Senate, CDC target higher-value industries

Senate, CDC target higher-value industries

Officials assess investment priorities designed to enhance Cambodia’s business climate and drive economic diversification into higher-value sectors.

The Senate’s Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Development, Environment, Water Resources, and Meteorology (Third Commission) and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) Wednesday reviewed investment priorities aimed at strengthening the business environment and promoting economic diversification toward higher value-added industries.

A high-level meeting chaired by Commission President Mong Reththy and Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol took place at the CDC headquarters. The discussions centred on the CDC’s 2026 strategic roadmap, operational challenges, and Cambodia’s broader economic development.

The meeting was also attended by CDC Secretary-General Kong Vibol, Cambodian Investment Board Secretary-General Chea Vuthy, and other senior officials.

Reththy outlined the Senate’s core responsibilities as making laws, overseeing law enforcement, and representing citizens.

He added that the Senate also focuses on international cooperation and internal development. To meet these goals, the Senate’s 10 commissions actively research their specific sectors. This data collection is essential for monitoring laws, sharing information, and advising both the Senate Standing Committee and the Senate President.

“The purpose of this discussion is to gain a better understanding of the progress, challenges and work directions of the CDC for 2026, as well as to review and discuss matters related to development, investment and the promotion of Cambodia’s economic growth,” Reththy said.

DPM Chanthol said the cooperation is important for building confidence and creating a stronger investment environment for both domestic and international investors, as Cambodia moves forward with economic diversification and efforts to attract investment into higher value-added industries.

As the government’s policy and investment facilitation arm, the CDC has developed strategies to attract, coordinate and provide aftercare services for investors, he said.

“The CDC has also pursued internal reforms and digitalisation through the modernisation and implementation of the Cambodia Investment Project Management System (cdcIPM), allowing qualified investment projects to be registered online,” Chanthol emphasised.

Chanthol highlighted Cambodia’s key advantages and potential, including its young workforce, strategic geographic location, investor-friendly investment law and the government’s strong focus on the private sector through various mechanisms.

He also pointed to ongoing physical infrastructure development, including expressways, deep-water ports and waterways infrastructure, which are expected to strengthen the country’s transport and logistics systems.

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