In the first half of 2025, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) approved 373 investment projects with a total capital of approximately $5.8 billion. Nearly two-thirds of them were in the industrial sector.
According to a July 7 CDC press release, the projects are expected to create about 255,000 jobs. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents an increase of 183 projects and an investment capital surge of about $2.5 billion, or roughly 77% growth.
Industrial and manufacturing projects totalled $4.2 billion, while agriculture and agro-Industry saw $130 million approved. $20 million of tourism projects also included, while other projects totalled $1.5 billion.
The top source of investment was China, at 56.23%, followed by Cambodia 29.76%, Singapore 7.72% and Vietnam 3.01%. Other notable source included the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Samoa, the UK and USA, and South Korea, noted the report.
Kampong Speu province will host the highest number of approved projects at 92, followed by Svay Rieng 85, Phnom Penh 40, Koh Kong 38, Takeo 37, Preah Sihanouk 32 and Kandal 25.
Of them, 216 are located outside special economic zones (SEZs), while 157 projects are within them.
Some of the notable projects which are outside SEZs include hydropower plants, solar and wind power stations, expansion of cattle farming for meat and breeding, metal processing factories, and the development of integrated tourism and service resorts.
The Kingdom’s SEZs will see new and expanded tyre manufacturing plants, as well as automotive assembly and medical equipment manufacturing operations.
In June alone, the CDC approved 83 projects, including 36 in SEZs, with a total investment of $1.6 billion. The top investors for June were Cambodia at 46.79%, China 40.38%, Vietnam 8.33% and Singapore 2.69%, and the projects are projected to create 52,000 jobs.
In 2024, CDC approved a total of 414 investment projects, marking a 54% increase (146 projects) over 2023. Total investment capital in was approximately $6.9 billion, up 40%.
