Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 5 – Representatives from 44 Japanese companies, coordinated by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), arrived in Cambodia to explore investment opportunities and expand their overseas businesses. This comes as more than 90 Japanese companies have already registered to invest in Cambodia in 2024.
The delegation met with senior Cambodian officials, including Vongsey Vissoth, Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, and Sun Chanthol, First Deputy Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
Speaking at a welcoming ceremony and business matchmaking meeting on 4 March 2025, at the Raffles Le Royal Hotel, Kohei Wakabayashi, President of JETRO, stated that the investors came not only from Japan but also from Thailand, Viet Nam, China, and other countries.
He underlined that these companies are seriously considering investing and conducting business in Cambodia, which is why JETRO organised meetings between them and Cambodian officials and business representatives. Around 40 Cambodian companies also participated in the event.
“We hope today’s event will lead to as many business opportunities as possible,” Wakabayashi underscored.
During the welcoming ceremony, Vongsey Vissoth extended a warm welcome to the Japanese company delegates, acknowledging their strong commitment and interest in investing in Cambodia.
He reiterated that to enhance trade and investment ties between Cambodia and Japan, the Royal Government of Cambodia remains committed to addressing the challenges and concerns of the private sector. The government also encourages the Japanese investment community to raise any issues openly and transparently.
Additionally, the Royal Government will continue discussions on JETRO’s new policy, which aims to support Cambodian businesses and strengthen Cambodian-Japanese business cooperation. The government also plans to establish a special working group composed of representatives from ministries and institutions to work closely with JETRO and Japanese companies to facilitate investment and business expansion in Cambodia.
Additionally, the government will continue to support and encourage Japanese investment in telecommunications and digital transformation, particularly in the development of internet services, e-commerce, digital infrastructure, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agro-industry, and green industry. Furthermore, the government remains committed to promoting and strengthening the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism to foster further economic collaboration.
Vissoth also acknowledged the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Phnom Penh for its role over the past 15 years in facilitating trade between Cambodia and Japan. JETRO has actively organized trade fairs, training programs, business networking events, and company matchmaking initiatives, significantly contributing to the economic partnership between the two nations.
As a result, Japan has become an important trading partner for Cambodia, with bilateral trade volume increasing from USD 1.4 billion in 2017 to USD 2.2 billion in 2024.
Notably, in 2024, Cambodia registered approximately 90 Japanese companies, reflecting a 20.55 per cent increase compared to 2023. Japanese companies have invested in industrial, agricultural, and infrastructure sectors, positively contributing to Cambodia’s socio-economic development by creating thousands of jobs, providing skills training, and facilitating technology transfer.
These efforts have helped strengthen Cambodia’s industrial competitiveness and labor productivity.
In fact, well-established Japanese companies including Minebea, AEON, and Toyota have continued to expand their operations, factories, and business locations in Cambodia, further reinforcing the strong economic ties between the two nations.
=FRESH NEWS
