Cambodia opens $300M WANLI tire plant, creating 600 jobs

SVAY RIENG, Cambodia, Jan 12, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia on Monday inaugurated a $300 million automobile tire factory in Svay Rieng province, marking a major boost to its fast growing manufacturing sector.

The plant, invested by WANLI Tire (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, is located inside the Xin Bavet Special Economic Zone in Chantrea district. Spanning 32 hectares, it is expected to create about 600 jobs for local workers.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who also serves as first vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, presided over the launch, which officials said reflected rising confidence from foreign investors.

Industry representatives said the project would strengthen Cambodia’s rubber value chain. Men Sopheak, president of the Rubber Development Association of Cambodia, noted that tire factories were increasing domestic demand for natural rubber.

“In the past, we exported raw rubber overseas. Now manufacturers are purchasing directly from local producers, allowing farmers to sell domestically while cutting transport costs,” he said.

In 2025, the CDC approved four tire manufacturing projects worth a combined $774 million in Svay Rieng and Preah Sihanouk provinces.

Cambodia earned more than $1.2 billion in tire export revenue in the first 11 months of 2025, up nearly 58 percent year on year, driven by surging demand for locally sourced rubber.