Workers collect rubber sap at a plantation in Ratanakiri province. Post Staff
The Cambodian government has identified agriculture, agro-industry and tourism as priority sectors for 2025-2028 investment in the provinces of the northeastern region. This follows previous efforts by the government to develop infrastructure to connect remote areas.
On February 27, the government issued the “Special Program to Promote Investment in the Four Northeastern Provinces” – Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri – from 2025-2028.
This strategic initiative was designed to expand the economic base of provinces far from growth centres and promote connectivity with the national economy.
The document explained that the programme will not only focus on promoting investment and development, but also contribute to expanding the economic base and developing key sectors, thereby becoming a new source of economic growth for the nation.
“This special programme is a significant document in outlining three priority sectors, namely agriculture, agro-industry and tourism, which align with the existing factor endowments of the four provinces and should encourage additional investment, with the full support from the government,” it said.
“The special programme clearly indicates many incentives that the government can provide to the private sector, including concessional loans with reasonable interest rates, assistance in reducing production costs, facilitating procedures and supporting private investment activities,” it added.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on April 8 that the government’s strategy to promote investment in the northeastern provinces is essential for connecting the people throughout the country and supporting local development. The region holds significant potential for cultivating a wide range of crops.
He believed that the investment programme would bring numerous benefits by preparing new strategies that are flexible and encouraging the expansion of crop cultivation and the development of other locations to attract more investors and tourists.
“I am optimistic that the special investment promotion programme will lead to more investment in these areas, especially in the sectors prioritised by the government. Through this investment, investors will receive many incentives from the authorities,” he said.
He noted that, due to increasing yields, the provinces in the northeastern region face challenges in terms of a lack of processing factories or enterprises to support exports.
Vanak also highlighted the rich mineral resource potential of the northeastern provinces.
