Cambodia Touts Infrastructure Gains, Investment Surge at Belt and Road Summit

HONG KONG (Sept.10, 2025) — Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol delivered a keynote address on Wednesday at the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, underscoring Cambodia’s strategic participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its role in driving infrastructure-led growth.

Speaking under the theme “Collaboration for Change – Shape a Shared Future,” Chanthol, who also serves as first vice president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, emphasized the initiative’s contribution to Cambodia’s economic and social development, particularly in strengthening transport infrastructure across land, air, and sea.

The summit, held Sept. 10–11, convened more than 6,000 participants from 70 countries, including senior government officials, business leaders, and international speakers. Organizers showcased over 290 investment projects and facilitated more than 800 business matching sessions.

Chanthol highlighted several flagship projects supported under the Belt and Road framework, including the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville expressway, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, Phnom Penh Techo International Airport, and the Techo Funan Canal.

He noted that Cambodia’s economy has seen robust growth across manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and services. The Council for the Development of Cambodia approved 491 investment projects in the first eight months of 2025, up from 414 in 2024—a surge attributed to investor confidence in the Cambodian government’s reform agenda.

Looking ahead, Chanthol said Cambodia’s 2050 vision focuses on human capital and sustainability, with efforts underway to diversify into high-value industries such as electronics, automotive, green energy, and digital technology.

He also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to regional integration through ASEAN and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, positioning the country as a contributor to long-term supply chain resilience and inclusive prosperity.

Quoting a Chinese proverb, Chanthol concluded: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”