Montreal / Phnom Penh, November 4, 2025 — YKK Canada Inc., a global leader in garment accessories and one of the world’s most recognised zipper manufacturers, has expressed strong interest in investing directly in Cambodia, following a high-level meeting with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
The meeting took place on October 31 at YKK’s manufacturing facility in Montreal, Canada, where Sun Chanthol, First Vice-Chairman of the CDC, met with Hugues Charbonneau, President of YKK Canada Inc. The discussion centred on YKK’s potential entry into Cambodia’s fast-expanding textile and garment accessories sector, one of the Kingdom’s largest and most competitive export industries.
Strengthening Cambodia–Canada Economic Ties
Chanthol is currently leading a Cambodian delegation to Canada to deepen bilateral economic relations and explore new trade and investment opportunities. Joining him were representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Cambodian Oknha Association, and the Honorary Consulate General of Cambodia in Montreal.
According to the CDC, the visit aimed to study YKK’s large-scale management systems and advanced production chain to assess the feasibility of establishing a manufacturing base in Cambodia. Such an investment would help strengthen the Kingdom’s garment and footwear supply chain, supporting local production of zippers, buttons, and fasteners that are currently imported.
Cambodia’s Competitive Edge for Manufacturing
During the discussions, Sun Chanthol emphasised the potential of Cambodia’s textile, garment, and travel-goods industries, which continue to attract global attention due to their rapid growth and access to major export markets.
“The Investment Law provides strong incentives for manufacturers of accessories and raw materials to invest in Cambodia,” Chanthol said. “An investment from YKK would not only meet domestic demand but also enhance Cambodia’s competitiveness in the global apparel export market.”
He added that Cambodia offers an investor-friendly environment, a young skilled workforce, stable macroeconomic policies, and preferential access to markets through ASEAN, RCEP, and various bilateral trade agreements, making it a strategic location for YKK’s regional operations.
YKK’s Response and Future Plans
YKK Canada President Hugues Charbonneau praised Cambodia’s rapid industrial development and expressed strong interest in the proposal.
“YKK Canada is always seeking opportunities to expand operations in regions with strong growth potential,” he said. “We are keen to conduct a detailed feasibility study on establishing zipper and garment-accessory manufacturing facilities in Cambodia in the near future.”
Such an investment would mark YKK’s first direct manufacturing footprint in the Kingdom and signal growing confidence among international manufacturers in Cambodia’s industrial and logistics ecosystem.
Expanding Trade Relations with Canada
Trade between Cambodia and Canada continues to rise sharply. According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade reached $1.02 billion between January and September 2025 — up 14.4% year-on-year. Cambodia’s exports to Canada totalled $972.9 million (up 14.6%), while imports were $52.5 million (up 11%).
The potential entry of YKK Canada Inc. could further strengthen trade and industrial cooperation between the two nations, diversify Cambodia’s export base, and generate new employment opportunities across the textile value chain.
