Cambodia touts investment hub role as CEO Summit opens in Phnom Penh

PHNOM PENH, Jan 22, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia today stands at an important stage of its economic transformation,” Industry Minister Hem Vanndy said Tuesday as he opened the Annual CEO & Entrepreneur Summit 2026 in Phnom Penh.

Vanndy told delegates that Cambodia is positioning itself as a competitive manufacturing and investment hub amid regional supply-chain shifts, with a focus on resilience, sustainability and higher-value production. He said the country’s trajectory is guided by political stability, sound macroeconomic management and a strong commitment to private-sector-led growth under the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.

In 2025, Cambodia approved more than $10 billion in investment capital – the highest level ever recorded – reflecting growing investor confidence in reform momentum and long-term prospects. By December, the country counted 3,083 factories nationwide, an increase of 658 year-on-year, spanning garments, agro-processing, electronics, construction materials and emerging technology-enabled manufacturing.

Vanndy also highlighted clean energy as a new production strength, noting that more than 62 percent of Cambodia’s electricity now comes from renewable sources. “For manufacturers, this transition is not only about environmental responsibility – it directly supports cost stability, supply-chain resilience, ESG compliance and buyer requirements,” he said.

He invited foreign investors to form concrete partnerships with Cambodian enterprises, particularly SMEs ready to scale and integrate into regional and global value chains.