CDC Greenlights $5.8 Billion in Investment Projects for H1 2025, Marking 81% Surge

Eco News
Jul 15
2 min read

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.

This figure represents a dramatic 96 percent increase from the 190 projects sanctioned during the same period last year.The newly approved projects carry a combined fixed-asset value of $5.8 billion, an 81 percent leap from the $3.2 billion recorded in the first half of 2024.

These investments are poised to generate approximately 255,000 new jobs for Cambodian workers, underscoring the country’s growing appeal as a regional investment hub.

Diverse Sectors Drive Growth

The CDC report highlights that the projects span a broad spectrum of key sectors, including:

Manufacturing
Renewable energy
Infrastructure
Tourism
Agriculture
Agro-industry

This sectoral diversity reflects Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its economy and attract high-value, sustainable investments.

China Leads Foreign Investment

China continues to dominate as Cambodia’s primary source of foreign direct investment, accounting for 56.23 percent of the total inflows. Other major investors include Cambodia itself, Singapore, and Vietnam, signaling robust regional confidence in the Kingdom’s economic prospects.

Government Reforms and Digitalization

H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the CDC, attributed the surge in investment to several factors:

Continued peace and political stability
A sound macroeconomic environment
Enhanced legal frameworks
Steady economic growth

He also emphasized the government’s commitment to streamlining investment procedures. “Investors can now submit their investment applications online without having to physically travel to Cambodia,” Sun Chanthol noted. “This reduces face-to-face interaction between the private and public sectors and helps minimize the risk of corruption.”

The Royal Government has reiterated its dedication to proactively addressing challenges faced by both domestic and foreign investors, further strengthening Cambodia’s investment climate.

Geographic Distribution of Projects

Of the 373 approved projects:

216 are situated outside Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
157 are located within SEZs

Kampong Speu province emerged as the leading destination, securing 92 projects, followed by:

Svay Rieng: 85 projects
Phnom Penh: 40 projects
Koh Kong: 38 projects
Takeo: 37 projects
Preah Sihanouk: 32 projects

Year-on-Year Investment Momentum

The CDC’s latest figures build on a strong performance in 2024, when Cambodia attracted 414 fixed-asset investment projects valued at $6.9 billion—a 40 percent increase from $4.92 billion in 2023.

Cambodia’s robust investment growth, fueled by policy reforms and digital transformation, positions the Kingdom as an increasingly attractive destination for investors seeking opportunities in Southeast Asia’s dynamic markets.