KUALA LUMPUR — On May 27, 2025, following the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet held discussions with Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin, Executive Chairman and CEO of MMAG Holdings Berhad, regarding expanded investments in Cambodia’s logistics and technology sectors.
During their meeting, Abu Hanifah expressed MMAG Holdings Berhad’s continued interest in Cambodia, where the company already operates logistics services at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. He outlined the company’s vision to strengthen its presence through further investment in digital security solutions and expanded logistics infrastructure.
MMAG Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian-based publicly listed company offering end-to-end logistics and technology services, including warehousing, e-commerce solutions, inventory management, packaging, and last-mile delivery. The CEO noted the firm’s active operations across Southeast Asia, including its current footprint in Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the company’s investment interest and highlighted Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to develop a robust logistics sector. He emphasised infrastructure initiatives such as the expansion of the Sihanoukville deep-sea port into a regional logistics hub, along with large-scale investments in airport upgrades and road networks. He also pointed to policy measures supporting foreign investment in logistics, especially within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) tailored to specific industries and countries.
“The digital sector is receiving focused attention from the seventh-mandate government and is considered a priority for future growth,” the Prime Minister noted in a social media post on the same day.
Manet encouraged MMAG Holdings and other investors to actively engage with Cambodian ministries and institutions to explore concrete business opportunities, reaffirming the Royal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive and streamlined investment environment.
Cambodia and Malaysia have taken key steps to deepen economic ties. A Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between the two nations, implemented in 2021, facilitates smoother cross-border investment. Malaysia is one of 11 countries with a DTA with Cambodia, alongside Thailand, Singapore, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Macau, and Turkey.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade between Cambodia and Malaysia reached $865.52 million in 2024, a 36.9% increase over the previous year. Cambodia’s exports to Malaysia rose by 40.3% to $147.39 million, while imports from Malaysia increased by 36.2% to $718.13 million.
The upward trajectory has continued into 2025. In the first four months of the year, total trade between the two nations stood at $353.17 million, representing a 33.5% year-on-year increase. Cambodian exports grew 6% to $45.92 million, and imports from Malaysia climbed 38.9% to $307.25 million.
Economist Hong Vanak of the Royal Academy of Cambodia remarked on May 28 that close economic cooperation between Cambodia and Malaysia has long been a feature of ASEAN integration. He noted that Malaysian investors continue to show confidence in the Cambodian market, driven by favourable investment laws, strategic geography, and strong access to international markets.
“Political stability, sustained economic growth, and investor-friendly regulations have made Cambodia an increasingly attractive destination for Malaysian capital across multiple sectors,” Vanak said.
As Cambodia deepens its engagement with regional investors, partnerships with companies like MMAG Holdings Berhad are expected to play a growing role in advancing the Kingdom’s digital and logistics capabilities, while reinforcing ASEAN economic integration.
