Phnom Penh, July 29 – Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, Cham Nimul, has called for more frequent and organised forums between Cambodian and Chinese investors to boost trade, strengthen business partnerships, and attract greater Chinese investment into the Kingdom. The appeal came as nine new business agreements were signed during the “Cambodia-China Industrial Park Promotion Forum” held at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh on July 28.
The forum was attended by high-level officials, including Zheng Yuandong, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Zheng Ling, Deputy Governor of Beihai City, Guangxi, along with government delegates, investors, and entrepreneurs from both nations.
Nine Deals Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties
The newly signed agreements cover key sectors such as renewable energy, garment manufacturing, processing and promotion of Cambodian exports to China, as well as initiatives to enhance tourism and cultural exchanges. These partnerships are expected to accelerate the development of Cambodia-China industrial parks and create a stronger foundation for long-term trade cooperation.
Minister Nimul praised the efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and Guangxi’s working group for their commitment to promoting industrial park development between the two countries. She noted that the forum reflects the ongoing collaboration under the October 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Beijing under the leadership of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Call for Regular Investor Engagement
Nimul emphasized the need for structured, frequent gatherings of Cambodian and Chinese businesses to explore opportunities, build trust, and increase foreign investment inflows.
“Cambodia has many potential sectors that can be integrated into China’s supply chain, including modern agriculture, food processing, automotive, electronics, and digital technology,” she said. “We strongly encourage both countries’ private sectors to fully leverage free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the upcoming upgraded ASEAN-China FTA, and the Cambodia-China Bilateral Free Trade Agreement.”
She revealed that the joint committee on Cambodia-China industrial parks is scheduled to meet for the second time in early September to refine action plans and further strengthen collaboration.
China Remains Cambodia’s Top Investor and Trade Partner
According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), 2024 witnessed a significant rise in approved investment projects, reaching 414 – a 54% increase from 2023. The total approved investment capital hit $6.9 billion, with nearly half (49.82%) coming from Chinese investors. Cambodian investors accounted for 33.81%, while others came from Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and the US.
Trade between Cambodia and China continues to grow, with bilateral trade in 2024 reaching $15.19 billion – a 23.8% increase compared to 2023. Cambodian exports to China totalled $1.75 billion (up 18.4%), while imports from China climbed 24.6% to $13.44 billion.
Cambodia’s overall trade with global partners reached $54.74 billion in 2024, up 16.9% from the previous year. Exports stood at $26.2 billion, while imports hit $28.54 billion, showing the country’s increasing integration into global supply chains.
Outlook for Cambodia-China Economic Cooperation
With the signing of the nine agreements and Cambodia’s push for more structured investor forums, both countries aim to solidify their partnership in trade, investment, and industrial development. The forums are expected to become a regular platform to attract new Chinese investments and promote Cambodian products and services in one of the world’s largest markets.
Minister Nimul concluded that Cambodia is committed to creating a conducive environment for investors and remains open to new collaborations that will drive industrial growth and deepen Cambodia-China economic relations.
Also read, Cambodia-China Trade Surges to $9.28 Billion in H1 2025
