Cambodia registers $166 million in new investment projects in February

PHNOM PENH, March 12, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia approved 42 new investment projects worth about $166 million in February, expected to generate around 24,000 jobs, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) said Wednesday.

Of the total, 18 projects were registered by the CDC—nine inside Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and nine outside—while 24 were approved by provincial investment sub-committees.

The investments cover a wide range of manufacturing sectors, including garments, footwear, travel goods, cardboard and paper products, furniture, camping equipment, plywood, metal processing, plastics, chemicals, faucet components, solar panel parts and electrical equipment.

Officials said the figures highlight Cambodia’s continued appeal as a manufacturing hub.

Meanwhile, the United States remains Cambodia’s largest export market, with shipments rising nearly 40 percent in the first two months of 2026 to $2.26 billion, according to customs data. Total bilateral trade reached $2.34 billion over the same period.

Commerce Ministry spokesman Penn Sovicheat stressed the importance of continued access to the U.S. market for Cambodia’s export-driven economy. But economist Ky Sereyvath of the Royal Academy of Cambodia warned against overreliance on a single destination, urging diversification and stronger vocational training to boost competitiveness.

Cambodia’s main exports to the U.S. include garments, travel goods, bicycles and consumer products, while imports consist largely of vehicles, machinery, jewelry, cosmetics and electronics.