Cambodia is strengthening its position as an emerging agrifood investment hub, offering extensive incentives and streamlined support mechanisms to both local and foreign investors. The updates were highlighted by Suon Sophal, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Board under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), during the Cambodia Agriculture Forum and Expo (CAFE25) held on November 13 at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center.
The forum was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in partnership with FAO, development agencies and multiple government institutions. The event gathered senior officials including Ouk Rabun, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Hem Vandy, Minister of Industry, Technology and Innovation, Australian Ambassador Derek Yip, private-sector leaders and more than 1,200 Cambodian farmers.
During a roundtable on rising domestic and export market opportunities, Sophal outlined Cambodia’s investment landscape, key incentives under the Investment Law and expanding opportunities in sustainable agrifood sectors. He noted that Cambodia’s Government–Private Sector Forum has become a highly effective mechanism for maintaining investor confidence and strengthening cooperation with major partners from China, Japan, South Korea, the US and Europe.
Sophal underscored several support mechanisms offered by the CDC, including country-specific and sector-specific investment desks and the Cambodia Investment Project Management System, which accelerates project registration. He also encouraged producers to adopt the Supply Chain Traceability Data System (SD2) to strengthen transparency and improve links with international buyers.
Uon Silot, president of the Cambodia Cashew Federation, reaffirmed that Cambodia’s investment policy provides long-term advantages. Under the current Investment Law, investors in agriculture, agro-processing and agri-food production are eligible for profit tax exemptions of up to nine years, followed by partial tax reductions for six more years — offering up to 15 years of tax incentives. Additional benefits include exemptions on import duties for machinery, fertilisers, seeds and processing equipment. Direct purchases from farmers are also exempt from VAT and withholding tax, strengthening the farm-to-factory supply chain.
Silot also confirmed the government’s plan to establish a 400-hectare Cashew Industrial Park (CIP) in Kampong Thom province. The project will allocate land for cashew processing plants and by-product manufacturing, supported by improved infrastructure and QIP+ (Qualified Investment Project Plus) incentives.
He expressed confidence that the CIP and the QIP+ package will accelerate Cambodia’s move from exporting raw cashew nuts to producing high-value finished goods, boosting competitiveness in regional and global agri-food markets.
This development reinforces Cambodia’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading agrifood investment destination within ASEAN, underpinned by investor-friendly policies, streamlined services and a rapidly growing export ecosystem.
Also read, Cambodia Agriculture Export Surges Past $4 Billion in First 10 Months of 2025
