The CEO of a publicly-listed Malaysian company has expressed an interest in exploring further investment opportunities in Cambodia in the fields of technology and logistics. He met with Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss the matter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 27, following the 46th ASEAN Summit and related summits.
“MMAG Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian logistics and technology company. It provides a range of services, including warehousing, e-commerce solutions, inventory management, packing and sorting, and direct delivery to customers,” explained the prime minister, in a same-day social media post.
Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin, executive chairman and CEO of MMAG Holdings Berhad, noted that his company operates across the region, including in Cambodia.
“Currently, we operate logistics services at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. Moreover, we aim to explore investment opportunities in the digital security sector and further expand our logistics investments in Cambodia,” Abu Hanifah told Manet.
The prime minister welcomed the company’s investment interest in Cambodia. He highlighted key government policies to support the logistics sector, including the development of infrastructure such as the expansion of the Sihanoukville deep-sea port to transform it into a regional logistics hub, along with airport and road construction.
He also noted that the government has introduced investment mechanisms in special economic zones (SEZs), categorised by industry type and specific countries, along with supportive policies for foreign investors. These include creating a favourable investment environment and simplified legal procedures, particularly in the logistics sector.
“The digital sector is currently receiving close attention from the seventh-mandate government and is considered a key priority sector,” he said.
Manet encouraged the companies to continue engaging with the relevant Cambodian government institutions to explore concrete investment possibilities.
Both nations implemented a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) in early 2021, making Malaysia on of 11 nations that have a DTA with the Kingdom. The others are Thailand, Singapore, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Macau and Turkey.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), in 2024, total trade volume between Cambodia and Malaysia reached $865.52 million, an increase of 36.9% over 2023. Of this, Cambodia exports equalled $147.39 million (a 40.3% increase), while Malaysian imports totalled $718.13 million (a 36.2% increase).
In the first four months of 2025, total trade was up 33.5% over the same period last year, reaching $353.17 million. Exports amounted to $45.92 million (up 6%), while Malaysian imports were valued at $307.25 million (up 38.9%).
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on May 28 that as countries within the ASEAN region, Cambodia and Malaysia have always had close economic cooperation.
He noted that many Malaysian investors have injected capital into the Kingdom, noting that factors such as geographical location, investment laws and access to export markets have encouraged foreign investors — including those from Malaysia — to see Cambodia as an attractive destination for investment.
“Political stability, economic growth and investment laws have made Cambodia a highly favourable country for capital investment across all sectors,” he said.
Regarding the scale of trade, Vanak asserted that due to strong cooperation between the governments of both countries — and given that both are part of the same regional bloc — the trade volume between Cambodia and Malaysia is expected to continue to grow significantly in the future.
