- Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council-Cambodia;
- Mr. Anthony Patrick Chua, Representative of Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council 2026 (Philippines);
- Dr. Kao Kim Hourn;
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is a great pleasure and honor to stand before you today in the heart of Phnom Penh for the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2026. I would like to extend my appreciation to the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and all International Chambers and Business Association for organizing this pivotal regional event.
We are here not merely to observe the current state of the market, but to capitalize on a historic shift in global economic landscape. The theme, “Transforming ASEAN: Innovation, Integration, and Industrial Evolution”, reflects a fundamental reality: in an era of global fragmentation, regional blocks that prioritize agility and cohesion will win. I firmly believe that the summit is designed as a high-value platform for tangible outcomes. I strongly hope that the Business Matching sessions will create valuable B2B opportunities, and the government-to-business dialogues throughout these two days will foster deeper mutual understanding and strengthen the collaborative partnerships.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
As we navigate the transition from the ASEAN Economic Community 2025 milestones toward the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, we must recognize that the global economic playbook has changed. The world today faces mounting global challenges, including economic uncertainty, climate change, supply chain disruptions, and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly conflicts in the Middle East that threaten regional and global stability. For ASEAN, these developments highlight the need to strengthen regional resilience through diversified energy sources, deeper economic integration, and enhanced crisis coordination mechanisms.
To achieve the target of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045, ASEAN is moving beyond “business as usual”. The AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030 represents our collective operational response—a forward-looking and results-oriented framework designed not merely to withstand market disruption, but to harness it as a source of competitive strength. While advanced economies currently face demographic pressures and productivity plateaus, ASEAN’s trajectory remains upward. With the ASEAN+3 region projected to grow at 4% this year—outpacing the global average of 3.3%—ASEAN is the primary engine of global demand.
The investment data from 2024 and 2025 confirms a significant pivot toward our region. While global FDI flows saw an 11% contraction, inflows to ASEAN rose by 8.5% to $226 billion. ASEAN has matured into a sophisticated hub for semiconductors, automotive engineering, and digital services. This resilience is the direct result of the commitment to regional integration and the harmonization of physical and digital infrastructure. For global firms looking to diversify their supply chains, ASEAN is no longer just an “alternative” destination; it is the strategic center of gravity for sustainable, long-term growth.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Within this regional framework, Cambodia is positioning itself as a strategic partner among ASEAN member countries. Despite the current regional and global context, Cambodia’s economy remains robust. The economy achieved a growth rate of 5.2% in 2025, with solid growth projected to continue in the medium term, offering great opportunities for business and investment. We understand that for your operations to be truly cost-effective and resilient, you need a diversified footprint. Cambodia complements the industrial bases of ASEAN member countries by offering a seamless, tech-enabled extension of the regional supply chain. Since joining ASEAN in 1999, we have aggressively dismantled trade barriers and modernized our customs and logistics frameworks. We recognize that in business world, efficiency is the ultimate currency. To that end, the Royal Government of Cambodia offers 100% foreign ownership and has fully digitized the regulatory and approval environment. We are committed to a pro-business agenda that minimizes friction and maximizes speed to market.
Our national economic policy is aligned with the Pentagonal Strategy, a comprehensive 25-year roadmap to achieve the 2025 Vision. This strategy is built on five pillars: People, Roads, Water, Electricity, and Technology. We have prioritized Technology as a core component of our national policy because high-value growth is inseparable from digital maturity. We are currently executing a massive “skills revolution” through our 1.5 million Youth TVET Program. By partnering with industry leaders like Toyota, we are ensuring our workforce is not just labor-ready, but Fourth Industrial Revolution-compliant. We are bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial standards to provide the engineers and technical specialists your modern facilities require.
In line with emerging trends and evolving circumstances, the Royal Government has recently refined the Pentagonal Strategy—Phase I and introduced the Program for Enhancing Competitiveness, Promoting Diversification and Strengthening Resilience to Drive Economic Growth in the Highly Uncertain Global Context of the Royal Government of the Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly with three pillars, namely: (1) Sectoral Economic Support Program for the Short and Medium Terms;
(2) Program for Enhancing Competitiveness, Promoting Diversification and Strengthening Resilience; and (3) Program for Adapting to Changes in the International Trade Regime.
