Cambodia, New Zealand FMs pledge to boost trade, tourism ties

Cambodia and New Zealand pledged on Wednesday to further promote trade and tourism relations between the two countries for mutual benefits, said Cambodian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Chum Sounry.

The pledge was made during a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and visiting New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully.

"The two ministers agreed that it is necessary for the two countries to further boost trade and tourism cooperation," the spokesman told reporters after the meeting.

Annual trade volume between the two countries is relatively small -- only 10 million U.S. dollars. On the tourism side, more than 20,000 New Zealanders visited Cambodia last year.

During the talks, Hor Namhong also proposed New Zealand to provide scholarships to Cambodian young diplomats to study in New Zealand.

In response, McCully agreed with the proposal.

The two ministers also exchanged views to further enhance ties and cooperation between New Zealand and ASEAN.

Later in the day, McCully signed an air services agreement with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Sok An, paving the way for national carrier Air New Zealand to launch direct flights to Cambodia.

McCully arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday for a two-day visit. Cambodia is his first leg of a two-nation trip, which will also take him to Laos.