An American company is preparing a $297.6 million investment to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) along the Mekong River, aiming to attract European and US manufacturers while leveraging future transport links to strengthen Cambodia’s role in regional and global trade.
Heng Sokkung, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), told the media yesterday that a large American company has shown sustained interest in Cambodia’s market potential.
Although the MISTI Secretary did not disclose the name or exact location of this investment project, he confirmed that the firm has conducted five study missions in the Kingdom.
During its missions, the company engaged with Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and other senior officials, focusing on strategic investment opportunities and the country’s emerging logistical advantages, he noted.
According to Sokkung, the investor planned to develop a SEZ along the Mekong River aimed at attracting investment from European and American companies. “The proposed project would span nearly 100 hectares with a total capital commitment of $297.6 million,” he said.
He emphasised that the project is designed to strengthen Cambodia’s industrial base and integrate the country into higher-value global supply chains, enhancing its competitiveness and enabling participation in more advanced manufacturing and trade opportunities.
The MISTI Secretary noted that the first phase would prioritise processing and furniture manufacturing industries to quickly generate export revenue and create skilled job opportunities.
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In its second phase, the SEZ would expand into heavy industries and technology-based sectors, enabling Cambodia to diversify its industrial base and enhance its competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and value-added production for global markets, he added.
Sokkung highlighted that the Mekong River will play a pivotal role in the project’s success, especially once it becomes a major commercial goods transportation route linked to the sea through the planned Funan Techo Canal (FTC).
He stressed that this connectivity will allow investors to reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery times, and gain more reliable access to export markets—key factors that influence manufacturing site selection for multinational companies.
“The logistical advantages are the main reason this American giant firm is interested in building a SEZ near the Mekong River,” Sokkung said, noting that efficient infrastructure is essential to attracting and retaining foreign investors.
The MISTI Secretary expressed optimism that the project would act as a catalyst for broader investment flows. He recalled that companies such as Ford Cambodia and Coca-Cola Cambodia have already invested successfully, reinforcing the Kingdom’s credibility with American businesses.
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He concluded that the scale and scope of this proposed investment could send a strong signal to global markets, boosting investor confidence and positioning Cambodia as a more attractive, cost-competitive destination for industrial development and international trade in the years ahead.
Speaking to Khmer Times, the MISTI Secretary noted that the technical team from this American firm conducted multiple site visits to Cambodia last year.
Sokkung said, “This year, the management team has already visited Cambodia twice, touring the project site and holding discussions with senior government officials.”
If all goes well, the team is expected to make their investment before the end of the year, he added.
