.51 million U.S. dollars (a 67.19% increase in forgone revenue compared with the same period a year earlier) in the first half of 2026. On the contrary, this mechanism has become a strong driving force that has helped push Cambodia's export value to soar to 20.81 billion dollars in the first seven months of 2026, representing an increase of 21.3% compared to the same period in 2025.
Speaking at a workshop on the implementation of Free Trade Agreements, Mr. Chan Sopheap, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE), emphasized that Cambodia is currently implementing 11 agreements (including the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN-India, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Australia/New Zealand, ASEAN-Hong Kong, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Cambodia-China, Cambodia-South Korea, and Cambodia-United Arab Emirates), and continues to negotiate the establishment of new agreements.
This surge in exports clearly reflects the effectiveness of leveraging preferential tax regimes and integrating Cambodia's economy into regional and global markets, with the aim of promoting sustainable and inclusive national economic growth. By: Pai Sokhim
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