Phnom Penh, August 13, 2024 — Cambodia's Minister of Information, Neth Pheaktra, has called for increased investment from ASEAN member states and China, highlighting Cambodia's peace, political stability, and young workforce as key attractions.

Speaking at the ASEAN-China (Shanxi) Trade and Investment Promotion Seminar held in Changzhi, Shanxi province, China, the Minister emphasized the country’s conducive environment for investment, citing the nation’s consistent economic growth and its favorable policies for foreign investors.

“Thanks to peace, political stability, a robust adult population, and human capital, Cambodia has successfully drawn significant investments from Europe, the United States, and Asia,” Neth Pheaktra remarked at the seminar, which was part of ASEAN-China Week 2024 under the theme "New Opportunities, New Momentum, New Cooperation, and New Development."

The Minister noted that as of 2023, Cambodia's foreign direct investment (FDI) had reached a total of USD 48.4 billion, reflecting a 7.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. He attributed this growth to the country's favorable investment environment, incentive policies for new investments, and several large-scale free trade agreements (FTAs). These agreements include the Cambodia-China FTA, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Cambodia-Korea FTA, and the Cambodia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

China remains Cambodia's largest investor, with a total investment of USD 3.7 billion in 2023. The Minister emphasized that Cambodia continues to offer significant opportunities for investors from China, particularly from Shanxi, as well as from other ASEAN countries.

Cambodian products are exported to various international markets, including 250 million consumers in the Mekong sub-region, around 630 million in the ASEAN market, and 2.2 billion in RCEP member countries.