Cambodia’s international trade continued its positive performance, with January 2025 recording over $5 billion, a nearly 25% increase compared to January 2024. Exports accounted for approximately 45% of the total trade value.

Data published by the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) on February 10 showed that in January 2025, Cambodia's total trade (imports and exports) with its trading partners amounted to $5.057.2 billion, an increase of 24.6% compared to January 2024, which stood at $4.057.13 billion. 

Of this total, Cambodia's exports were valued at $2.306.49 billion, an increase of 17.3%, while imports amounted to $2.750.7 billion, an increase of 31.6%.

According to the above statistics, Cambodia's trade balance recorded a deficit of $444.21 million, while in January 2024, the deficit was just $123.09 million.

Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, told The Post that as a developing country, Cambodia is striving to strengthen its economy and accelerate its growth.

He believed that the government's introduction of new policies and the development of infrastructure, as well as the private sector’s efforts to attract and encourage both domestic and international investors, have contributed to Cambodia’s continuous positive economic outcomes.

Heng explained that the increase in imports is mainly due to the establishment of new factories or enterprises, which require significant imports in the early stages. However, he noted that this increase in imports will serve production needs in the future.

“The growth in international trade reflects the confidence in new investments and Cambodia’s exports to international markets. The trade value will continue to rise, provided that global economic and policy issues do not cause disruptions,” he added.

He pointed out that improvements in investment laws, customs tax exemption systems provided by major countries, and the implementation of ongoing trade agreements will help attract more international companies to Cambodia. 

Additionally, new tariffs being introduced by some major countries has had a positive effect, enabling Cambodia to attract more foreign direct investment.

Hong Vanak, an economics researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that various factors have contributed to the continued growth of Cambodia's international trade, including the increasing number of companies and enterprises opening businesses in Cambodia.

“Recently, I’ve observed more discussions about the growth of new investments in Cambodia, which is a promising sign for increasing Cambodia’s export trade. Just a few decades ago, Cambodia's international trade was almost entirely dominated by imports,” he said.

He added that the continuous improvement of the transport infrastructure is a significant factor in attracting both domestic and international investors, while also helping reduce production costs in Cambodia, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in international markets.

According to the Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2025, released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance this week, the Kingdom’s economy is tipped to grow by 6.3% in 2025, albeit amidst increasing domestic and international challenges and risks, which will continue to threaten the sustainability and long-term development of Cambodia.

The industrial sector is expected to support this growth, with a forecasted increase of 8.6%, followed by the services sector at 5.6% and the agriculture sector at 1.1%. 

In 2024, Cambodia’s total trade with all its partners was valued at $54.74 billion, an increase of 16.9% over 2023. Of this, exports were worth $26.2 billion, up by 15.7%, while imports amounted to $28.54 billion, up by 18%. 

Cambodia’s five largest trading partners are China, the US, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan. Cambodia’s major exports include garments and textiles, footwear, electronics, machinery, fruit, and rubber products, while imports mainly consist of machinery, vehicles, steel, plastics and chemicals.