Prime Minister Hun Manet’s diplomatic and economic achievements have reinforced Cambodia’s presence on regional and global platforms, strengthening foreign relations and economic resilience. These accomplishments were highlighted during the 6th Media Forum, organized by the Cambodian Government Spokesperson Unit at the Office of the Council of Ministers.
Jean-François Tain, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized Cambodia’s evolving role in global affairs and its strategic economic direction. He noted that since October 2023, Prime Minister Hun Manet has engaged with 17 private sector leaders to enhance investment opportunities.
Addressing journalists, Tain outlined Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening foreign relations, fostering economic resilience, and enhancing its influence on regional and international platforms.
Economic Performance and Investment Growth
Despite global economic challenges, Cambodia maintained a strong growth trajectory, achieving a 6% GDP expansion in 2024. Tain attributed this success to targeted investment policies, a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI), and strengthened trade relations.
According to data from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), from November 2024 to January 2025, Cambodia approved 138 investment projects totaling approximately $2.18 billion. This reflects a 16.8% increase in FDI inflows and has generated over 13,000 jobs.
Strategic Diplomatic Engagements
Tain highlighted Prime Minister Hun Manet’s 17 high-level bilateral meetings, which have strengthened Cambodia’s trade, security, and economic cooperation with key partners. He also underscored Cambodia’s leadership in regional frameworks such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), which have facilitated greater economic integration and collaboration with neighboring countries.
Expanding Trade and Export Growth
Cambodia’s trade volume in 2024 saw a 15.66% year-on-year increase, with major exports including garments, agricultural products, and electronics. In January 2025 alone, trade volume increased by 23.56%, amounting to $5 billion.
Main export partners: United States, Vietnam, Japan, China, Canada. Key import sources: China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan.
Top exports: Garments, leather goods, footwear, rubber, machinery, electrical equipment, furniture, cereals, and fruits. Top imports: Petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, construction materials, vehicles, and spare parts.
Digital Transformation and Economic Diplomacy
Tain underscored the government’s digitalization efforts as key to economic growth, emphasizing “digital government, digital citizens, and digital business” as crucial policy components. The government has launched various initiatives such as the Cambodia e-Arrival and e-Visa systems to streamline trade and investment facilitation. The “cdcIPM” platform, introduced by the CDC, simplifies investment applications and regulatory processes.
Tourism Sector Resurgence
The government’s economic diplomacy has significantly boosted Cambodia’s tourism sector. Cambodia actively promotes tourism through international exhibitions, leadership engagements, and official visits abroad.
During Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to the Philippines (Feb 10-11), Cambodia and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation for 2025-2028, aimed at boosting travel between the two nations.
International tourist arrivals in 2024 reached 6.7 million, a 23% increase from 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. For comparison, in 2019, Cambodia welcomed 6.6 million tourists. In January 2025 alone, over 600,000 international tourists visited, marking a 13.3% increase year-on-year.
Cambodia’s Path to High-Income Status
Tain reinforced the government’s commitment to preserving national sovereignty while fostering international collaboration. He emphasized that Cambodia’s foreign policy prioritizes strategic partnerships that contribute to peace, stability, and economic growth.
With the country set to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2029, the government aims to maintain economic growth, create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve living standards.
“Our goal is to make Cambodia a high-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050,” Tain stated.
Minister Pen Bona echoed this vision, highlighting that Cambodia’s poverty rate has declined rapidly while maintaining high and stable economic growth over the past decade. GDP per capita has risen from $310 in 2000 to $2,713 in 2024.
Looking ahead, Cambodia will continue implementing economic reforms, promoting digital innovation, and expanding its diplomatic outreach to sustain its growth momentum and global presence.
