PHNOM PENH: The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday hosted a delegation from Hainan Province, China, to discuss strengthening economic relations and explore burgeoning business opportunities between the two regions. The working meeting took place on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Phnom Penh.
Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai, Vice President of the CCC, warmly received Mr. Hu Yusong, Executive Director of the Hainan Free Trade Zone Cross-Border Trade Chamber of Commerce, who led the Hainan Province Business Delegation. Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai represented Neak Oknha Kith Meng, the President of the CCC and Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Cambodia.
During the discussions, Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai emphasized the strategic significance of Hainan Province as a free trade port and underscored the considerable potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between Cambodia and Hainan. He highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations, asserting that Cambodia presents a compelling investment destination for Chinese investors. Key factors contributing to this attractiveness include Cambodia’s political stability, its strategic geographical location within the ASEAN region, a dynamic young workforce, access to preferential markets, and a business-friendly environment.
Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai further provided the Hainan delegation with an overview of Cambodia’s robust economic growth, promising opportunities across various sectors, and the current favorable investment climate. He actively encouraged Chinese investors to increase their investment in Cambodia, positioning the Kingdom as an optimal location for their ventures.
Both sides reached a consensus and outlined a collaborative framework aimed at fostering stronger business ties. As a concrete step forward, the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce announced its intention to organize a business visit to Hainan Province, China, in the near future. This visit will facilitate in-depth discussions with the Hainan Free Trade Zone Chamber of Commerce to explore specific areas of cooperation.
The discussions concluded on a positive note, characterized by a friendly and collaborative atmosphere, signifying a shared commitment to enhancing economic partnership.
The significance of Chinese investment in Cambodia was further underscored by the statistic that in 2024, China emerged as the top investor, contributing approximately 50% of the total investment capital received by Cambodia, amounting to a substantial US$6.9 billion. This highlights the existing strong economic links and the potential for further growth through strengthened cooperation with regions like Hainan Province.