WTO’S RULE IN THE CONTEXT OF CAMBODIA’S INVESTMENT LAW

By LY Sophana Ph.D. Student, Grade 2022, Southwest University of Political Science and Law

ABSTRACT

In October 1994, the Royal Government of Cambodia submitted an application to join the World Trade Organization (WHO). A working group was established by the WTO Preparatory Committee during its meeting on December 21, 1994, to assess the Cambodian government’s application for membership in the WTO under Article 12 of the Marrakesh Agreement, which established the WTO.

On May 21, 1999, Cambodia sent a Memorandum of Understanding on Foreign Trade Agreements to the WTO Accession Section. Based on this submission, the four main trade partners of the nation sent a total of 179 queries. On November 8, 2000, Cambodia finished answering the questions and sent them to the WTO Secretariat. On May 22, 2001, the first round of bilateral discussions with interested parties came to an end. start. start. Motivated by these first achievements, Cambodia pledged to pursue an aggressive admission program at the Working Group’s second and third sessions, held on February 14, 2002, and November 14, 2002. During the third working meeting, the factual summary was reviewed. On April 16, 2003, Cambodia arrived back in Geneva, where Working Group IV examined the membership report. On June 26, 2003, an unofficial working group convened to examine the bilateral negotiations and concentrate on in-depth talks on the second draft of the Commission’s accession report. Proceed with your business. The informal working group’s conclusions gave the working group chair the chance to set up a formal working group, which convened on July 22, 2003.

Cambodia consented to the membership requirements outlined in the Protocol of Accession on July 22, 2003. The Protocol was signed by Cambodia for ratification on September 11, 2003, after it was approved by the 5th Ministerial Conference. Following the establishment of the new Royal Government of Cambodia in September 2004, the protocol was approved by the National Assembly and the Senate after a year of political wrangling. On October 13, 2004, 30 days after notifying the WTO that its parliament had approved the protocol, Cambodia joined the WTO. Since the WTO replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1995, Cambodia and Nepal are the only two least developed nations to have joined. Commerce laws: International commerce promotes stability and security. Customers and manufacturers are aware of the advantages of having access to a more extensive range of completed goods, parts, raw materials, and services, as well as a reliable supply. Exporters and manufacturers are aware that international markets will always be available to them. This makes the world’s economy more affluent, harmonious, and responsible. Usually, all members of the WTO reach consensus on decisions, which are then adopted by member parliaments. The World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism encompasses trade disputes, with an emphasis on interpreting agreements and obligations and ensuring members’ trade policies adhere to them. This lowers the possibility that a disagreement will turn into a military or political war.

To cite this article: LY Sophana, WTO’s Rule in the Context of Cambodia’s Investment Law, Sala Traju Law Bulletin, Issue 9, June 2026. PDF