Property News Roundup 19th January 2026
We’re delighted to share the weekly news highlights below:
1. Massive Industrial Expansion Set for Kampong Speu as Chinese Firm Proposes New Special Economic Zone
A significant industrial expansion is planned in Kampong Speu Province, following a proposal by a Chinese investor to develop a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) covering approximately 455 hectares in Phnom Sruoch District. The project has been reviewed by the Cambodia Investment Board under the Council for the Development of Cambodia, indicating strong government support for industrial development outside Cambodia’s primary urban centres.
The proposed SEZ is intended to attract foreign direct investment, expand manufacturing capacity, and generate employment opportunities, while providing modern infrastructure and a streamlined regulatory environment for investors. The development is expected to strengthen Cambodia’s export-oriented industries and support supply chain diversification.
This initiative aligns with the government’s broader industrial development strategy, which emphasizes decentralization, regional economic growth, and enhanced competitiveness. If approved, the Kampong Speu SEZ would further reinforce the province’s position as an emerging industrial and logistics hub, benefiting from improving connectivity to Phnom Penh and key national transport corridors.
Date: January 12th, 2026, |Construction and Property| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/zmj2esfn
2. More Cambodian products reach supermarkets worldwide
Cambodian agricultural and food products are gaining increased global supermarket presence, with more than 22,000 retail outlets and mini-marts across Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union now carrying made-in-Cambodia goods. This expansion follows coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Commerce, private sector producers, and international partners to facilitate export agreements, memoranda of understanding, and buyer connections. A range of Cambodian products—such as dried mango, cashew nuts, fragrant rice, and other fruits—have been exported and are now sold in major foreign supermarket chains, including large convenience store networks. Markets like Malaysia have shown strong demand for dried mango and cashew nuts, while Japan has ordered key rice varieties for distribution across thousands of outlets. Trade agreements with China cover agricultural products valued at over US$600 million, and export service centres have been established to support private companies in navigating quality standards and market requirements. This trend reflects growing international interest in Cambodian produce and agricultural diversification
Date: January 12th, 2026, |Khmer Time\ Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/4f453vex
3. Cambodia-China trade hit over $19B in 2025
In 2025, bilateral trade between Cambodia and China surged to a record level of approximately US$19.7 billion, representing a near 30 percent year-on-year increase compared with the previous year. This substantial growth was driven primarily by a sharp rise in Cambodian imports from China, which jumped by more than 34 percent to over US$18 billion, while exports to China recorded a slight decline. China continues to be Cambodia’s largest trading partner, accounting for around 30 percent of the kingdom’s total international trade volume. Key imported goods from China include machinery, electronics, construction materials, and raw inputs critical for Cambodia’s manufacturing and export sectors, whereas Cambodian exports to China consist of agricultural products, textiles, and light manufactured goods. The growing trade relationship reflects deepening economic cooperation and integration, supported by free trade agreements and regional frameworks that facilitate cross-border commerce and investment. However, the widening trade deficit highlights ongoing challenges related to export diversification.
Date: January 12th, 2026, |Khmer Time| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/44fhhcya
4. Cambodia’s trade surpasses $64B in 2025, up 16.8%
In 2025, Cambodia’s total international trade volume exceeded US$64 billion, marking a 16.8 percent year-on-year increase compared to 2024. This growth reflects broad-based expansion in both exports and imports, underpinned by strong demand for Cambodian products abroad as well as essential imports supporting domestic manufacturing and consumption. Key export categories such as garments, footwear, electrical goods and agricultural products continued to perform well in global markets. At the same time, imports of machinery, electronics, petroleum products, and raw materials increased to meet the needs of expanding industrial and processing sectors.
This robust trade performance underscores Cambodia’s integration into global and regional supply chains, aided by free trade agreements and preferential market access in major markets. China, the United States, and Vietnam remained among the country’s top trading partners. The growth in trade volume signals resilient economic activity and increasing competitiveness of Cambodian products internationally, even amid global economic uncertainties.
Date: January 13th, 2026, |Khmer Time| Retrieved form: https://tinyurl.com/mvewzaww
5. Donald Trump announces 25% tariff on countries ‘doing business’ with Iran
In 2025, Toyota Motor Corporation remained the world’s top-selling automaker for the sixth consecutive year, reinforcing its long-standing global leadership position. Through November 2025, the Toyota Group—including its affiliates Daihatsu and Hino—sold approximately 10.33 million vehicles worldwide, outperforming competitors before full year-end figures were released. These sales total comfortably exceeded that of its closest rival, Volkswagen Group, which reported just under 9 million units for the full year, reflecting a decline in key markets such as China and the United States. Toyota’s sustained leadership underscores the strength of its diversified global strategy, with solid performance in major regions including China and the U.S. contributing to its overall sales momentum. The company’s ability to maintain the top spot for six straight years highlights its resilience amid competitive pressures and shifting market dynamics in the automotive industry, particularly as rivals grapple with regional challenges and intensifying competition.
