Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin (centre), inspects a tyre manufacturing plant in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). SSEZ
A total of 13 investment proposals — 12 new projects and the expansion of an existing one — with a combined investment capital of approximately $318 million are under review by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
On the morning of April 12, at the CDC headquarters, the seventh “One Window Service Office Meeting” of 2025 was held to examine and discuss the 12 qualified investment registration proposals and the expansion of an iron ore business project in Kampot province. The meeting was led by Chea Vuthy, secretary-general of the CDC, and attended by representatives from relevant ministries, institutions and provincial authorities.
According to the CDC, the 13 possible investment projects are expected to create around 7,300 jobs. Among the 12 new projects, 11 are in the industrial sector and 1 is in the infrastructure sector (a 150-megawatt wind-powered electricity generation station).
The projects are located in the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampot and Mondulkiri.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on May 12 that the number of investment projects submitted and approved has steadily increased since 2024.
Notably, they now cover almost all sectors, unlike in the past, when they were almost exclusively textile projects. Emerging industries include tyre manufacturing, vehicle assembly plants, agriculture, electronics manufacturing, mining, hotels and tourism.
He believed that several factors are helping Cambodia attract direct investment, such as the advantages provided by the investment law, the abundance of a young labour force, improved transportation infrastructure and especially Cambodia’s access to many international export markets.
“As the global economic situation improves, I believe more international investors and well-known companies will begin operations in Cambodia,” he added.
In the first four months of 2025, the CDC approved 231 investment projects with a total capital of USD 3.4 billion. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of investment projects increased by 103, equivalent to an 80% rise, while the investment capital increased by over USD 856 million, or approximately 34%.
In 2024, the CDC approved 414 investment projects, up 54% (146 more projects) over 2023, when 268 were approved. The total investment capital of the 414 projects amounted to approximately $6.9 billion, a 40% increase from $4.92 billion in 2023.
