Cambodia Eyes $20 Billion Trade Target, Urges Vietnam to Invest in Raw Material Processing

PHNOM PENH, Sept 15, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has urged Vietnamese investors to build processing facilities for raw materials such as cashews, cassava, and rubber, moving beyond simple export of primary products. This call was made by Chea Vuthy, Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), during talks with a Vietnamese business delegation led by Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu. Vuthy emphasized Cambodia's strong potential in agriculture and agro-industry, urging investors to process raw materials into finished products domestically. He highlighted cashew nuts, cassava, rice, rubber, and timber plantations as priority sectors. He reiterated the commitment to achieving the $20 billion bilateral trade target set by the leaders of both nations and outlined Cambodia's investment climate and support policies. Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu praised the CDC and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association for organizing the meeting and commended efforts to resolve challenges faced by Vietnamese investors. Company representatives presented proposals including a rubber wood furniture plant, an organic fertilizer facility, and a coffee plantation with a processing plant. Vuthy welcomed the proposed projects and encouraged firms to submit formal registration applications, noting the government's efforts to strengthen the CDC's one-window service for faster approvals. He also urged investors to prioritize environmental protection, social responsibility, and compliance with tax laws, stating that this would generate resources for infrastructure development and workforce training. The meeting is part of a series of engagements this month between Cambodian officials and foreign investors, as the country seeks to diversify into higher-value manufacturing and processing ahead of its planned graduation from Least Developed Country status in 2029.