Date: January 13th, 2026, |Nikkie Asia| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/mwy46sm5
6. Cambodia-Japan Trade Rises 17% to $2.6B, Hitting New Highs in 2025
In 2025, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan reached a record high of approximately US$2.6 billion, representing a 17 percent increase year-on-year and marking the strongest level of trade between the two countries to date. This growth reflects expanding economic ties, with both imports and exports contributing to the overall increase in commercial activity. Key Cambodian exports to Japan include garments, footwear, and agricultural products, while Japan continues to export machinery, electronics, and other manufactured goods to Cambodia. The stronger trade performance has been supported by trade facilitation efforts, preferential access under regional trade arrangements, and continued participation in business forums and investment promotion activities that strengthen commercial links. Japan remains an important partner in Cambodia’s broader strategy to diversify export markets and attract foreign investment into key sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure development. The increase in bilateral trade underscores sustained momentum in economic cooperation between the two nations in 2025.
Date: January 13th, 2026, |Kiripost| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/5xs2e2yd
7. Cambodia’s domestic rubber consumption surges by 146%, driven by tyre industry boom
In 2025, Cambodia’s domestic rubber consumption surged by 146 percent, driven primarily by rapid growth in the tyre manufacturing industry, according to official data. Domestic use of rubber reached approximately 124,000 tonnes, reflecting significantly stronger local demand as car tyre production expands. This increase coincides with the establishment and scaling up of multiple tyre factories within Cambodia’s Special Economic Zones, which are absorbing a growing share of locally produced rubber and supporting downstream industrial activity. The shift toward domestic consumption has altered the traditional rubber export pattern, as more raw material is retained for value-added manufacturing rather than being exported. This trend enhances the linkage between agriculture (rubber production) and industrial sectors, particularly in automotive support industries, while providing market stability for rubber plantation owners and processors. The surge in local demand underscores the evolving structure of Cambodia’s rubber sector, with the tyre industry acting as a key driver of internal commodity utilization and industrial diversification.
Date: January 14th, 2026, |Khmer Time| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/2stttdsd
8. Cambodia needs 2% growth to achieve 2050 economic vision, WB says
According to the World Bank, Cambodia needs to sustain an average 7 percent annual economic growth rate to achieve its long-term development goals outlined in the 2050 National Strategic Development Vision. This ambitious target is aimed at transforming Cambodia into an upper-middle-income economy with expanded industrialization, higher productivity, and improved living standards. Achieving consistent 7 percent growth will require continued reforms, investment in infrastructure, stronger integration into regional and global value chains, and enhanced human capital development. The World Bank also emphasized the importance of diversifying the economic base beyond garments, tourism, and agriculture, by fostering growth in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and digital services. Structural challenges, including skills shortages, bureaucratic constraints, and uneven regional development, must be addressed to sustain rapid growth over decades. Enhanced public‐private collaboration and investment climate improvements will be critical to catalyze private sector expansion, boost productivity, and secure the long-term structural transformation envisioned for Cambodia’s economy by 2050
Date: January 14th, 2026, |khmer Time| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/437893eh
9. Nearly 7 Million International Air Passengers Recorded in 2025
In 2025, Cambodia’s aviation sector experienced notable growth, recording nearly 7 million international air passengers, a 12% increase compared to 2024. A total of 6,988,259 travelers passed through the country’s three international airports: Techo International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanouk International Airport. Thirty-six domestic and international airlines operated 64,821 flights, representing an 11% rise in flight activity from the previous year. The improved connectivity included direct links to 17 countries and 46 cities, with major destinations including China, South Korea, India, Japan, the UAE, and ASEAN member states. Cargo volume also grew significantly by 21%, reaching 93,889 tonnes. The increase in passenger traffic and cargo highlights Cambodia’s strengthening position as a regional travel and logistics hub. Officials anticipate continued growth in 2026, driven by new flight routes, expanded airline services, and ongoing airport infrastructure upgrades, which are expected to further enhance both tourism and trade in the country.
Date: January 15th, 2026, |Cambodianess| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/3676shtf
10. CDC kicks off 2026 with $67M investment boost, 3,000 new jobs projected
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) began 2026 by approving nine qualified investment projects with a combined capital of about $67 million, signaling strong investor confidence in the country’s economic prospects. These projects span various sectors and are expected to generate approximately 3,000 new jobs for Cambodians, supporting employment growth and local development. The CDC’s review meeting emphasized Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to improve its investment climate through streamlined procedures and strategic promotion of priority industries. This investment boost aligns with the broader trend of rising foreign direct investment in Cambodia, where the CDC approved hundreds of larger projects in 2025 that together were worth billions of dollars and created tens of thousands of jobs in sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure, and agro‑industry. Sustained interest from both foreign and domestic investors reflects confidence in Cambodia’s economic policies, favorable trade agreements, and its role as a growing regional hub for investment and production
Date: January 16th, 2026, |Khmer Time| Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/4vraexbe