On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a comprehensive address during a meeting with leaders of Informal Economic Associations at the OCIC, Phnom Penh. His remarks covered a range of topics, from safeguarding national interests amid international pressures to celebrating Cambodia’s industrial growth and reaffirming social protections for workers.
Protecting Cambodia’s Trade Interests Amid Global Challenges
Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the Royal Government’s commitment to protecting Cambodia’s interests, particularly by diversifying trade with other countries. He emphasised that even during the New Year holiday, the negotiating team with the United States worked without rest to protect Cambodia’s trade relations. He compared the government’s efforts to a mother raising her children — working honestly to create jobs for the people’s welfare. Despite external decisions beyond Cambodia’s control, he stressed that the government’s priority remains sustaining the nation’s progress for its citizens.
Samdech Thipadei highlighted that just 37 hours after the United States announced a tariff hike, the Royal Government responded with a policy solution, underscoring its proactive approach. He criticised those who attack the government without supporting Cambodian workers on international platforms, reiterating that protecting the livelihoods of the people remains the government’s foremost duty.
Advancements in Cambodian Manufacturing
The Prime Minister expressed pride in the growing capabilities of Cambodian workers. He noted that while Cambodia initially focused on garment manufacturing, the country has now expanded into producing electrical components and even automobiles. Samdech Thipadei personally inspected a “Made in Cambodia” car in Krakor district, Pursat province, which has been internationally recognised.
He further highlighted Cambodia’s ability to manufacture high-end jewellery, electrical appliances, and modern furniture, with some Cambodian-made products sold in Italian markets for tens of thousands of dollars. The Prime Minister called on workers’ unions to act professionally and responsibly, urging transparent and lawful resolution of labour disputes.
Supporting Female Workers and Expanding Social Security
Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that female workers are a top priority for the government. He detailed the cash subsidy program for pregnant workers, through which mothers receive 80,000 riels 14 times and 800,000 riels at childbirth, while mothers of twins receive 1.2 million riels. To date, approximately 330 billion riels have been spent on supporting mothers and their children up to the age of two.
The program also extends to women in prison, with the government planning to expand it further depending on budget availability. The Prime Minister also announced that an additional 1.2 million members have been registered with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) since the start of the seventh-mandate Royal Government, bringing total membership to over 3 million by March 2025. Family members of NSSF members are now eligible for NSSF cards as part of the expanded benefits.
Strengthening Investment and Employment
The Prime Minister reported strong investment figures for early 2025, with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) approving 172 investment projects worth a combined USD 2.5 billion, projected to create around 120,000 jobs. Six projects involved production expansions. He noted an increase in the workforce from approximately 1.81 million to 1.85 million across 45,255 factories and enterprises.
In response to unfounded claims of stagnant investment, Samdech Thipadei challenged critics to visit the investment sites and witness the growth firsthand. Chinese companies accounted for nearly 80% of total investment, and a 14% increase in total investment capital was recorded compared to the same period in 2024.
Commitment to Resilience and Growth
Reflecting on the challenges faced over the past two years, Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged the difficulties but affirmed that “whatever does not kill us will make us stronger.” He criticised the tendency of some commentators to highlight only failures while ignoring successes such as higher rice prices and increased tourist arrivals.
He urged the public to trust the government’s efforts, especially in light of external pressures like US-imposed tariffs. Cambodia, he affirmed, would not collapse under such challenges but would instead work harder to diversify its economy and expand exports to Europe and beyond.
Through his address, Prime Minister Hun Manet presented a clear picture of a government committed to protecting national interests, supporting its workers, enhancing industrial capabilities, attracting investment, and building resilience for Cambodia’s future.
