AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing: Cambodia’s bicycle and e-bike exports rose 23% year on year to $552 million in the first nine months of 2026, with shipments going to the US, Europe, Canada and Australia. Investment: The country approved $5.92 billion in fixed-asset investment projects from January to September, while fruit exports climbed 16.4% over the same period. Skills: Cambodia and the EU brought vocational schools, employers and about 300 students together to align training with industry needs, including green and digital skills. Trade Links: A Vietnam-Cambodia expo in Phnom Penh gathered 150 organisations and businesses across 189 booths to promote investment and bilateral commerce.

Agriculture: A Cambodia-developed indigenous chicken-breeding program won a 2026 international award. Since 2020, it has worked with more than 500 farming households and distributed over 190,000 improved chicks, with the model now expanding to Laos and Vietnam. Investment: Cambodia registered US$5.92 billion in fixed-asset projects in the first nine months of 2026; 36 projects worth US$470 million were approved in September. Exports: Garment-related exports rose 7.7% to more than US$13 billion, tyre exports jumped 77% to US$1.72 billion, and fruit exports increased 16.4% year on year through September. Trade and industry: Cambodia and Azerbaijan signed agreements to expand business ties, with cooperation opportunities in trade, energy and transport. Cambodia’s trade with ASEAN and the EU also recorded double-digit growth. Business risks: Australian authorities say criminal networks are producing counterfeit cigarettes at industrial scale in Cambodia and the region, while an investigation into alleged scam operations at Koh Kong’s Long Bay development has renewed scrutiny of oversight and enforcement.

Investment: Cambodia approved US$5.92 billion across 382 fixed-asset projects in the first nine months, with 217,000 jobs expected. September alone brought 36 projects worth US$470 million, including two solar plants totaling 380 megawatts. Agriculture & Exports: Fruit export revenue rose 16.4% to US$312 million. Tyre exports jumped 77% to US$1.72 billion, while garment-related exports grew 7.7% to more than US$13 billion. Trade & Logistics: Foreign trade climbed 22% to over US$58 billion in the first nine months. A Vietnam-Cambodia expo in Phnom Penh is promoting products and business links, while logistics firm Rhenus has expanded its Cambodian headquarters. New Markets: Cambodia and Azerbaijan signed cooperation deals covering trade and the economy, with energy, agriculture and transport among areas for potential business ties. Industry Outlook: Export growth is strong, but deeper local processing and better domestic industrial capacity will be key to spreading the gains.

Rice Exports: Cambodia shipped 20,000 tonnes of milled rice, worth more than $10 million, to the Philippines and is targeting 60,000 tonnes there by year-end. Trade and Investment: Foreign trade rose 22% to over $58 billion in the first nine months; garment-related exports topped $13 billion, up 7.7%, while tyre exports surged 77% to $1.72 billion. Cambodia and Azerbaijan also signed agreements to deepen trade and business ties. Infrastructure and Logistics: The new $252 million National Road 10 links northwestern hubs with the southwest coast. Logistics firm Rhenus has expanded its Cambodian headquarters. Energy Costs: Oil and gas import costs jumped nearly 54% in the first nine months, adding pressure on businesses and consumers. Agriculture: Cambodia still imports more than $70 million of green coffee beans annually, highlighting room to expand local production.

Trade and Investment: Cambodia and Azerbaijan signed agreements on economic cooperation, education and double taxation, setting a framework for closer trade and investment ties. Phnom Penh is also seeking Azerbaijani expertise in energy and access to Central Asian markets. Climate Technology: Cambodia’s AI for Climate Action Forum brought about 200 delegates together to explore tools for energy, agriculture, forest management and disaster warnings. Exports: Foreign trade rose 22% to more than US$58 billion in the first nine months of 2026, with trade with ASEAN and the EU posting double-digit growth. Tyre exports surged 77% to US$1.72 billion, while garment-related exports rose 7.7% to more than US$13 billion. Infrastructure and Industry: Cambodia inaugurated the US$252 million National Road 10, linking northwestern hubs with the southwest coast, as the government pushes to establish the country as a manufacturing hub. Energy Skills: Two Cambodian power-sector employees are studying advanced generation technologies and digital systems in China, with the aim of applying their skills at home.

