AKP Phnom Penh, March 10, 2026 --

The Thbong Khmum Provincial Administration has officially established a sister city relationship with Rochester City in Minnesota, the United States, aiming to strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences across key sectors to support the province’s development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony held on Mar. 9 in Thbong Khmum province by H.E. Pen Kosal, Governor of Thbong Khmum, and Ms. Bentley Sokunthea, President of the Friendship Alliance in Rochester, Minnesota.

H.E. Koy Kuong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United States, attended the ceremony along with a delegation of provincial officials and international guests.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Pen Kosal said the partnership would serve as an important bridge for exchanging knowledge and experiences across various sectors to accelerate development in the province.

“Forging a sister city alliance will not only enhance the image of Thbong Khmum province on the international stage but also open new opportunities for U.S. investment,” he said.

The Governor also highlighted the province’s economic potential, particularly in the agricultural sector, which offers significant opportunities for investment.

As of 2026, more than 40 major investment companies are operating in Thbong Khmum province in sectors such as energy processing and agriculture.

In 2013, Phnom Penh and Cleveland City in Tennessee, the United States, signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a sister-city relationship.

Besides the U.S., Cambodia has so far established sister-city partnerships with many cities in ASEAN member states, China, Japan, South Korea, France, and so on.

By Chea Vannak