Cambodia seeks US technical and institutional support ahead of LDC graduation

As it prepares to graduate from least developed country status in 2029, Cambodia asked the United States to provide medium- and long-term technical assistance and institutional capacity building during the transition. Economy and Finance Minister Aun Porn Moniroth made the request on August 28 at the ministry. He met a US congressional delegation led by Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne, joined by Georgia Representative Richard McCormick and Virginia Representative Suhas Subramanyam. He described Cambodia’s socioeconomic progress over more than three decades despite uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and regional and global risks. Aun Porn Moniroth thanked the US for cooperation on a reciprocal tariff agreement and thanked President Donald Trump for efforts to broker the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire. Marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, he stressed the role of the United States as a trade and development partner in Cambodia’s socioeconomic progress in garments, other manufacturing, health, finance and hospitality. The Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance said Van Duyne had yet to agree to the request. She praised Cambodia’s socioeconomic development, poverty reduction and pursuit of peace and stability as foundations for national development. She said the countries would strengthen economic and development ties through trade and investment, digital transformation, use of artificial intelligence and a better business environment. Cooperation would also cover technology-enabled crime, online scams and immigration to support sustainable, resilient, inclusive and equitable growth. Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television. By ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត.