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The new non-resident Saudi ambassador Thamer Mohammed A. Algosaibi met with Prime Minister Hun Manet on August 24 and Senate President Hun Sen the following day to outline priorities for raising the level of bilateral partnership. According to Construction and Property News the discussions produced a pledge to expand cooperation across seven strategic sectors with a focus on investment trade and tourism. Senate spokesperson Chea Thyrith quoted the ambassador as saying economy trade and investment are potential areas where both can deepen the ties. The ambassador indicated that a Saudi business delegation would visit Phnom Penh soon to pursue concrete opportunities.
Prime Minister Hun Manet encouraged Saudi investors to examine tourism agriculture technology and artificial intelligence as promising fields Cambodianess reported on August 26 2026. Hun Sen for his part stated we want to see more Saudi investors invest in Cambodia especially in processing to bring Cambodian products such as agricultural products to be sold in Saudi Arabia. The Senate president additionally proposed frequent high-ranking visits and business exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding while urging deeper people-to-people connectivity through tourism. These points align with Cambodia’s interest in shifting from raw agricultural exports toward processed goods with higher value.
The latest engagements build on Senate President Hun Sen’s 2024 visit to Saudi Arabia and the July 2025 trip to Cambodia by the president of the Saudi Shura Council according to Khmer Times reporting. Both sides have consistently raised the possibility of direct flights to facilitate two-way tourism and business traffic. Cambodian officials have also invited Saudi partners to utilize special economic zones particularly for halal production that could leverage Cambodia’s market access advantages.
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol separately told the chairman of the Saudi Arabia-Cambodia Business Council that Cambodia’s positive economic trajectory provides a strong base for expanded cooperation Khmer Times noted in February 2026 coverage. The Cambodian side highlighted reforms intended to improve competitiveness and draw quality foreign direct investment. Saudi counterparts observed that Cambodia’s development plans correspond with Vision 2030 creating scope for joint work in manufacturing logistics tourism and agri-business.
National Assembly President Khuon Sudary received the ambassador for a farewell courtesy call and reviewed progress achieved during his posting Khmer Times reported in January 2026. Sudary stressed the value of advancing trade investment tourism and education links while viewing Cambodia’s role within ASEAN and broader regional partnerships. The ambassador reaffirmed his commitment to promoting bilateral relations beyond the end of his official term.
Earlier bilateral discussions have underscored the absence of direct air links as a constraint on tourist flows from Saudi Arabia to Cambodia according to multiple Khmer Times accounts from 2025. Cambodian leaders have repeatedly identified agro-processing as an area where Saudi capital could generate employment and export revenue. The cumulative effect of these meetings has been a steady increase in private-sector exchanges and official visits that officials from both countries describe as laying groundwork for tangible projects.
