Phnom penh: Cambodia's economic momentum accelerated in the first half of 2026, with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) approving 276 new investment projects valued at $4.7 billion, according to a report released by CDC on July 14. The manufacturing and infrastructure boom is projected to create more than 160,000 jobs for local workers.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, domestic investors stepped up significantly, accounting for 41.74% of the total capital. On the foreign direct investment (FDI) front, China maintained its position as Cambodia's top economic partner, contributing 35.75% of external capital, followed closely by Singapore at 15.38%. Additional backing poured in from a diverse global footprint, including Malaysia, the Netherlands, Japan, the U.S., the British Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Samoa.
The approved ventures signal a sharp pivot toward high-value manufacturing and renewable energy. Rather than relying solely on traditional garment production, the H1 portfolio includes projects in clean energy, automotive, heavy industry, infrastructure, and tourism. Major investments are being channeled into wind, solar, and biomass power plants, alongside an electric vehicle assembly plant, a motorcycle factory, and a car tire manufacturing facility. The infrastructure sector sees new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and a flagship five-star hotel.
This diversified pipeline builds on a historic 2025, which saw Cambodia approve 630 fixed-asset projects worth $10 billion-a significant 45% increase from the previous year.