Economists predict that the export of goods produced in Cambodia will increase further in the future, as by the end of 2025 Cambodia had nearly 60 operational special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parks, representing an increase of more than 10% over 2024. The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation reported that by the end of 2025 Cambodia had a total of 57 SEZs and industrial parks with operating factories, a 14% increase from 50 in 2024. Among them, 34 are SEZs, an increase of four from the previous year. Of the total, 12 are located in Svay Rieng…
Author: Hin Pisei
US reciprocal tariffs, set at 19% by US President Donald Trump on all Cambodian imports, will be removed following a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court. Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), explained the importance of the ruling to the media, during the first day of the March 4 and 5 ASEAN-Cambodia Business Summit. He noted that the tariffs, which were announced in early April 2025 and took effect on August 1, have now been declared unlawful, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). “On February 20, the US Supreme Court…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has explained how Cambodia is proactively promoting trade with key partners, particularly the US and China. At the same time, Cambodia is negotiating to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), in order to diversify its export markets. He shared the strategy during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-Cambodia Business Summit 2026, held in Phnom Penh on the morning of March 4, and themed “Transforming ASEAN: Innovation, Integration, and Industrial Evolution”. The summit was attended by senior dignitaries, ambassadors, representatives of relevant institutions, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and major international companies operating…
A Malaysian business delegation has requested the support of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism with the organisation of three major events, each of them a first in the Kingdom The “The Kingdom’s Grand Prix & Gala” will bring three world-class events, including a music festival and two major motorsport events, in the near future. International tourist arrivals to the country fell by nearly 20% in 2025. Michael Cheow, chairman of C. Michael International Sdn. Bhd., and a Malaysian delegation met with Minister of Tourism Huot Hak at the tourism ministry headquarters on March 2. Cheow welcomed recommendations from the Cambodian authorities…
The exchange rate of the Cambodian riel against the US dollar maintained better stability in 2025 than the past few years, appreciating by more than 1% compared to 2024, according to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). A recent NBC report stated that in 2025, the riel–US dollar exchange rate remained relatively stable, with an average rate of 4,011 riel per dollar. Moreover, it appreciated by an average of 1.5% over 2024 (4,071 riel per dollar), by 2.2% compared to the period during and after the Covid-19 crisis from 2020–2023 (4,101 riel per dollar), and by 1.1% compared to the…
The current armed conflict in the Middle East, which has led to the temporary closure of airspace at major airports in the Gulf region, has resulted in the temporary suspension of connections between Cambodian international airports and several in the Middle East. According to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), Cambodia operates 52 Middle East-linked flights per week. 46 flights per week originate from Techo International Airport, including eight cargo flights, while six connect with Siem Reap’s Angkor International Airport. Airlines currently providing direct or indirect connections between Cambodia and the Middle East include Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad…
Global geopolitical tensions and the negative impacts caused by Thai aggression along the Cambodia–Thailand border have led to a noticeable decline in the number of international tourists visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park in early 2026. According to Angkor Enterprise, between January and February, a total of 188,885 tickets to the park were sold, a 32.45% fall from the same period in 2025. Revenue from ticket sales was $9.17 million, down 30.32%. In addition to Angkor tickets, the enterprise also earned revenue from four other sources. Koh Ker Temple generated $65,295, Beng Mealea Temple $42,650, Kbal Spean $1,770 and Chong Kneas…
Despite Cambodia’s civil aviation sector facing numerous challenges in 2025, state revenue collection did not decline, reaching more than $50 million—an increase over 2024. The 2025 annual performance report and 2026 action plan of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), released February 27, showed that in 2025, the SSCA collected a total of $51.26 million in state revenue, equivalent to 101.32% of the target set in the 2024 Finance Law. This growth reflected the effectiveness of state revenue mobilisation as well as the implementation of efficient measures, it added. The report also noted that in 2025, Cambodia’s civil aviation…
Five of Cambodia’s outstanding tourist cities have been recognised with awards at the 5th ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard competition for 2026–2028. Clean cities are valuable tourism products that offer memorable experiences for guests, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. The five Cambodian cities are Sihanoukville, Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Stueng Saen. In a February 27 message to mark the 13th National Clean City Day 2026, themed “Solidarity for Clean Cities”, Manet noted that Cambodia is currently moving forward with pride, while maintaining peace, security, political stability, public order, macroeconomic stability, social harmony, improved infrastructure and development across…
Uncertainty in global economic growth, protectionist policies by major powers and Thailand’s cross-border military aggression all played a major role in the disappointing recovery of Cambodia’s construction and real estate sectors in 2025, according to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). According to the bank, the Kingdom’s construction sector grew by an estimated 0.4% from 2024, while in 2024 the sector grew by about 1.2% from the previous year. The low growth was also attributed to weak demand and an oversupply in the market. At the same time, foreign direct investment (FDI) into construction was estimated to have fallen by…