The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will establish a representative office in Paris, France, as Cambodia seeks to strengthen business ties with France and expand its access to European markets.
The new office will have 15 elected members and will operate without using Cambodia's national budget, according to a government decision reported on September 25.
The move gives the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce a permanent presence in France as bilateral trade continues to expand and Cambodia prepares for the Third Cambodia-France Business Forum in November.
CCC to Establish Representative Office in Paris
The office will officially be known as the Representative Office of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France, with its jurisdiction covering the French capital.
The office will consist of 15 members selected through an election.
Importantly, the representative office will operate without using the national budget, according to the government decision.
The Ministers of Economy and Finance, Commerce, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with other relevant institutions, have been tasked with implementing the decision.
The establishment of the Paris office is intended to give Cambodian businesses a permanent institutional presence in one of Europe's major commercial centres.
Cambodia-France Trade Reaches $267 Million in Five Months
The move comes as trade between Cambodia and France continues to grow.
According to Cambodia's Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade reached $267 million during the first five months of 2026, representing a 15.1% increase year on year.
Cambodian exports accounted for $213 million, while imports from France reached $53 million.
This means Cambodia recorded a merchandise trade surplus of approximately $160 million with France during the first five months of 2026, based on the figures reported by the Ministry of Commerce.
Cambodia-France Trade at a Glance
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Bilateral trade, Jan-May 2026 | $267 million |
| Year-on-year growth | 15.1% |
| Cambodian exports | $213 million |
| Cambodian imports | $53 million |
| Reported trade balance | Approximately +$160 million |
| Total trade in 2025 | $568 million |
| 2025 growth from 2024 | 11.7% |
The figures indicate that trade between the two countries has continued to expand after reaching $568 million in 2025, an increase of 11.7% compared with 2024.
Paris Office Comes Ahead of Cambodia-France Business Forum
The new CCC office is being established as Cambodia and France prepare for the Third Cambodia-France Business Forum in November.
Commerce Secretary of State Samheng Bora recently met French officials and representatives from French-Cambodian business organisations to review preparations for the event.
Participants included:
- Emmanuel Ly-Batallan, Economic Counsellor at the French Embassy
- Representatives of the France-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Representatives of French Foreign Trade Advisors
The upcoming forum is expected to provide a platform for Cambodian and French businesses to explore trade, investment and commercial partnerships.
Agriculture, Manufacturing and Innovation in Focus
The Cambodia-France Business Forum will highlight opportunities across several sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Services
- Innovation
These sectors provide potential areas for Cambodian companies seeking French partnerships and for French companies exploring opportunities in Cambodia.
For Cambodian exporters, stronger business representation in France could also provide greater access to potential buyers, investors, distributors and business networks.
Why Paris Matters for Cambodian Businesses?
Paris is not only France's political capital but also a major European commercial centre.
A permanent CCC representative office can potentially make it easier for Cambodian businesses to maintain relationships with French counterparts and participate in business networking activities.
The office could support activities such as:
Business networking
Connecting Cambodian companies with French businesses and professional networks.
Market access
Helping Cambodian companies explore commercial opportunities in France.
Investment connections
Supporting communication between potential investors and businesses in Cambodia.
Trade promotion
Promoting Cambodian products and business opportunities to French partners.
Business representation
Providing a permanent point of contact for Cambodian companies seeking assistance in France.
The source does not specify the exact services that the Paris office will provide or its annual operating budget, so those details cannot yet be determined.
France as a European Partner in Cambodia's Diversification Strategy
The CCC describes France as a key European partner in Cambodia's economic diversification strategy.
The establishment of the Paris office therefore has significance beyond bilateral trade alone.
Cambodia is seeking to expand relationships with different international markets and business partners.
For Cambodian companies, stronger links with France could create opportunities to develop relationships within a major European economy.
For French companies, increased Cambodian representation in Paris could provide a more direct channel for learning about investment and commercial opportunities in Cambodia.
The two-way nature of the relationship is important.
Trade growth does not depend only on Cambodian exports to France. Sustainable bilateral economic relations can also involve investment, services, technology, partnerships and business-to-business cooperation.
Cambodia's Export Position in the Relationship
The trade figures show that Cambodia's exports to France were substantially higher than its imports from France during the first five months of 2026.
