PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Cambodia has shattered its investment records, with the Council for the Development of Cambodia’s (CDC) Cambodian Investment Committee approving more than 600 investment projects in the first 11 months of 2025, according to a recent CDC press release. This marks a substantial 57% increase in approved projects compared to the same period in 2024, signaling robust investor confidence in the Kingdom’s economic climate.
$9.5 Billion Inflow and Massive Job Creation
Between January and November 2025, the CDC registered a total of 609 investment projects, including 237 within Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The total approved investment capital reached an impressive $9.5 billion, a 47% rise, or approximately $3 billion, from the previous year.
These projects are expected to generate roughly 426,000 new jobs for Cambodian citizens, a key benefit highlighted by the government.
Top Investment Destinations
Kampong Speu and Svay Rieng provinces emerged as the top destinations for new investment, securing the highest number of approved projects.
- Kampong Speu: 136 projects
- Svay Rieng: 135 projects
- Phnom Penh: 75 projects
Other significant provincial destinations included Takeo (60), Koh Kong (50), Preah Sihanouk (50), Kandal (48), and Kampong Chhnang (21).
China Dominates Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) continues to be heavily influenced by Asian powerhouse China, which accounted for more than half of the total investment capital.
- China: 52.62%
- Cambodia (Domestic): 32.49%
- Singapore: 4.49%
Other notable investing nations included Vietnam, the British Virgin Islands, the UK, and the US.
Global Recognition and Economic Confidence
Speaking at the inauguration of the Cambodia Trade Expo 2025 on December 4, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the CDC, confirmed the record-breaking numbers. He noted that the 2025 approvals surpassed the previous record set in 2024, when the CDC approved 414 projects.
“Cambodia’s investment climate has gained global recognition for two consecutive years,” Chanthol stated, emphasizing the success of the government’s efforts in trade negotiations and investment promotion.
Economist Hong Vanak of the Royal Academy of Cambodia attributed the surge to strong investor confidence, noting Cambodia’s political stability, strong economic growth, and numerous bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. He added that recent improvements to investment laws and transport infrastructure are acting as “additional magnets” for global capital.
Cambodia’s improved standing in the global investment landscape is further cemented by its rankings:
- It was ranked at the top of the FDI Standouts Watchlist in 2024 by FDI Intelligence.
- In 2025, it continued to rank No. 1 in the Asia-Pacific region and No. 9 globally in the Greenfield FDI Performance Index.
In November 2025 alone, 34 projects were registered, totaling approximately $262 million in capital and expected to create 24,000 jobs, capping off a monumental year for the Kingdom’s investment sector.
