Cambodia attracts $4.7 billion in new investment in first half of 2026, creating 160,000 jobs

PHNOM PENH, July 14, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia approved 276 investment projects worth nearly US$4.7 billion in the first six months of 2026, reinforcing strong investor confidence and laying the foundation for about 160,000 new jobs, official data showed Tuesday.

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and Provincial-Municipal Investment Sub-Committees (PMISCs) cleared the projects between January and June. Of these, the CDC approved 181 projects valued at US$4.4 billion, expected to generate more than 120,000 jobs. They included 105 projects outside Special Economic Zones (SEZs), seven new SEZ developments and 69 projects within existing zones.

PMISCs registered 95 projects worth US$291 million, projected to create around 35,000 jobs.

Among the standout approvals were a US$40 million monkey breeding and farming project in Kampong Thom province, a US$20 million fruit plantation and agro-processing venture in Battambang, and a US$14 million expansion of a fruit processing plant in Kampong Speu that will handle mangoes, cashew nuts, bananas and jackfruit, creating more than 2,200 jobs.

The momentum continued in May alone, when 37 new projects worth US$570 million were approved, with potential to add 26,000 jobs.

Officials said the strong first-half performance reflects sustained investor confidence in Cambodia’s manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and digital economy. The figures build on a record-setting 2025, when the CDC cleared 630 projects valued at more than US$10 billion.

The government has sought to diversify investment flows, encouraging projects that expand agro-processing, boost exports and strengthen industrial capacity. Analysts say the latest approvals underline Cambodia’s growing role as a regional hub for production and trade, supported by infrastructure upgrades and expanding SEZ networks.