China’s ICBC Plans Joint Green Financing With Cambodia to Boost Agro-Processing Industry

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 26, 2025) — The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s Phnom Penh branch is preparing to partner with Cambodia’s Agricultural and Rural Development Bank to launch joint financing initiatives targeting green industries and agro-processing enterprises. 

The plan was discussed during a Nov. 20 meeting between Kao Thach, CEO of ARDB, and Lin Shiqiang, general manager of ICBC Phnom Penh. 

ARDB said the collaboration will focus on mobilizing green financing and expanding capital support for Cambodia’s growing agricultural processing sector — a priority for the government as it seeks to reduce reliance on imported food products and strengthen domestic manufacturing. 

“This joint financing initiative will prioritize green businesses and agro-processing,” Thach said. “ICBC has shown strong interest in green credit and agricultural development, especially in food processing. I have requested ICBC to help encourage more Chinese investors to enter Cambodia’s food-processing sector, as more Cambodians are now shifting toward domestically made products.” 

The discussion also underscored the long-standing relationship between ARDB and ICBC, one of China’s largest state-owned banks. ARDB continues to expand cooperation with Chinese financial institutions operating in Phnom Penh, aiming to attract greater investment into Cambodia’s agricultural modernization and value-added production.