Cambodia open to diverse foreign investment, PM says

Cambodia open to diverse foreign investment, PM says

Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday reaffirmed Cambodia’s openness to welcome all foreign investors to consider investing in the country, citing the Royal Government’s commitment to boosting the attractive investment environment.

Presiding over the celebration of the presence of 200 investment companies operating in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) at Preah Sihanouk province, Mr Hun Manet said, “Cambodia welcomes all countries to invest in Cambodia, such as in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. Despite the initial differences between the Cambodian government and China, factories from the United States, France, Japan, etc. have also invested here.”

He said that in response to the people who continued to vote in favour of the Cambodian People’s Party to lead the country, the Royal Government will strive to attract more foreign investors to invest in Cambodia and create jobs for the people.

“To increase employment and livelihood for Cambodian citizens, the Royal Government of Cambodia practices a standard foreign policy for all countries,” he said, ruling out any “biased approach towards China, America, Japan, or any other country”.

Regarding the SSEZ development, the Premier spoke highly of the zone in contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

Over the past two decades, the Sihanouk Special Economic Zone has created a harmonious and national economy for Cambodia. So far, the zone has attracted more than 200 additional investment companies to invest to further boost the economic flow of Cambodia as well as Preah Sihanouk province, he added.

The value of imports and exports passing through the SSEZ hit a record high in 2024.

The total trade volume of the enterprises in the SSEZ reached $4.07 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 percent, the SSEZ data showed.

Jointly ventured by Chinese and Cambodian investors, the 11-square-km SSEZ is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Mr Hun Manet emphasized that Chinese friends have always helped Cambodia at all times and in all sectors, particularly in both economic and political aspects, while Cambodia’s stance towards Chinese friends is to support the one-China policy.

Lim Heng, Vice-President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, attributed SSEZ’s success to the peace, stability coupled with huge markets under the frameworks of free trade agreement that emboldened the confidence of the foreign investors.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Heng said, “Nation’s peace, stability, and soundness of political, economic and legal systems along with the FTAs and RCEP offer huge markets for made-in-Cambodia products. These factors have become a catalyst to attract new investment.”

According to a report by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), in the first four months of 2025, the CDC approved 231 investment projects with an investment capital of approximately $3.4 billion.

Similarly, the registration of investment projects increased to 231, 80 percent from 128 in the same period last year.

khmertimeskh