Azerbaijan Investment: Cambodia and Azerbaijan signed agreements on trade and economic cooperation, education and double-taxation relief during Prime Minister Hun Manet’s Baku visit. A business forum explored partnerships in energy, logistics, agricultural processing and manufacturing; Azerbaijan’s SOCAR is open to assessing opportunities in Cambodia. Trade and Manufacturing: Cambodia’s total trade reached $58.48 billion in January–September, up 22%. Tyre exports jumped 77% to $1.72 billion, while garment-related exports rose 7.7% to more than $13 billion. Trade with ASEAN and the EU grew 16% and 14%, respectively. Infrastructure and Logistics: Cambodia inaugurated the $252 million National Road 10, connecting northwestern hubs to the southwest coast, while logistics firm Rhenus expanded its Cambodian head office. Energy Costs: Oil and gas import costs rose nearly 54% in the first nine months, adding pressure for businesses. Climate Technology: Phnom Penh is hosting an AI-for-climate forum examining applications in energy, agriculture, forest management and disaster warnings.

Trade and Investment: Cambodia and Azerbaijan signed agreements on trade and economic cooperation, double-taxation relief and diplomatic training, while their chambers of commerce agreed to promote business links. At a Baku forum, officials and companies discussed opportunities in energy, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics; an investment-protection pact is in preparation. Infrastructure and Logistics: Cambodia inaugurated the $252 million National Road 10, linking northwestern hubs with the southwest coast. Logistics provider Rhenus Cambodia is also moving to a larger Phnom Penh head office, citing demand from infrastructure projects and investors. Trade and Industry: Cambodia’s trade with ASEAN and the EU rose 16% and 14%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2026. Tyre exports also jumped 77% to $1.72 billion, strengthening a fast-growing manufacturing export line.

Regional Trade: Cambodia’s trade with ASEAN and the EU rose 16% and 14%, respectively, to a combined US$19.29 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Global trade reached US$58.48 billion. Manufacturing: Tyre exports surged 77.5% to US$1.72 billion, with the US the largest market; garment-related exports also climbed 7.7% to more than US$13 billion. Transport Links: The newly inaugurated US$252 million National Road 10 connects northwestern agricultural areas with the southwest coast, cutting long detours and supporting trade. Investment: JICA signalled plans to expand cooperation on infrastructure and logistics, while Cambodia and Viet Nam reaffirmed a US$20 billion bilateral trade target and urged businesses to turn agreements into investment. Energy Pressures: Oil and gas import costs jumped nearly 54% in the first nine months, adding pressure on logistics and manufacturers as fuel prices rise.

Energy Costs: Cambodia’s fuel import bill rose 53.8% to $2.82 billion in the first nine months of 2026. From Oct. 11, gasoline prices climbed to 5,350 riels per litre, while diesel eased to 5,550 riels, adding pressure on manufacturers and logistics firms. Manufacturing: Tyre exports jumped 77.46% to $1.72 billion, led by demand from the US and Europe. Cambodia now has eight tyre factories, and industry leaders are calling for simpler export procedures. Trade and Connectivity: Cambodia and Vietnam are targeting $20 billion in annual trade after turnover reached $6.58 billion in the first nine months. They also agreed to advance links between the Phnom Penh-Bavet and Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai expressways. Industrial Sustainability: At Cambodia’s Circular Economy Forum, Industry Minister Hem Vanndy urged businesses to put resource-efficient production into practice. Public Works officials are also exploring a pilot for plastic-modified asphalt that could use up to three tonnes of plastic waste per kilometre of road.

Energy Costs: Gasoline prices rose 3.8% to 5,350 riels per litre for Oct. 11–21, while diesel eased slightly. Cambodia’s fuel and gas import bill still climbed 53.8% to $2.82 billion in the first nine months, squeezing logistics and manufacturing. Manufacturing: Tyre exports jumped 77.5% to $1.72 billion in January–September, with the United States the biggest market. Cambodia now has eight tyre factories, and industry leaders say smoother export procedures could help sustain growth. Trade and Investment: Cambodia and Vietnam set a goal of $20 billion in annual trade, after turnover reached $6.58 billion in the first nine months. Six agreements and a new joint trade committee aim to deepen cooperation, while a business forum highlighted opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and supply chains. Exports: Cambodia’s trade turnover exceeded $58 billion in the first nine months, up 22% year on year. The WTO also ranked Cambodia among the top five LDC goods traders in the first half, with exports up 18%.

Energy Costs: Cambodia spent $2.82 billion on diesel, gasoline and gas imports in the first nine months, up 53.8% year on year, as industrial output, transport and electricity demand grew. The government has spent nearly $500 million to cushion fuel and power prices. Cambodia–Vietnam Trade: Leaders agreed to target $20 billion in annual trade, building on $6.58 billion in the first nine months, and signed six cooperation agreements. They also pledged to speed links between the Phnom Penh–Bavet and Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressways. Trade and Manufacturing: Cambodia’s foreign trade rose 22% to more than $58 billion in the first nine months; garment-related exports topped $13 billion, up 7.7%. Investment: At a Cambodia–Vietnam business forum, officials highlighted opportunities in agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics, packaging, cold chains and clean energy, including local production of inputs for Cambodia’s growing tyre industry.

