Japanese delegation seek investment opportunities in Cambodia
Japanese delegation seek investment opportunities in Cambodia
A Japanese business delegation representing around 40 companies has expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Cambodian government, which continually is working to build confidence in investors from all over the world.
In the first two months of 2025, around 110 investment projects have been approved by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
CDC first vice-president Sun Chanthol met with the Japanese delegation, led by Wakabayashi Kohei, head of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Phnom Penh office, at the CDC headquarters on the morning of March 5.
Chanthol informed the delegation about the Cambodian government’s policies on attracting investment and boosting the economic transformation to achieve Cambodia’s Vision 2050.
He also highlighted the mission and vision of the CDC as the key government authority for managing private investments and special economic zones.
Chanthol explained that the Kingdom is an attractive location for investors due to its political stability, favourable macroeconomic environment, a young labour force open to new training and government support for the private sector’s growth through public-private partnership platforms.
He noted that that Cambodia also benefits from flexible and favourable investment laws, well-developed transportation infrastructure and strategic geographic positioning, making it an ideal hub for regional economic integration.
He also mentioned construction of the Funan Techo Canal, which is expected to transform Cambodia’s maritime shipping and transportation infrastructure.
The CDC vice-chairman drew the delegation’s attention to priority investment areas such as industrial factories, infrastructure development, agriculture and agro-industry, green energy, education and training, special economic zones, SMEs and various service industries.
In response, the Japanese business delegation commended the Cambodian government for its facilitation and support for investors.
On March 4, the delegation held a business matching event with Cambodian investors.
The event was attended by Vongsey Vissoth, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Japanese ambassador Ueno Atsushi, Mai Kalyan, chairman of the Cambodia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee (CJBC) and Fukuhara Koji, chairman of the Japan Business Association in Cambodia (JBAC).
Vissoth emphasised the importance of business matching in strengthening trade relations between Cambodia and Japan. Japan has become a vital trading partner for Cambodia, he noted.
“Over the past four decades, under the Cambodia-Japan cooperation framework, particularly through the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), the government of Japan has played a significant role in building the infrastructure necessary for Cambodia’s socio-economic development, including in education, law and justice, governance and public health,” he said.
According to the CDC, a total of 414 investment projects were approved in 2024, the highest number in the last 30 years. In the first two months of 2025, more than 110 projects were approved.
The council announced that these figures demonstrate the effectiveness of investment laws and the government’s policies in supporting investment in Cambodia, showing the government’s strong commitment to the private sector as a key driver of national economic growth.
A Ministry of Commerce report shared that from January to November 2024, 88 Japanese companies/enterprises registered in Cambodia, an increase of 20.55% compared to the same period in 2023.
Source: ANN