Phnom Penh – Cambodia has called on France to play a greater role in promoting investment opportunities and encouraging French businesses to explore the Kingdom’s growing market potential. At present, just over 40 French foreign direct investment (FDI) projects are operating in Cambodia.
The proposal was raised by Nut Unvoanra, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), during a working meeting with a delegation from the France-Cambodia Business Council of MEDEF International.
The French delegation was led by François Corbin, Chairman of the France-Cambodia Business Council and Special Envoy of the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs for economic relations with ASEAN. The meeting, held at CDC headquarters, sought to identify ways to strengthen and expand bilateral investment cooperation.
Strengthening Longstanding Ties
Unvoanra welcomed the French delegation, noting that the visit reflected France’s commitment to learning more about Cambodia’s socio-economic development progress. He highlighted that the talks followed up on key dialogues held during Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to France in January 2024 and subsequent bilateral discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Corbin in November 2024.
“From 1994 to the present, the CDC has approved 44 investment projects from France, with a total capital investment of approximately $380 million,” Unvoanra said. “French investments have brought technology, knowledge transfer, innovation, skills and an entrepreneurial spirit to Cambodia. I remain optimistic that France will continue to support the Cambodian government by promoting awareness of the investment climate and competitiveness, and in encouraging more French businesses to explore opportunities here in the near future.”
He added that Cambodia and France enjoy a longstanding bilateral relationship that has been progressing in all areas, particularly in fostering private sector connectivity and investment partnerships.
France Recognises Cambodia’s Growth
Corbin praised Cambodia’s rapid development and commended the Cambodian government’s long-term vision. Discussions during the meeting covered several priority sectors, including civil aviation, logistics, energy and wholesale-retail trade.
The CDC emphasised that greater French participation in these areas could unlock new avenues for cooperation, building on existing trade and investment foundations.
Rising Bilateral Trade
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), France is Cambodia’s 16th largest trading partner. From January to August 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $384.99 million – an 11.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Cambodian exports to France amounted to $305.89 million, up 12 percent, while imports from France rose 9.2 percent to $79.1 million.
Expert Views
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, stressed that increased French investment would be highly beneficial.
“France is a major developed economy in Europe, and if the French government could encourage its investors to open manufacturing facilities in Cambodia to serve European markets, it would make a significant contribution to Cambodia’s economic growth,” he said.
He added that Cambodia welcomes investment from all directions, particularly from countries with long-standing ties such as France. With Cambodian products increasingly present in global markets, Vanak believes the timing is right for France to expand its footprint in the Kingdom.
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