Cambodia is expected to sign a deal with North Korea to boost trade between the two countries' seaports, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Oct. 25. The agreement is part of a trade package to be finalized early next month during a visit to Cambodia by North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong-Il as the nations move to increase economic ties.
Political relations between Cambodia and North Korea "have been excellent ... but with the economic sector, so far there has not been much," Hor Namhong said after meeting with North Korean Ambassador Ri In-Sok.
Last week Cambodian Commerce Minister said isolated North Korea was seeking access to world markets through investing in Cambodia. "Through investment, North Korea may see Cambodia as a bridge by which to produce goods and export to bigger countries," he said at the time, adding though that investment between the two impoverished countries was "zero."
Cambodia has always maintained close diplomatic ties with isolated North Korea, and it has been tapped in the past to ferry messages between South Korea and the north aimed at improving relations.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007
