Property News Roundup 8th September 2025
We’re delighted to share the weekly news highlights below.
1. China’s most famous real estate company Evergrande is facing delisting from the Hong Kong stock market
China Evergrande Group, once the country’s largest property developer, is being delisted from the Hong Kong stock exchange due to its massive $300 billion debt, marking a major moment in China’s deepening property crisis. Once a key part of China’s economy, Evergrande’s collapse highlights the risks of excessive borrowing. With its stock now nearly worthless and minimal progress in repaying debt or completing projects, recovery seems unlikely, casting doubt on the future of China’s real estate sector.
01 September 2025 | Source: Construction & Property | Link: https://tinyurl.com/54mn8em6
2. China’s Factory Activity Contracts in August Despite Extension of Trade Truce with US
China’s manufacturing activity slightly improved in August, with the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rising from 49.3 to 49.4, showing a slower pace of decline but still signaling contraction. While some indicators like new orders and raw material inventory improved, employment weakened. Ongoing uncertainties, including U.S. trade tensions, a struggling property sector, rising unemployment, and severe flooding, continue to pressure the economy. Despite this, officials noted modest growth in both manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs, suggesting improving economic sentiment. Meanwhile, China and the U.S. resumed trade discussions aimed at easing tensions and enhancing cooperation.
01 September 2025 | Source: Kiri Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/382drr32
3. Xi Jinping Boulevard Closed for Three Years for Mekong Bridge Construction
Xi Jinping Boulevard in Phnom Penh has been closed from September 1, 2025, until February 1, 2028, to allow for the construction of a major 3.7km bridge across the Mekong River, connecting the capital with Kandal province. The bridge, part of the Dei Edth-Thma Kor project, aims to improve transportation and economic links between the city’s south and east and the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway. Authorities have issued traffic diversions for light and heavy vehicles and urge public cooperation during the three-year closure.
02 September, 2025 | Source: Kiri Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/yc68p95n
4. Govt greenlights new Ratanakiri airport project
The Cambodian government has granted in-principle approval for the development of a new airport on nearly 2,000 hectares in Lumphat District, Ratanakiri province, as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative. The project aims to boost tourism, attract investment, and create local job opportunities, according to provincial officials. This marks the initial step in a broader infrastructure strategy outlined in the national master plan, which includes similar projects like the Mondulkiri airport. The move comes amid rising air travel demand, with Cambodia recording 4.08 million air passengers in the first seven months of 2025, up 16% year-on-year.
04 September, 2025 | Source: Khmer Times | Link: https://tinyurl.com/2sayru8f
5. Major Chinese tourism enterprises interested in Kingdom’s tourism potential
Ten major Chinese tourism companies have shown strong interest in investing in and promoting Cambodia as a travel destination, following a high-level meeting with Cambodia’s tourism minister during the SCO Summit in China. As 2025 marks the “Cambodia-China Tourism Year,” both sides agreed to boost cooperation through new tour packages, more direct flights, and joint promotional efforts. Cambodia highlighted its safety, cultural richness, and government incentives to attract Chinese visitors. This comes as Chinese tourist arrivals surged by 48.2% in the first seven months of 2025, reinforcing China’s role as a key market for Cambodia’s growing tourism sector.
02 September, 2025 | Source: Phnom Penh Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/3xzje9x5
6. Finance ministry: ‘Cambodia’s public debt remains manageable’
As of mid-2025, Cambodia’s public debt stood at approximately $12.67 billion—around 25.5% of its estimated GDP—an amount deemed sustainable and low-risk by Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth. Of this, 99% was external debt, primarily from bilateral and multilateral sources. New concessional loan agreements totaled nearly $200 million in the first half of 2025, marking a 37% decrease from the same period in 2024. All new borrowing came from multilateral partners, aimed at funding priority development projects. Despite a 29% rise in debt service payments, officials affirm the country’s debt remains well-managed under prudent fiscal policies.
03 September, 2025 | Source: Phnom Penh Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/2j9fxzj8
7. Keepin’ it riel: Cambodian currency listed on Australian currency board
The Cambodian riel has been officially listed on currency exchange boards in Melbourne, Australia, through a partnership between the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and UK-based Travelex, marking a significant step in boosting the riel’s international recognition. This move facilitates easier currency exchange for travelers between Cambodia and Australia and reflects growing global confidence in the riel, supported by Cambodia’s stable economy and political climate.
03 September, 2025 | Source: Phnom Penh Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/2td5e3hb
8. IMF projects economic growth to slow for rest of year, calls for specific action
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded Cambodia’s 2025 economic growth forecast to 4.8%, aligning with the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s recent revision to 5.0%, amid rising trade policy uncertainties, border tensions with Thailand, and declining remittance inflows. While Cambodia saw strong 6% growth in 2024 driven by exports and tourism, the IMF warned of downside risks, including financial sector vulnerabilities with rising non-performing loans. It urged structural reforms to boost productivity, improve governance, and diversify the economy ahead of Cambodia’s 2029 graduation from Least Developed Country status.
04 September, 2025 | Source: Phnom Penh Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/jv7v7d8
9. All signs point to a recovery firmly taking hold in Hong Kong’s housing market
Hong Kong’s residential property market showed continued signs of recovery in August, with home sales exceeding 5,000 for the sixth straight month, reaching 5,291 transactions—up 45% year-on-year despite an 8.2% dip from July. Analysts credit rising rents, reduced stamp duties on lower-priced homes, and a strong stock market for improved sentiment. Hopes for upcoming U.S. interest rate cuts could further ease mortgage pressure. Total property transactions, including commercial spaces, reached 6,462 last month, with values up 39% year-on-year. Experts predict further growth in September, signaling the market may have bottomed out.
05 September, 2025 | Source: South China Morning Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/rcajz5bd
10. Nham24 To Shutdown After 10 Years of Operation End of Sept
Cambodian food and e-commerce platform Nham24 will officially shut down on September 30, 2025, following its acquisition by Southeast Asian super app Grab in late 2024. Customers and riders with remaining balances have been urged to withdraw funds before the closure. Founded in 2016 by Borima Chann, Nham24 became a leading platform with over one million users. Grab has since integrated Nham24 into its ecosystem, with consenting users now able to access their accounts and favorite merchants within the Grab app, marked by a familiar Nham24 icon and supported by the original team.
04 September, 2025 | Source: Kiri Post | Link: https://tinyurl.com/w27m4wwh