Cambodia Investment Review
A new Ford production line and sub-assembly plant was officially inaugurated today in Pursat province, marking a pivotal development for Cambodia’s automotive industry and broader industrial ambitions. The facility, operated by RMA Cambodia, is the latest example of the Kingdom’s strategy to diversify its economy and attract long-term foreign investment.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who praised the investment as a landmark moment for both Pursat and the national economy. He noted that Cambodia’s manufacturing landscape is evolving beyond garments and textiles, now proudly encompassing vehicles bearing the “Made in Cambodia” label.
Strengthening Cambodia’s Investment Appeal
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to supporting private sector development and foreign investment. He underscored the Kingdom’s strategic direction toward reducing regulatory barriers, offering tax incentives, and maintaining political and economic stability.
“Today, Cambodia can proudly label products ‘Made in Cambodia’ not only on garments and textiles but also on cars,” the Prime Minister stated. “This signifies a truly significant milestone in our nation’s economic development.”
He also highlighted Pursat province’s growing role as a new industrial hub. The province now hosts approximately 400 operational factories, increasingly attracting international investors from the United States, Japan, and other countries. This trend aligns with the government’s wider effort to spread industrial growth beyond traditional centers such as Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
RMA Cambodia Expands Automotive Operations
The newly opened plant is a major investment by RMA Cambodia, a company that has operated in the Kingdom since 1992 and is part of the broader RMA Group. Speaking at the event, RMA Group CEO Kevin Whitcraft detailed the scope and scale of the project.
Initially established with an investment of US$21 million on a five-hectare site, the facility has since expanded to 12 hectares. The total investment now stands at US$26.8 million, reflecting RMA’s increasing confidence in Cambodia’s long-term potential.
Mr. Whitcraft also announced that the plant has been upgraded from a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly process to Incompletely Knocked Down (IKD)-1 level. This move significantly enhances local production capabilities and raises the plant’s annual output capacity to over 10,000 vehicles—supporting both domestic and potential regional market demand.
“This investment reflects our belief in Cambodia as a strategic base for automotive manufacturing in the region,” said Mr. Whitcraft.
Automotive Sector Gaining Momentum
The Ford plant is the latest in a growing list of automotive assembly facilities in Cambodia. According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, this brings the total number of car assembly plants in the country to nine. The expansion of the sector signals Cambodia’s increasing role in the regional automotive supply chain, a sector traditionally dominated by more established industrial players in Southeast Asia.
The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating Cambodia’s open-door policy for foreign direct investment, stressing the importance of a non-discriminatory business environment that treats all investors fairly.
The opening of Ford’s new facility not only reinforces the Kingdom’s industrial progress but also demonstrates its capacity to move up the value chain, from basic manufacturing to higher-value assembly and production. As Cambodia continues to attract major international brands, its journey toward becoming a regional industrial player gains further momentum.