Cambodia is evolving beyond low-cost production to become ASEAN’s Green Manufacturing Hub. For multinational corporations, the pressure to meet EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and global Environmental, Social, and Governance targets is no longer optional—it is a market requirement. Today, 62% of our power mix is derived from renewable sources, and we are on track to hit 70% by 2030. By integrating this clean energy with our Special Economic Zone (SEZ) infrastructure, we provide a prime ecosystem for electronics and automotive clusters. In 2025 alone, the Council for the Development of Cambodia approved approximately $10 billion in new projects—a 45% year-on-year increase. The capital is shifting rapidly from garments toward high-end manufacturing, agro-industry, and infrastructure.
Cambodia offers a compelling strategic advantage for global investors, grounded in political stability, macroeconomic resilience, expanding market access, and a progressive and forward-looking regulatory framework. We have worked deliberately to create a secure and predictable operating environment that minimizes jurisdictional risk, enhances confidence of businesses and investments, promote competitiveness, and ensures long-term business continuity. Reflecting this commitment, the Royal Government decisively shifts its national policy from prevention to the full eradication of scam centers by April 2026, reinforcing the rule of law, strengthening institutional enforcement, and further safeguarding the integrity of the investment climate. In addition, the Royal Government has established an inter-ministerial working group with over 100 members from 30 relevant ministries and institutions to promote business environment in Cambodia. This working group has formulated the Program to Promote the Business and Investment Climate in Cambodia 2025-2028, which the Royal Government officially adopted in November 2025. Furthermore, the Royal Government’s pro-business reform agenda offers competitive fiscal incentives, including tax holidays of up to 15 years for designated priority sectors.
As an open economy and active member of the World Trade Organization, Cambodia is deeply integrated into the global trading system. The country is actively and proactively promoting trade with key partners such as the United States and the China. In addition, Cambodia is advancing negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to diversify its export markets, enhance competitiveness, and further deepen its integration into the global economy. Through our extensive network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Cambodia gains preferential access to the world’s most dynamic and significant markets, positioning Cambodia as a strategic gateway to the region and beyond.
At the heart of the country’s economic strategy is the recognition of the private sector as the primary “engine of growth”. This commitment is institutionalized through the Government-Private Sector Forum (G-PSF), which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 as one of the region’s most effective public-private consultation mechanisms. Following the 19th G-PSF in November 2023, the government executed a series of “sharp” reform measures and “surgical” interventions designed to eliminate systemic barriers. These proactive steps have significantly enhanced the investment climate, fostering a more agile and responsive ecosystem for international enterprises.
To unlock new regional value, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched the “Special Program to Promote Investment in the Four Northeastern Provinces (2025–2028)”, in addition to the Special Program to Promote Investment in the Preah Sihanouk Province. This new program targets the high-growth potential of the agro-industrial and eco-tourism sectors in Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri Province. For investors, this represents a strategic entry point characterized by streamlined regulatory requirements and a specialized minimum capital threshold of $100,000, ensuring that the benefits of development are distributed across the country’s diverse geography.
Recognizing that modern infrastructure is the lifeblood of economic efficiency, Cambodia is aggressively advancing its logistics capabilities to complement its trade agreements. The Funan Techo Canal is progressing on schedule, promising to grant Cambodian exports direct maritime access and reducing reliance on third-country transit. Simultaneously, the inauguration of the Techo International Airport (TIA) as a 4F-class facility underscores Cambodia’s ambition to become a premier global hub for logistics and tourism. This infrastructure, driven by domestic innovation, serves as a testament to the nation’s self-reliance and strategic foresight.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
As we look toward the remainder of 2026, the opportunity for investment in Cambodia has never been more compelling. Whether you are focused on green energy, digital infrastructure, or high-value manufacturing, Cambodia offers the stability, the regulatory support, and the strategic location to ensure your success.
I urge the business leaders in this room to look beyond the immediate horizon and see the immense potential of our integrated economy. Let us work together to build the infrastructure of the future.
In closing, I wish this summit resounding success, and wish you good health and continued prosperity.
I now declare the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2026 officially open.
Thank You!