A senior French parliamentarian has pledged to strengthen economic and investment cooperation with Cambodia, as bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $570 million in 2025.
The commitment was made during a meeting between Suon Sophal, deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and Thomas Lam, Member of Parliament and president of the Cambodia–France Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the CDC headquarters on February 24.
Sophal welcomed the French delegation, whose visit aimed to exchange views on enhancing bilateral economic and investment cooperation. He recalled that the heads of government of both countries have demonstrated strong commitment to further strengthening their historic ties, particularly by promoting bilateral trade and investment through encouraging potential French businesses to enter the Cambodian market.
He informed the French guests how the Cambodian government is making strong efforts to improve the investment climate through the introduction of smart and highly attractive investment incentives, infrastructure development, workforce training aligned with market needs and the establishment of Cambodia–EU public-private dialogue mechanisms.
Three rounds of such dialogue have already been held to build trust and address investors’ concerns.
“I request that the Cambodia–France Friendship Group continue launching initiatives and action plans aimed at strengthening business-to-business (B2B) relations between the two countries, particularly by leveraging the opportunity of the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host, to organise an Investment and Business Forum as an important side event,” said Sophal.
Lam expressed his commitment to continue promoting French investment in Cambodia in the fields of agro-industry, automotive, electronics, healthcare and logistics. The French also pledged to encourage French companies to actively participate in the “Investment and Business Forum” to be held alongside the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host in the near future.
“I would like to congratulate Cambodia on hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit and pledge to continue encouraging high-potential French businesses to initiate and expand investment operations in Cambodia in existing sectors as well as in innovation-driven sectors, including agro-industry, accounting and finance, tourism, automotive and electronics, healthcare and logistics, in order to further promote economic growth in both countries,” he said.
Cambodia is scheduled to host the 20th Francophonie Summit, a summit of French-speaking countries, in November. The event will be attended by leaders of many countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), in 2025, total trade between Cambodia and France amounted to $568.74 million, up 11.7% from 2024. Cambodia exported $447.52 million to France, an increase of 12.5%, while imports totalled $121.21 million, up 9%. France is Cambodia’s 16th largest trading partner.
Economist Hong Vanak of the Royal Academy of Cambodia told The Post on February 25 that Cambodia–France relations date back nearly two centuries. Therefore, French investment in Cambodia would be highly beneficial. France is a major European economy, so if the French government encourages its investors to establish manufacturing plants in Cambodia for export to its own market or the broader European region, it could significantly contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth.
“Beyond its past colonial presence, France maintains excellent diplomatic and trade relations with Cambodia. As a developing country, we certainly want to see more French and other foreign investors directly investing in Cambodia,” he said.
From 1994 to mid-2025, the CDC approved a total of 44 investment projects from France, with a total investment capital of approximately $380 million, according to the CDC.