Cambodian exports reached $213 million, compared with $53 million in imports, according to the Ministry of Commerce figures cited in the source.
That produces an approximately $160 million trade surplus for Cambodia during the period.
The source does not provide a detailed breakdown of the products behind the export and import figures.
As a result, it is not possible from the supplied information alone to determine which individual products or industries drove the 15.1% increase in bilateral trade.
Business Forum Could Expand Commercial Connections
The Third Cambodia-France Business Forum could provide an opportunity to move beyond trade statistics and develop direct commercial relationships.
Business forums can connect companies with potential partners, distributors, investors and service providers.
For Cambodia, the sectors identified for the forum are particularly relevant to economic diversification.
Agriculture
Cambodian agricultural producers and exporters can seek opportunities to develop international markets and partnerships.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers can explore investment, supply-chain and technology partnerships.
Services
The services sector can provide opportunities for professional, tourism, digital and business-related cooperation.
Innovation
Innovation and technology partnerships could provide another channel for cooperation between Cambodian and French companies.
The source does not identify specific companies, investment projects or agreements expected to emerge from the November forum.
Angkor Times Analysis
The decision to establish a CCC representative office in Paris comes at a notable point in Cambodia-France economic relations.
Trade reached $568 million in 2025, and the first five months of 2026 recorded another $267 million, up 15.1% year on year.
Cambodia's exports accounted for $213 million of the January-May 2026 total, indicating that Cambodian businesses already have a significant commercial relationship with the French market.
The new Paris office could therefore be viewed as an attempt to build institutional infrastructure around an existing trade relationship rather than starting from zero.
For Cambodian businesses, the value of a permanent overseas business office will ultimately depend on how effectively it converts representation into practical commercial opportunities.
The most useful functions would likely involve helping businesses identify potential partners, understand market requirements, establish contacts and participate in business networks.
The November Cambodia-France Business Forum provides an immediate opportunity to test and expand those connections.
There is also a broader strategic issue.
Cambodia's trade diversification requires more than opening access to markets. Companies need the ability to meet market standards, develop competitive products, establish distribution relationships and maintain long-term commercial partnerships.
The Paris office can provide representation, but the competitiveness of Cambodian businesses will remain central to whether greater market access translates into sustained export growth.
The source does not provide details about the office's specific programmes, staffing costs, commercial targets or expected trade impact. Those factors will be important for evaluating its effectiveness after it begins operations.
For now, the combination of rising bilateral trade, an upcoming business forum and a permanent CCC presence in Paris points to an effort to strengthen the business-to-business infrastructure connecting Cambodia with France.
Key Takeaways
- Paris: CCC will establish a representative office in France's capital.
- 15 members: The office will have 15 elected members.
- No national budget: The office will operate without using Cambodia's national budget.
- $267 million: Cambodia-France bilateral trade during January-May 2026.
- 15.1%: Year-on-year growth during the first five months of 2026.
- $213 million: Cambodian exports to France during the period.
- $53 million: Cambodian imports from France.
- $568 million: Total bilateral trade in 2025.
- 11.7%: Growth in bilateral trade in 2025 compared with 2024.
- November: Third Cambodia-France Business Forum scheduled to take place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cambodia opening a CCC office in Paris?
The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce is establishing the representative office to provide a permanent presence in France, support Cambodian businesses and strengthen economic cooperation with the country.
How many members will the Paris office have?
The representative office will have 15 elected members.
Will the Paris office use Cambodia's national budget?
According to the government decision described in the source, the office will operate without using the national budget.
How much did Cambodia trade with France in the first five months of 2026?
Bilateral trade reached $267 million from January through May 2026, an increase of 15.1% year on year.
How much did Cambodia export to France?
Cambodian exports to France reached $213 million during the first five months of 2026.
How much did Cambodia import from France?
Imports from France reached $53 million during the same period.
How much was Cambodia-France trade in 2025?
Total bilateral trade reached $568 million in 2025, representing an 11.7% increase from 2024.
What sectors will the Cambodia-France Business Forum focus on?
The forum will highlight opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, services and innovation.
When will the Third Cambodia-France Business Forum take place?
The forum is scheduled for November 2026.
What is the broader purpose of the Paris office?
The CCC says the office will support Cambodian businesses, strengthen partnerships and expand economic cooperation with France, which it considers an important European partner in Cambodia's diversification strategy.