CDC okays 546 investment projects worth $7.8 billion

CDC okays 546 investment projects worth $7.8 billion

The surge of investment projects reflects Cambodia’s growing appeal as a regional investment destination supported by strong political stability and pro-business reforms.

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) approved 546 projects worth $7.8 billion in the first nine months of this year, marking an increase of $2.5 billion compared to $5.3 billion during the same period last year, with China accounting for over half of all investments, according to the Cambodia Investment Board (CIB) report issued on Thursday.

The CIB report went on to add that 55 projects were approved in September alone, with a total investment value of approximately $467 million and the potential to generate around 37,000 jobs nationwide. Of these, 38 projects are located outside special economic zones (SEZs), while 17 are within SEZs, showing a balanced expansion of both industrial and regional development.

From January to September, the CDC approved 546 projects with a total investment capital of $7.8 billion, representing an increase of $2.5 billion or 47 percent compared to the $5.3 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.

The report highlighted that China continued to dominate the Kingdom’s investment landscape, accounting for 53 percent of total capital inflows, followed by local investors at 30 percent, Singapore at 6.9 percent and Vietnam at 5.2 percent.

The surge of investment projects reflected Cambodia’s growing appeal as a regional investment destination supported by strong political stability and pro-business reforms.

It also underscored Cambodia’s ongoing progress in attracting both domestic and foreign investors, aided by strategic economic policies, improved connectivity and a favourable regulatory framework.

Notably, within just nine months, the CDC registered 132 more investment projects than in the entire year 2024, an indicator of the country’s post-pandemic recovery momentum and improved business sentiment.

The manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors remained among the top recipients of new investment. One of the key projects approved outside the SEZs includes a cassava processing and fertiliser factory in Stoung district of Kampong Thom, with a total investment of $20 million.

Another major project involved the establishment of a car assembly factory in the Kampong Tralach district of Kampong Chhnang, with a total investment of $19 million and creating job opportunities for 1,142 workers.

Within the SEZs, the textile and garment sector continued to attract strong interest. A new textile, garment and textile-related products factory in Qi Lu (Jian Pu Zhai) SEZ, Svay Rieng, involved an investment of $30 million and will generate 1,078 jobs.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Lor Vichet, Vice-President of the Cambodia-Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), highlighted key factors behind the surge in investments, including political stability, improved infrastructure, favourable investment laws and a young workforce.

He said, “Political stability remains the most critical prerequisite factor of consideration before investing, as no investor wants to invest in a country that changes its government frequently.

When administrations shift often, regulatory frameworks also change, creating uncertainty for long-term business planning and investment confidence.”

Vichet stressed that roads, railways, bridges and air network interconnectivity are also vital for businesses engaged in trade and logistics. He also underlined that Cambodia’s investment law allows 100 percent foreign ownership and enables investors to repatriate profits abroad without restriction, a level of openness unmatched by many countries in the region, further strengthening investor trust.

“Once projects are approved in principle by CIB of CDC, investors are eligible to apply for preferential tax exemptions ranging from three to nine years, depending on the scale, sector and location of their investment projects if their projects are qualified as Quality Investment Project.”

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