The Cambodian economy entered the first half of 2025 at a turning point, balancing robust exports with the fragility of certain internal drivers. Driven by international demand, particularly from the United States and the European Union, and by a gradual recovery in tourism, economic growth remains positive despite headwinds.

The repercussions are being felt in local communities – market vendors, migrant workers and small traders – who have long depended on daily crossings for their livelihoods. The once-fluid crossings between the seventeen official border posts are now hampered by closure orders and reduced opening hours. These sudden barricades have an immediate impact on the border economy, where some 500,000 Cambodian workers hold essential jobs in the Thai labour market. Fruit sellers, stall

In a context that is causing waves in the industrial strongholds of Southeast Asia, the United States will impose tariffs of 36% on all Cambodian exports, particularly textiles and footwear, starting on 1 August 2025. Arnaud Darc reacts live on TV5 Monde.

During the farewell visit of Ambassador Jacques Pellet, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, expressed her deep gratitude to France for its invaluable role in Cambodia's development journey.

Cambodia has marked a historic milestone with the successful export of its first container of fresh durian to China, symbolizing a new chapter in the diversification and expansion of its agricultural exports.

On July 10, 2025, the Official Journal officially announced the appointment of Olivier Richard as France's new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Cambodia, marking an important chapter in France's diplomatic engagement with the Kingdom.

Cambodia’s investment landscape is experiencing a remarkable upswing, with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) announcing the approval of 373 investment projects in the first half of 2025.

La Direction générale des douanes et accises (GDCE) du Cambodge a annoncé une augmentation remarquable de 21 % des recettes douanières pour le premier semestre 2025 par rapport à la même période l'année dernière.

After two years of negotiations, Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) via CAIC (Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd) has officially signed an operating agreement with Cambodia Airports, a subsidiary of French giant VINCI, to operate the highly anticipated Techo International Airport (TIA).

Arnaud Darc, a leading figure in the Cambodian business community, has emerged as a vocal critic of the US approach, arguing that these tariffs are more a means of geopolitical pressure than a desire to ensure fair trade.

During a historic announcement made at the 5th edition of the Meeting of Entrepreneurs of the Francophonie (5th REF), held from June 26 to 28, 2025, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, H.E. Mr. SUN Sovanna, Secretary of State, representing H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, announced that Cambodia would host the 6th REF.

Ruder Finn, one of the world’s largest independent global communications and integrated marketing consultancies, announced today the acquisition of ERA Communications, an award-winning Southeast Asia-based strategic communications consultancy of 90 professionals, renowned for the deep local insights it applies to best-in-class work.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the food and beverage (F&B) sector worldwide, including in Cambodia, offering businesses unprecedented benefits in terms of efficiency, innovation, and customer engagement.

2024 proved to be a pivotal year for the hotel sector in Asia-Pacific (APAC), with a record increase in hotel transactions and a promising recovery in tourism.

On the morning of Monday, June 30, 2025, a meeting was held at the Wing Tower Bank building in Phnom Penh, focusing on the critical issue of tensions at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Government-Private Sector Forum (G-PSF) with the aim of assessing the short-, medium-, and long-term repercussions of the current border situation and developing concrete recommendations.

Economic forecasts for Cambodia in 2025 and 2026, as established by leading international organizations, are mixed, reflecting both optimism and caution in a complex global and regional context.

The long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand is escalating into a worrying standoff with significant diplomatic and economic consequences.

For Cambodia, the Cambodia Economic Update report published in June 2025 by the World Bank paints a mixed picture: robust but uneven growth, a resilient export sector, and an urgent need for fiscal reforms to ensure a sustainable future. However, the data was processed before the diplomatic tensions between the Kingdom and its neighbor Thailand, the outcome of which remains uncertain.

For foreigners wishing to work in Cambodia in 2025, a work permit is mandatory. Cambodian law requires foreign employees to have a work permit in order to be legally employed.

Cambodia's export sector continued its strong growth, generating approximately US$3.61 billion from shipments to member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the first four months of 2025, an increase of 7.6% compared to the same period last year.

At the third United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a speech reaffirming Cambodia's strong commitment to sustainable ocean development and the protection of marine biodiversity.

Recent clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, including a deadly shooting on May 28 that killed a Cambodian soldier, have exacerbated tensions between the two countries. After reinforcing their troops in late May and early June, the two countries agreed to return to their previously established military positions along the disputed border.

The future Techo International Airport (TIA) welcomed the French Embassy for an official visit, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jacques Pellet, French Ambassador to Cambodia, accompanied by French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCE), the French-Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFC), and representatives of the French business community.

Cambodia's ambitious plan to transform Preah Sihanouk province into a regional investment hub continues to gain momentum, with the government approving a further 10 projects worth $154 million under its “Special Investment Promotion Program”.