PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s President of the National Assembly, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, on Wednesday welcomed a French investment delegation that announced plans to introduce a wide range of high-quality consumer products at competitive prices to the Cambodian market, signaling growing foreign confidence in the nation’s economic stability and potential.
Samdech Khuon Sudary received the delegation, led by François Guez, CEO of PL Vista and BY Vista, at the National Assembly Palace in Phnom Penh. The discussions centred on strengthening bilateral economic ties and potential cooperation opportunities.
Mr. Guez praised Cambodia’s remarkable socio-economic progress, attributing his company’s investment decision to the country’s steady development and expanding consumer base.
Under the project, the French firm plans to import an initial phase of approximately 400 product lines, sourced directly from manufacturers in France, encompassing hygiene, healthcare, household goods, and cosmetics. This selection is intended to expand to about 1,000 items in the near future, with commercial operations targeted to commence in early 2026.
“Direct sourcing from France will help keep prices in Cambodia broadly comparable to those in the French market,” Mr. Guez stated, emphasising the commitment to accessibility.
Samdech Khuon Sudary fully endorsed the French investment, noting the favourable timing following the recent release of the “Doing Business in Cambodia 2025-2026” guidebook by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia.
She highlighted the long-standing and evolving partnership between the two nations, which is anticipated to be elevated to a “strategic partnership” soon.
The National Assembly President stressed the close affinity between the two peoples, citing strong Cambodian consumer trust in French products and services, particularly in the health sector. She affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to improving the business climate through legislative reforms and strong oversight.
She also characterised Cambodia as more than just a domestic market, describing it as a strategic gateway to the Mekong region, Southeast Asia, and beyond. She noted the country’s membership in ASEAN (a market of 700 million) and RCEP (over 1 billion people) offers broad regional and global market access for investors.
Samdech Khuon Sudary thanked France for its longstanding contributions to Cambodia’s development, including job creation and skills transfer. France currently ranks as Cambodia’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$515.21 million in 2023.
During the talks, Mr. Guez also addressed the recent Cambodia-Thailand border tensions. While conveying sympathy for the loss of life and hardship, he affirmed that the situation would not deter the company’s investment plans or travel to Cambodia, underscoring strong commitment and confidence in the country’s future.