Cambodian consumers are switching to local products and are seeking alternatives to Thai goods since armed clashes broke out between the two countries’ armies on July 24 along their disputed border.
In Phnom Penh, capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, local coffee shops have been busy with customers, in sharp contrast to empty Thai coffeehouses which used to be popular in the capital.
In recent years, Thai brands have expanded rapidly in Cambodia, with over 180 gas stations, more than 250 coffee shops, and over 100 convenience stores and restaurants owned by Thai companies. They have all seen a sharp decline in consumers recently.
Many Cambodian consumers said that they are more inclined to choose locally-made products due to the border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand.
"I want to support our Cambodian products and I hope our Cambodian products will be more widely known," said one consumer.
Cambodian retailers and importers said that they have also felt the changes in consumer sentiment and will make corresponding adjustments to support local products and brands.
"In the past, customers were looking for Thai products, but now they are starting to look for Cambodian products and support our Cambodian products," said a supermarket worker.
Following a special meeting hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 28, Cambodia and Thailand agreed on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire effective from midnight that day, ending days of border fighting.
Cambodian consumers seek alternatives to Thai products as border tensions escalate
Cambodian consumers seek alternatives to Thai products as border tensions escalate
Cambodian consumers seek alternatives to Thai products as border tensions escalate
China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.
In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.
"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.
This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.
The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.
"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.
China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting
