Property News Roundup 16th June 2025

1. Japan provides $7.8 mil in grant funding to CMAC

Japan has granted approximately ¥1.166 billion (~US $7.8 million) to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) to modernize its mine‑clearance operation. The agreement was formalized on June 6, 2025, during a signing ceremony at CMAC’s Phnom Penh headquarters, attended by key figures: H.E. Heng Ratana (Royal Government Delegate/CMAC Director General), Sanui Kazumasa (JICA Cambodia Chief Representative), and Fujisaki Seiyu (JICS Project Director)

The funding will be allocated toward procurement of advanced demining technology, including robotic mine‑clearing machines, ALIS mine detectors, barrier and transport vehicles, buses, and heavy-duty trucks—all aimed at boosting CMAC’s operational efficiency and safety. JICA’s Kazumasa highlighted the longstanding partnership with CMAC and framed this as a new milestone in technological cooperation, while Fujisaki emphasized JICS’s commitment to professionally and efficiently managing equipment procurement. Heng Ratana described the project as a key step forward in Cambodia’s drive toward demining, improving training capacity, and supporting mine‑affected communities.

This grant follows an earlier March 20, 2025, commitment of over US $10 million by Japan to strengthen CMAC’s technical skills and provide equipment for training infrastructure Overall, this initiative underscores Japan’s ongoing dedication to Cambodia’s economic and social development, especially its goal of achieving a mine-free environment.

 June 9^th, 2025, Khmer Time Link: t.ly/3URgO

2. Cambodia-US trade talks round three in near future

Cambodia and the United States concluded their second round of negotiations over reciprocal tariffs in Washington, D.C., on June 4–6, 2025. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and US Trade Representative Sarah Ellerman, the talks centered on drafting terms for a reciprocal trade agreement and were described by both sides as “highly productive,” fostering a strong mutual understanding Both nations have committed to promptly reconvening for a third round, also in Washington

Earlier in May, a 19‑member Cambodian delegation led by Sun Chanthol participated in technical discussions in Washington from May 13–15. Agreements were made regarding critical issues such as trade imbalances, export rules (including measures to prevent transshipment of Chinese goods), and national security concerns. Cambodian exports to the US rose by 22.3% to $3.2 billion in the first four months of 2025, while US imports into Cambodia increased by 34.8% to $97.8 million—a reflection of both growth and heightened Cambodian dependency on the US market.

Analysts caution that, despite economic benefits, these negotiations are heavily influenced by geopolitical factors, including supply chain integrity and security issues tied to Cambodia’s growing ties with China and the strategic Ream Naval Base.

Overall, Cambodia and the US appear committed to working through tariff-related hurdles toward a mutually advantageous trade framework.

May 9^th, 2025, | Khmer Time | Link: t.ly/e5Ep0

3Jiangsu’s $1.84 bil investment boosts Cambodia-China ties

Jiangsu province has become a significant economic partner for Cambodia, with a total of 217 investment projects amounting to $1.84 billion, according to Si Yong, Director of Jiangsu’s Department of Commerce. The announcement was made at the “Sihanoukville-Jiangsu Investment Cooperation Forum” held in Nanjing, attended by over 200 Chinese business leaders and Cambodian officials. In 2024 alone, Jiangsu initiated 32 new projects in Cambodia worth $180 million, highlighting growing bilateral cooperation.

The forum was part of the “Special Programme for Promoting Investment in Sihanoukville 2024,” co-organized by Cambodian and Chinese authorities to attract Chinese capital into Cambodia’s coastal province. Jiangsu’s investments span key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, real estate, and tourism, with a strong focus on Sihanoukville.

Preah Sihanouk Governor Mang Sineth praised the province’s role as a symbol of Cambodia-China “ironclad friendship” and noted that the progress aligns with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy–Phase I and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He emphasized the region’s robust infrastructure, including three seaports capable of handling 2,000 TEU vessels, as well as expressways, national roads, a railway, and an airport—making Sihanoukville a prime location for international investment.

May 9^th, 2025, | Khmer Times | Link: t.ly/Wig_g

4. Kingdom’s exports to RCEP up nearly 8% in first 4 months

Cambodia exported $3.62 billion worth of goods to Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries in the first four months of 2025, marking a 7.6% increase from $3.36 billion during the same period in 2024, according to a Ministry of Commerce report. These exports accounted for 38.7% of Cambodia’s total exports of $9.33 billion during the period.

Meanwhile, Cambodia imported $9.31 billion worth of goods from RCEP countries—a year-on-year rise of 18.8%. As a result, total trade between Cambodia and RCEP nations reached $12.93 billion from January to April, reflecting a 15.4% increase and comprising 65.6% of the country’s total international trade ($19.7 billion).

Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, credited the RCEP trade pact for these gains, noting that near-zero tariffs under the agreement have enhanced Cambodia’s export competitiveness. He emphasized the potential for “Made-in-Cambodia” products to further penetrate RCEP markets.

RCEP, which took effect in January 2022, includes 15 Asia-Pacific nations: the 10 ASEAN members plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Cambodia anticipates that exports under RCEP could grow 9.4% to 18%, contributing between 2% and 3.8% to national economic growth.

May 9^th, 2025, | Khmer Times | Link: t.ly/9LmSN

5. Kingdom’s exports to EU touch $1.44B in first 4 months

Cambodia’s exports to the European Union surged to $1.449 billion in the first four months of 2025, reflecting a 23% increase from $1.175 billion during the same period last year, according to a Ministry of Commerce report. Imports from the EU dropped by 8.8% to $253 million, resulting in a total bilateral trade volume of $1.703 billion—a 17% year-on-year increase.

Spain and Germany emerged as Cambodia’s top EU trade partners, with bilateral trade values of $338 million and $337 million, respectively. Other major European destinations include France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Overall, EU trade accounted for 8.6% of Cambodia’s total international trade volume of $19.7 billion during the period.

Secretary of State Penn Sovicheat attributed the rise in exports to the increasing competitiveness of Cambodian products and their ability to meet growing European demand. He noted that this consistent growth is evidence of Cambodia’s improving trade performance with the EU.

Cambodia mainly exports textiles, footwear, bicycles, rice, and agricultural products to the EU, benefiting from the Everything but Arms (EBA) scheme. The UK also remained a key market, importing $309 million worth of goods from Cambodia, up 9.5% year-on-year.

May 10^th, 2025, | Khmer Time | Link: t.ly/hOU9l

6. New companies under CSX listing application review

The Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) is currently processing listing approvals for three new companies—two aiming to register as equity securities and one planning a bond issuance, according to CEO Hong Sok Hour. While the names of the firms remain undisclosed, this move aligns with CSX’s 2025 goal of onboarding at least six new companies this year.

As of Q1 2025, CSX hosts 25 listed companies, comprising 11 equity listings and 14 bond issuances, with over $549 million raised through the market. The first five months of 2025 saw an average daily stock trading value of around $100,000 and a volume of about 100,000 shares. Notably, the number of trading accounts has grown to approximately 60,000, signaling increasing investor interest.

These developments are part of CSX’s broader strategy to expand Cambodia’s capital market by attracting more issuers and investors, with goals to double trading activity and foster greater financial inclusion. Hong Sok Hour emphasized the role of the stock market in promoting economic development and urged business owners to leverage the exchange for sustainable capital financing.

Launched in 2012, CSX is a joint venture between the Cambodian government (55%) and the Korean Exchange (45%).

May 10^th, 2025, | Reuter | Link: t.ly/GQIyG

7. Cambodia’s international trade hits over $25 billion in five months

Cambodia’s international trade volume reached $25.29 billion from January to May 2025, marking an 18.5% year-on-year increase from $21.33 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE). Exports totaled $11.8 billion, up 17.2%, while imports rose 19.7% to $13.48 billion. The U.S. and Vietnam remained Cambodia’s top export markets, receiving $4.35 billion and $2.04 billion worth of goods, respectively. China led as the main import source, supplying $7 billion in goods—a 31.4% increase.

Lim Heng, Vice-President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, credited the country’s political stability and proactive trade diplomacy for boosting investor confidence and foreign investment, especially in manufacturing and processing. He noted record investment registrations with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), driving growth in production and exports.

Lor Vichet of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association pointed out that exports still rely heavily on low-value traditional sectors like garments and footwear, while high-value raw materials are mostly imported—contributing to a persistent trade deficit. He called for a national strategy to develop local raw material industries and promote high-tech sectors, including AI manufacturing, to enhance export value and reduce dependency on imports.

May 11^st, 2025, | Khmer Time | Link: t.ly/lJgAE

8. CDC okays investment projects worth $4.2 billion

From January to May, Cambodia approved investment projects worth over $4.2 billion, an increase of 52 percent compared to the same period in 2024, according to a report of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), issued yesterday.According to the CDC, there were 290 registered investment projects, an increase of 137 projects, equivalent to 90 percent.Of which, the investment capital in the industrial sector was more than $3.6 billion, infrastructure was $558 million, and tourism was $20 million.

China took the lead in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom, followed by local investors, Vietnamese and Singaporean investors.

In May alone, the CDC registered a total of 59 investment projects with an investment capital of $816 million and could create approximately 44,000 jobs.

The registration of investment projects in May increased by 34 projects, equivalent to approximately 136 percent, while the investment capital increased by approximately $570 million, equivalent to approximately 231 percent. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, attributed peace and strong stability to having built a big bold of investors’ confidence in injecting investment in the country.

“The increasing investment flows to Cambodia reflect investors’ confidence in the strong political stability in the country,” he said.The Cambodian government is working diligently to dismantle and reduce trade barriers, streamline customs procedures, streamline business registration procedures, and create a legal environment with clarity and transparency, he said.

Lim Heng, Vice-President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, stated that Cambodia’s involvement in major trade agreements like RCEP, coupled with preferential trade access to the US and EU markets, has significantly boosted foreign direct investment.Speaking with Khmer Times, Heng said, “These trade pacts and preference schemes have instilled strong confidence in investors, positioning Cambodia as a highly attractive investment destination in the region.”

Last year, Cambodia attracted 414 fixed-asset investments worth a total investment capital of $6.9 billion, up 40 percent from $4.92 billion in the year before.

May 11^st, 2025, | Khmer time | Link: t.ly/Vr2uk

9. Cambodia spends over $834 mln for diesel, gasoline, combustion gas imports in first 4 months

Cambodia’s imports of diesel fuel, gasoline, and combustion gas dropped by 12.6 percent in the first four months of 2025, according to a Ministry of Commerce report on Wednesday. The value of diesel fuel, gasoline, and combustion gas imports totaled $834.37 million during the January-April period this year, down 12.6 per cent from $954.88 million over the same period last year, the report stated.

The Southeast Asian country spent $449.76 million on diesel fuel, down 13 per cent; $272.25 million on gasoline, down 18 per cent; and $112.36 million on compressed natural gas, up 6.46 per cent, the report added.

Cambodia currently relies entirely on imports of oil and gas. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has projected that the demand for oil and gas products in Cambodia will reach 4.8 million tons xin 2030, up from 2.8 million tons in 2020. Xinhua

May 12^st, 2025, | Phnom Penh Post | Link: t.ly/HAEQx

10. Australia-Japan partnership powers Cambodia’s cashew growth

Australia and Japan have partnered to boost Cambodia’s cashew industry by enhancing in-country processing capacity, aiming to increase value-added exports and improve livelihoods. Currently, only about 5% of Cambodia’s 840,000 tons of cashews are processed domestically, limiting economic benefits. Through joint support, both nations are helping Kampong Thom-based MIRARTH Agri Tech expand cashew processing, reduce waste, and connect with global markets.

Japan has provided supply chain support and conducted feasibility studies, while Australia is strengthening MIRARTH’s export readiness through coaching, international matchmaking, and facilitating participation in the 2025 World Cashew Conference, where preliminary export deals were struck. MIRARTH targets processing 3,000 tons of cashews in 2025 with a zero-waste approach.

The Cambodian Cashew Nut Association (CAC) welcomed the initiative, stating it would accelerate Cambodia’s entry into international markets and improve sectoral processing. In 2022, Cambodia produced 850,000 tons of cashews and exported 815,000 tons—a 31% increase from the previous year.

Prime Minister Hun Manet also announced a state-led pilot cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom, signaling a shift from privately owned zones to a coordinated, government-backed strategy. He emphasized the need for consolidation and large-scale production to reduce costs and compete globally, reinforcing Cambodia’s vision for sustainable agricultural exports.

May 12^st, 2025, | Khmer Time | Link: https://tinyurl.com/y5rcze2z