Investment: Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called Angkormilk a successful Cambodian investment and urged it to expand local jobs, supply-chain links and distribution. At the Cambodia–Viet Nam Business Forum, leaders urged firms to turn talks into projects in manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics and clean energy, and proposed linking the Phnom Penh–Bavet and Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressways as a production corridor. Trade: Cambodia’s trade turnover topped US$58 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 22%, while garment-related exports rose 7.7% to more than US$13 billion. The two countries recorded US$6.6 billion in bilateral trade in the same period and are targeting US$20 billion. Energy: Cambodia’s oil and gas import costs jumped nearly 54% in the first nine months, adding pressure to fuel costs; the government says hydropower, which supplies 62% of electricity, helps cushion the impact. Digital services: KB PRASAC Bank’s mobile app passed one million active users, reflecting rising adoption of digital banking.

Cambodia–Viet Nam Investment: Leaders urged businesses to turn closer ties into projects, linking the Phnom Penh–Bavet and Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressways as a production corridor. Bilateral trade reached $6.6 billion in the first nine months, with a $20 billion target ahead. Trade and Exports: Cambodia’s foreign trade rose 22% to more than $58 billion in the first nine months; garment-related exports climbed 7.7% to over $13 billion. Energy Costs: Oil, gas and fuel imports cost $2.82 billion in the same period, up 53.8% year on year, adding pressure as industrial production and transport demand grow. Logistics: Cambodia and the UK discussed investment, green special economic zones and cooperation on the country’s transport and logistics master plan. Digital Banking: KB PRASAC Bank’s mobile app passed one million active users, reflecting growing uptake of digital financial services.

Manufacturing: Cambodia’s garment, textile, footwear and travel-goods exports rose 7.7% to $13.15 billion in January–September, led by garments at $9.23 billion. Trade: Total goods turnover climbed 22.1% to $58.49 billion, with exports up 18% to $27.47 billion. Investment and Logistics: Cambodia and the UK discussed easing administrative procedures, developing green special economic zones and building cooperation under Cambodia’s 2023–2033 transport and logistics plan. Rhenus Logistics also moved its Phnom Penh head office to Koh Pich as it expands services for manufacturing, industrial and clean-energy clients. Agriculture and Water: Drought followed by flooding has delayed rice planting, raising farmers’ input costs and dimming harvest expectations. Cambodia and the World Bank reviewed the next phase of a water-security project aimed at improving water management and resilience. Workers: The garment-sector minimum wage will rise by just $2 to $212 a month in 2027, below the $250 sought by worker representatives.

Trade: Cambodia’s goods trade reached US$58.49 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 22.1% year on year. Exports rose 18% to US$27.47 billion, while faster import growth widened the deficit to US$3.54 billion. Trade with RCEP members climbed 21.3% to US$35.79 billion. Logistics: Rhenus Logistics moved its Phnom Penh head office to Koh Pich, citing plans to expand services for manufacturing, consumer goods and clean-energy customers. Energy: Hydropower supplies 62% of Cambodia’s electricity, but the government has spent nearly US$500 million to cushion fuel and power prices. Manufacturing: A BBC investigation found workers making official football shirts at Cambodian factories earned under £1 an hour and described high temperatures and pressure to meet production targets. Skills: Hun Manet called for education and vocational training to better match employers’ needs, with more focus on digital, AI and industry-specific skills.

Trade: Cambodia’s foreign trade rose 22% to US$58.48 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Exports grew 18%, led by garments, footwear, travel goods and agricultural products, while imports climbed 26%. Energy Costs: Hydropower supplies 62% of electricity, but the government says it has spent nearly US$500 million to cushion fuel and power prices. Retail: South Korea’s Mega MGC Coffee opened its first Cambodian store in Phnom Penh, using a local master-franchise partner. SMEs: A Ministry of Commerce program is offering digital-commerce training to help local businesses sell through CambodiaTrade.com and reach international buyers. Garment Industry: A BBC investigation found workers making official football shirts at two Cambodian factories reported basic pay below £1 an hour, high temperatures and pressure to meet production targets. Growth Outlook: The World Bank cut its 2026 Cambodia growth forecast to 3.5%, citing weaker tourism and high fuel costs.