Cambodia and Belgium are currently in discussions to establish a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the tourism and investment sectors. The proposal was discussed during a meeting on Monday between Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, and the Belgian Ambassador to Cambodia, Michel Parys, who is based in Bangkok.
The proposed initiative includes organizing familiarization trips for media representatives, digital content creators, and travel companies, as well as hosting a Cambodia-Belgium tourism investment forum. These efforts are intended to foster strategic business partnerships and increase the flow of tourists between the two nations. Minister Huot Hak highlighted Cambodia's ongoing promotional campaigns, such as "Cambodia: Kingdom of Wonder" and the "Green Season" initiative, emphasizing that the country remains a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors.
The discussions also addressed Belgium’s participation in the upcoming 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh this November. As part of the summit, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the "Village Francophonie" event, where Belgium has committed to sending a high-level delegation. Ambassador Parys noted the strong existing ties between the two countries, citing the presence of Belgian investors in Cambodia’s hospitality sector and a growing Belgian community in the country.
Socio-economic analyst Chey Tech described the hosting of the Francophonie Summit as a "golden opportunity" for Cambodia to showcase its economic and tourism potential to member nations of the Francophone organization. He urged the government to prepare comprehensive documentation to highlight the nation's strengths and recommended improving hospitality services, including increasing the number of French-speaking tour guides, to better accommodate visitors from French-speaking countries.
Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Belgium were first established in 1955 and were restored in 1992, marking over 34 years of renewed cooperation.
Source: Khmer Times
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