A top representative of Australia-based CIMIC Group has praised Cambodia’s investment environment and workforce, underscoring the growing confidence of major international firms in the Kingdom’s economic direction.
Robert Seidler, board member of CIMIC Group, expressed strong satisfaction with Cambodia’s investment climate during a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol on August 25 in Sydney. The meeting was part of an ongoing Investment Roadshow across Australia, led by Chanthol in his role as First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
Seidler highlighted that CIMIC’s business activities in Cambodia were progressing well and that the company plans to expand its investments in the country. “Our company is pleased with the improvements in Cambodia’s investment environment, which has made it easier to invest and do business. Cambodia’s labour force is highly competitive, proactive, and open to learning new skills,” he said. He singled out the Cambodian workforce for particular praise, describing it as “motivated and easily trainable.”
The meeting was also attended by the Cambodian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, senior officials from Cambodian ministries, and private sector representatives. Derel Yip, the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, was also present, underlining bilateral support for the roadshow.
Deputy Prime Minister Chanthol briefed the gathering on Cambodia’s pro-investment policies and outlined reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, boosting infrastructure, and enhancing human capital. He welcomed CIMIC’s interest in expanding operations and reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for foreign investors.
Also on the morning of August 25, Chanthol met with Morgan Hart, CEO of Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) Ltd, and John Hopkins, Executive Director of Export Finance Australia (EFA). These high-level engagements reflect the Cambodian delegation’s objective to deepen strategic economic partnerships and facilitate new investment flows from Australia into key Cambodian sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and finance.
The roadshow is supported by the Australian Embassy in Cambodia and the Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED). It forms part of Cambodia’s broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by showcasing its economic potential, young workforce, and investor-friendly regulatory landscape.
Lim Heng, Vice-President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), emphasized Australia’s importance as a priority market for Cambodian investment promotion. “We expect that more Australian investors will enter Cambodia. Currently, they are investing in sectors like mining, industry, and agriculture,” he said. The CCC opened representative offices in both Melbourne and Sydney in 2023 to enhance investor outreach and facilitate smoother business connections.
According to data from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade between Cambodia and Australia reached $161.25 million in the first half of 2025 — a 15.7% increase over the same period in 2024. Cambodian exports accounted for $111.95 million (up 8.9%), while imports from Australia totaled $49.3 million (a sharp rise of 46.8%).
As global competition for investment intensifies, Cambodia is positioning itself as a dynamic and stable destination for Australian businesses seeking growth opportunities in Southeast Asia. The roadshow has reaffirmed mutual commitment to strengthening economic ties and expanding collaboration in high-potential sectors. With praise from leading corporates like CIMIC Group, Cambodia’s rising status as an investment hub continues to gain traction on the global stage.
Also read, Cambodia’s Industrial Rise: Kampong Speu Emerges as Key Hub with New Chinese Investments
