Malaysia-Cambodia Strengthen Medical Tourism Partnership Towards 2026 Goals
January 31, 2026
The Sunway Medical City Expo 2026 in Cambodia marks a pivotal moment for advancing cross-border healthcare collaboration between Malaysia and Cambodia. This inaugural event, held from January 30 to February 1, underscores a concerted effort to bolster bilateral cooperation in healthcare services and the expanding medical tourism sector. Key attendees included Samheng Bora, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, Shaharuddin Onn, Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia, and Khoo Chow Huat, Director of Hospitals and Healthcare Services at Sunway Healthcare Group.
Boosting Bilateral Healthcare Ties
Samheng Bora emphasized the expo's critical role as a strategic platform to enhance cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, and specifically the health sector. He noted that such initiatives deepen economic connections and strengthen people-to-people bonds, fostering a partnership built on mutual trust. Bora also highlighted the increasing importance of innovative platforms like the Sunway Medical City Expo for expanding bilateral engagement beyond traditional trade.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
The economic relationship between Cambodia and Malaysia is robust, with bilateral trade surpassing $1 billion in 2025, marking an approximate 25 percent increase from 2024. Bora expressed confidence that trade volume in 2026 would continue to grow, supported by initiatives like this exhibition and the Ministry of Commerce’s annual Cambodia Trade Expo (CTExpo). The expo is expected to generate new opportunities for collaboration in trade, services, healthcare, and patient travel, promoting joint ventures and improving access to quality of care for Cambodian international patients.
Malaysia's Vision for Health Tourism
Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn affirmed the strong bilateral relations and friendship, attributing their growth to expanded cooperation in sectors including trade, investment, tourism, education, and healthcare. He underscored Malaysia's commitment to reinforcing these ties. Malaysia has become a trusted healthcare destination for Cambodian patients, with events like the Sunway Medical City Expo further enhancing confidence and accessibility for patient travel.
According to Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn, "Our aim is to place Malaysia as a top destination for health tourism and leisure travel in the region. These efforts are in line with the designation of 2026 as the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism, with the tagline ‘Healing Meets Hospitality’, which also coincides with Visit Malaysia Year 2026."
A Ministry of Commerce report indicated that total bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion in 2025. Cambodia's imports from Malaysia surpassed $900 million (over 30 percent year-on-year increase), while exports to Malaysia reached nearly $144 million (a decline of almost three percent from the prior year).
Bottom Line
Enhanced Collaboration: The Sunway Medical City Expo 2026 is a key step in strengthening cross-border healthcare and medical tourism between Malaysia and Cambodia, aligning with Malaysia's 2026 health tourism objectives.
Economic Growth: Bilateral trade between the nations exceeded $1 billion in 2025, with expectations for continued expansion driven by such innovative platforms.
Improved Patient Access: The initiative aims to broaden options for Cambodian international patients seeking quality and affordable healthcare services, solidifying Malaysia's role as a premier healthcare destination.
Read the full article here: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501837846/cambodia-malaysia-medical-tourism-aims-for-a-new-high/