September 19, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are playing an increasingly important role in attracting foreign investors, especially from China. As of 2024, Chinese direct investment in Cambodia had reached approximately $3.4 billion, up from less than $500 million in 2012.
The rapid expansion was shared by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and co-chair of the Cambodia-China Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, during a working meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held in Beijing on September 16.
Also present at the meeting were Cambodian ambassador to China Soeung Rathchavy, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul, Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea and other senior officials.
The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation and implement various planned projects across sectors such as infrastructure, investment, trade, agriculture, industry, health, culture and technology—under the framework of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and related memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
Additionally, discussions included the Techo Funan Canal Project, and especially plans to expand Cambodia’s exports to China, such as fish and rice, under the FTA framework.
Chanthol expressed gratitude to Wang for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with the Cambodian delegation. The warm welcome, he said, reflected the strong friendship and “ironclad” relationship between Cambodia and China.
He highlighted that Cambodia-China investment cooperation has seen remarkable growth, with Chinese FDI increasing from under $500 million in 2012 to about $3.4 billion in 2024. SEZs have played a major role in enhancing Cambodia’s appeal to foreign investors.
“Special Economic Zones are playing a vital role in attracting foreign direct investment, especially from China, into Cambodia,” he noted.
Wang Yi highly praised the Diamond Cooperation between China and Cambodia, which strengthens their “ironclad” friendship and fosters a shared future and mutual benefits.
According to Chanthol, Cambodia has now approved 57 SEZs, of which 11 feature Chinese investment. From 2020 to July 2025, around 400 investment projects have already been launched within these SEZs.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that in the first 8 months of 2025, Cambodia-China bilateral trade reached $12.7 billion, an increase of 26% compared to the same period in 2024. Exports to China were $1.06 billion (down 8%) while imports totalled $11.64 billion (up 30.4%).
Sam Soknoeun, chairman of SAM SN Group, told The Post on September 17 that SEZs play a crucial role in attracting and encouraging investors from various nationalities to invest in Cambodia.
He noted that SEZs are equipped with supporting infrastructure such as roads, energy and single-window administrative offices that streamline processes for factory and enterprise owners.
“All business activities of factories/enterprises within the SEZs are very convenient for investors from the process of importing raw materials for production or processing, to exporting products to international markets,” he explained.