Labour minister Heng Sour addresses a ceremony to welcome 200 new investment companies to the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). STPM
In the first 20 months of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s seventh-mandate government, the number of large factories in Cambodia has swelled by an eighth. The Kingdom was home to approximately 40,300 large enterprises in August 2023, when the government was formed. By April this year, that figure had increased to 45,386.
Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training proudly shared the figures during a May 22 ceremony at the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). The ceremony, which was also attended by Prime Minister Hun Manet, was held to formally welcome 200 new investment companies to the zone, and also provided a chance for the labour minister to meet with workers.
He noted that as by April, the Kingdom’s factories and other large enterprises employed more than 1.8 million workers, nearly 1 million of them in the textiles or garment sectors. This represented a jump from the roughly 1.65 million factory workers recorded at the beginning of Manet’s term.
Sour noted that collectively, the workers earn annual salaries of around $6 billion, adding that in the garment sector alone, about 970,000 workers receive a combined annual salary of about $3 billion.
He also highlighted the growth of Preah Sihanouk province. Between 2008 and April 2025, the number of factories/enterprises grew from 96 (employing around 10,000 workers) to 3,833 enterprises with approximately 120,000 workers, now generating around $360 million in annual salaries. The province is host to five special economic zones (SEZ).
Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasised how the government has consistently introduced policies that would create job opportunities and raise incomes. The attraction of 200 companies to the SSEZ was not a coincidence, but rather the result of sound policy decisions.
He explained that over the past two decades, SEZs have become a key driver in Cambodia’s industrialisation and economic diversification. He reiterated that the government welcomes investment from all countries and has put forward policies to attract more investors.
“The government is not only committed to attracting investment to develop the economy and create jobs, but also aims to ensure peace and stability at every industrial site, benefiting the general population, especially the workers. Workers' active participation is a crucial force in national development, and turning Cambodia into a fully developed and prosperous nation,” he said.
He noted that the government has laid out clear principles to create job opportunities both in the formal and informal sectors, aiming to ensure that the people can access more and better jobs, along with higher incomes.
Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin also addressed the ceremony.
He stated that the SSEZ is not only a model of Cambodia-China cooperation but also a symbol of their friendship. He explained that the zone plays a critical role as a bridge and conduit for deepening cooperation between China’s Jiangsu Province and Preah Sihanouk province, especially in healthcare, education and culture.
“In the context of global economic uncertainty, solidarity is essential. Challenges can be turned into opportunities to promote sustainable growth. China is ready to continue cooperating with Cambodia and promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
Wang also pledged to encourage more Chinese investors to invest in the Kingdom.
Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association(CCCA), told The Post on May 22 that the development of new infrastructure, such as roads, international airports and seaports, is key to attracting more foreign investment. These improvements also help reduce transportation costs and time.
“The expansion of the deep-sea port in Preah Sihanouk is becoming a major attraction for foreign investors. More Chinese investors are expected to invest in the SSEZ in the near future,” he added.
