Cambodia 20250210

Mekong Memo Cambodia Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.

News from Southeast Asia directly to your inbox every weekday.

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Headlines:

Economic Growth through Investment

Strengthening International Ties

Infrastructure and Transportation

Health and Education Improvement

Environmental Protection Initiatives

Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity

Cultural Preservation and Events

Tourism Expansion and Progress

Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Agricultural Innovations and Support

LNG Sector Challenges

Foreign Aid and Partnerships

Market Growth and Export Success

Social Programs and Support Systems

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Economic Growth through Investment

The economy continues to grow with the approval of 68 investment projects totaling $748 million in January 2025, a 300% increase year-on-year. Chinese investors lead these projects and growth in sectors like metal processing and plastics are expected to create 320,000 jobs. Khmer Enterprise supports 907 SMEs with grants and facilitated $25.2 million in investments last year, alongside securing $12.3 million in loans since 2020.

Read more: Cambodia Investment Review (Vision), Construction Property (Investments)

Strengthening International Ties

Cambodia is working the international relations scene through partnerships with Laos, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Senate President Hun Sen met with Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone to strengthen economic and trade cooperation. MoUs with Japan are focused on health and security initiatives, while agreements with Saudi Arabia will help to diversify trade. Partnerships with Switzerland are expected to improve support in healthcare and education.

Read more: Khmer Times (Saudi MoUs), Khmer Times (Switzerland partnership), Khmer Times (Laos), Khmer Times (Japan)

Infrastructure and Transportation

Infrastructure construction continues apace with several big projects including the expansion of National Road 23 in Kandal, which is more than two thirds complete, and the upcoming launch of the nation’s highest bridge on National Road No. 10. City road safety is getting better thanks to new dividers installed on Hun Sen Boulevard, and the final section of National Road 5 towards Poipet is 29% complete - it should be wrapped up by sometime next year.

Read more: Khmer Times (Road 23), Khmer Times (Highest Bridge), Khmer Times (Road Safety)

Health and Education Improvement

Health and education remains in the government’s crosshairs including a school meal program which now serves 37,500 students and has resulted in the deployment of 1,600 agricultural officers across 25 provinces to support farmers. The Ministry of Health has launched a successful One Health education program, certifying nine national teacher trainers and planning expansion to 22 schools. The Ministry of Education is setting up a national research archive to support academic progress, while collaborations with US universities are underway to help support the development of agricultural workforce skills.

Read more: Khmer Times (One Health), Khmer Times (Agricultural Support)