Cambodia has decided to lift the ban on the imports of frozen meats and other frozen products from India, but with a couple of temporary conditions.
As New Delhi battled a massive surge in Covid-19 cases during the second wave, Phnom Penh had on May 1 imposed a ban on import of frozen meat products from India labeling them as a "high risk".
The decision on Tuesday comes after persistent efforts made by India and its Embassy in Cambodia, urging the country to withdraw the temporary ban on import of buffalo meat and other meat products from India immediately. India had made it clear that the move is harmful for business sentiments, especially when both countries are trying to negotiate a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
Moreover, the tests done on frozen meats products arriving from India had also shown negative result.
According to Cambodian national news agency AKP, as per the statement of the General Department of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the exporters now are required to have a certificate of origin issued by Indian authorities specifying that no Covid-19 virus on the frozen meats. Also, once arrived in Cambodia, the frozen meats and other frozen goods must be tested for Covid-19 by the Pasteur institute of Cambodia, it underlined.
The Cambodian government said that the conditions will be eased or completely lifted if the situation of Covid-19 in the exporting country is better and following subsequent negative results of Covid-19 tests on frozen meats and products.
"Indian embassy in Cambodia appreciates and is thankful for the decision. The step will improve our bilateral relations further," tweeted Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Cambodia.
@indembcam welcomes appreciates and is thankful for the decision @PeacePalaceKH of the Royal Government of Cambodia! @PMOIndia @rivagdas @VishvasSapkal @DoC_GoI step will improve our bilateral relations further https://t.co/y9oYKdxhpX
— Devyani Khobragade (@devyani_K) June 22, 2021
India has been supplying good quality meat and meat products to Cambodia for a long time now. In 2020, buffalo meat exports from India reached US $ 17.7 million from US $ 6.4 million in 2019, garnering 12.28% share of total bilateral trade. Buffalo meat exports from India to Cambodia in the first two months of 2021 had already reached $ 9.32 million and are expected to see exponential growth in the coming times.
