Cambodia’s SEZ Exports Surge to Nearly $6 Billion in First Nine Months

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Exports from Cambodia’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) reached $5.9 billion in the first nine months of the year, underscoring the zones' critical role as major economic drivers for the Kingdom. The figures were released yesterday in a report by the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC).

According to the report, while there are 58 SEZs established nationwide, 32 are currently fully operational. These zones have become a testament to the government’s strategic efforts to attract and retain foreign investment.

Key Drivers of Growth Speaking at an investment forum during the 18th Cambodia Trade Expo 2025 held last weekend in Phnom Penh, SUON SOPHAL, Deputy Secretary General of the CDC’s Cambodia Investment Board, highlighted main factors fueling this success. He cited the government's smart incentive scheme, the Kingdom’s strategic geographic location, and broad market access facilitated by international trade pacts. “Products exported from special economic zones have seen robust growth and contributed significantly to socio-economic development,” Sophal stated. He emphasized that trade agreements offer investors privileged access to massive global markets, positioning Cambodia as a strategic hub for processing, manufacturing, and exporting.

Economic Impact and Diversification Exports from SEZs now account for between 60 and 70 percent of Cambodia’s total exports. The commodities produced in these zones have diversified beyond textiles to include: Car tires, Electronic Components, Bicycles, Automotive parts and Spare parts...etc. Investment and Employment Data The CDC report indicates that the 32 operational SEZs currently host 1,021 investment projects with a total investment capital of $12.9 billion. These projects have created employment opportunities for over 230,000 people. Streamlining Business Operations SEZs provide investors with a ‘one-stop’ service for imports and exports, greatly facilitating cross-border trade and regional cooperation. The zones are increasingly linked with key transport routes and border crossings to enhance logistics. “We have intensified efforts to facilitate investment through measures such as streamlined import duty exemptions and online Qualified Investment Project (QIP) registration,” Sophal explained. “These steps have significantly helped investors receive licenses faster, making it easier to do business in Cambodia.”

Looking ahead, the Royal Government is focusing on a new model of SEZs dedicated to green industries and high-end technology investments, distinguishing them from existing industrial parks and promoting innovation within the sector.