Cambodia Prioritizes Skills, Education and Transport to Boost Competitiveness Amid Global Uncertainty

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 18, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia is placing skills development, education and transport infrastructure at the center of its economic strategy to strengthen competitiveness, attract investment and support long-term diversification, officials said Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth outlined the priorities during talks with Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific. He said investment in human capital and logistics is vital to raising productivity, facilitating trade and reinforcing Cambodia’s role in regional and global value chains.

Pornmoniroth thanked the World Bank for its continued support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development, while warning of challenges posed by global economic uncertainty, shifting trade policies, geopolitical tensions, the Cambodia–Thailand border situation and rising oil prices linked to Middle East conflicts.

“These external pressures have a direct impact on Cambodia as a small, open economy highly integrated into supply chains,” he said, adding that financial sector risks, diversification and job creation remain critical to sustaining growth.

The government is accelerating efforts to expand vocational training and improve access to finance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro businesses, to stimulate entrepreneurship and absorb youth and returning migrant workers into the labor market.

Jaramillo reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment under its Country Partnership Framework 2025–2029, which focuses on human capital, job creation, competitiveness and resilience for vulnerable groups. He pledged continued technical assistance and knowledge sharing to help Cambodia strengthen policies, build institutional capacity and advance toward its 2050 development vision.