The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has announced that it approved 113 new investment and expansion projects with combined registered capital of about 1.1 billion USD in the first half of this year, of which nearly 65% came from Chinese investors.
Cambodian officials and foreign investors visit in Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province in April. (Photo: phnompenhpost.com)
Phnom Penh (VNA)🌱 - The Council for theDevelopment of Cambodia (CDC) has announced that it approved 113 new investmentand expansion projects with combined registered capital of about 1.1 billionUSD in the first half of this year, of which nearly 65% came from Chinese investors.
According to CDC’s report, local investors accountedfor nearly 20% of the registered capital in the six-month period. Next on thelist of nationalities were Vietnam (6.64%), Seychelles (3.31%), Thailand(1.77%), the Republic of Korea (1.70%), Samoa (0.60%), the US (0.49%), Singapore(0.18%) and Sweden (0.07%). These undertakings are expected to generate about122,000 new jobs, the report said, adding that the industrial sector accountedfor the most projects, at 102 (90.27%), followed by agriculture andagro-industry (7), tourism (3), and infrastructure (1). Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) economist Ky Sereyvathacknowledged that the key factors shaping the kingdom’s investment appealinclude its bilateral and regional trade deals as well as the more recentchanges to its legal investment framework, which he stressed are favourableacross a range of sectors. He said that the country is receiving moremedium-sized investments, necessitating government initiatives to promote small-and medium-sized enterprises, and encourage these investments and turn the sectortoward exports. China continues to be Cambodia’s top investor,primarily in the processing sector, largely due to the availability of cheaperlabour, he said. On July 11, the CDC approved fournew investment projects in Preah Sihanouk and Kampong Speu provinces and the capitalof Phnmom Penh with a total investment capital of 26.7 million USD./.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on September 12 to enhance cooperation in fighting COVID-19, boost bilateral trade and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
China and Cambodia will step up the implementation of their free trade agreement (FTA), which took effect from January 1, to benefit businesses and people of both countries, according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce of China.
Cambodia raked in 88.9 million USD from exporting 138,364 tonnes of milled rice to China in the first half of 2023, according to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF).
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Cambodian officials and foreign investors visit in Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province in April. (Photo: phnompenhpost.com) 
