Sman Manan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 12: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Kuwait Sman Manan disclosed that bilateral relations between the two countries started with the visit of former Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad to Cambodia, during which a number of memoranda of understanding were signed. In a press conference held at the embassy recently, Manan added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Kuwait in 2009 and signed additional memoranda of understanding, bringing the total to 11. These agreements cover various fields like labor, investment, agriculture, civil aviation and trade, among others. The ambassador explained that despite the signing of these memoranda, they have not been fully implemented or utilized. He pointed out that political and economic factors have hindered the ability of investors to engage as needed, despite the efforts of senior Cambodian officials to promote the initiative.

These efforts included a visit to Kuwait by Minister of State for the Development Council of Cambodia, Asman Hassan who invited Kuwaiti investors to explore opportunities in Cambodia. Regarding visa procedures, Manan clarified that Kuwaitis require a visa to enter Cambodia, which can be obtained through three methods: applying directly at the embassy, with processing completed within one to two days; applying online; or obtaining a visa upon arrival, provided the tourist is affiliated with a travel agency. Business travelers also need an agency or sponsor. He added that the number of Kuwaiti visitors remains small, with most traveling for tourism or humanitarian purposes. He affirmed that Kuwait ranks first in supporting humanitarian projects in Cambodia; including building schools for Muslim communities, constructing mosques, and providing homes for the poor and orphanages. He praised Kuwait’s reputation in Cambodia, stating that the country’s name is closely associated with its globally recognized humanitarian efforts. He also confirmed the presence of 635 mosques in Cambodia’s 25 provinces, as well as the availability of halal food and high-end hotel services. On labor, Manan said an agreement has been signed between the two countries to recruit workers, but it has not yet been fully implemented. He attributed the delay to cultural and environmental differences, as well as salary expectations, which are comparable to those in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, where salaries start at $2,000 or more.

He stated “this makes it challenging to convince Cambodian workers to come to Kuwait. Nevertheless, the Cambodian Ministry of Labor is coordinating with its Kuwaiti counterpart to activate the agreement, particularly for the recruitment of domestic workers.” He mentioned that the current number of Cambodians working in Kuwait is small and primarily limited to the hospitality sector, including hotels and resorts. About his diplomatic career, he revealed that he served two terms as Cambodian Ambassador to Kuwait—the first in 2015 and the second in 2023. He has completed two out of the five total terms Cambodian ambassadors have served in Kuwait. He emphasized that his primary objective is to strengthen joint government efforts and enhance bilateral relations, particularly by boosting trade and investment and promoting tourism cooperation.

The ambassador stated that he is actively engaging with travel agencies in both countries to promote tourism exchange, although progress has been limited so far. He added “I will again request the relevant authorities in my country to come to Kuwait to discuss and activate this cooperation.” He revealed that he met with Cambodia’s new Minister of Tourism in 2024 and again in 2025 to strengthen tourism and investment ties between the two nations. Regarding education, the ambassador disclosed that there are currently 38 Cambodian students studying in Kuwait; most of whom are enrolled in Arabic language programs and are supported by religious institutions. He stressed that Cambodia has potential in key sectors such as real estate, hospitality, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and construction. In conclusion, he highlighted a major strategic project for Cambodia -- the opening of a new international airport on Sept 9. He said this development will expand air connectivity and pave the way for direct fl ights between Cambodia and Kuwait.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff