Synopsis: Svay Rieng province is experiencing steady growth in private investment, thanks to a combination of security, stability, and government measures designed to encourage business.
Svay Rieng’s growing network of special economic zones (SEZs) is fast becoming a cornerstone of Cambodia’s industrial expansion, drawing new investment, boosting exports and creating thousands of jobs for local workers.
The momentum was highlighted when Chea Vuthy, Secretary General of the Cambodia Investment Board under the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), led an inspection of key SEZs in Svay Rieng Province on Saturday.
The Saturday visit assessed infrastructure upgrades, development progress and challenges facing private operators, according to a statement released by the CDC.
CDC reported that Svay Rieng now hosts 13 operational SEZs which have registered strong growth, effectively absorbing investment and generating employment for Cambodian citizens, especially workers returning from Thailand.
Several zones are busy completing infrastructure and factory construction, with new plants expected to commence operations soon. In newer SEZs such as Huaxiang International, enterprises are already producing semi-finished goods for export to China for final manufacturing – a development hailed as a positive sign for Cambodia’s evolving industrial sector.
According to the CDC, these achievements reflect the dedication of SEZ developers and rising investor confidence in the Kingdom’s economic policies. The continued expansion of SEZs in Svay Rieng is expected to further strengthen Cambodia’s competitiveness as a manufacturing and export hub in Southeast Asia.
CDC reported in January 2025, the country has a total of 52 special economic zones (SEZs), of which only 28 are currently operational. In Svay Rieng province, 12 SEZs are active, hosting around 280 investment projects with a combined capital of approximately $3 billion, and providing employment for over 100,000 workers.
Svay Rieng province is experiencing steady growth in private investment, thanks to a combination of security, stability, and government measures designed to encourage business.
Speaking at the provincial hall in earlier this September, the Provincial Governor Peng Pursa said that the province’s peaceful environment, the result of the Royal Government’s win-win policy, has been key in attracting both domestic and foreign investors. These investments have supported the development of special economic zones, factories, and enterprises across the province.
“Peace and security, along with effective government policies, have positioned Svay Rieng as an attractive destination for investment,” Governor Pursa noted.
The province now hosts 13 special economic zones, with 12 fully operational — the highest in the country. It is also home to 1,052 factories, enterprises, and private companies, alongside 2,626 small, medium, and handicraft businesses.
“Together, these enterprises employ more than 135,000 people, significantly boosting incomes and living standards across the region,” he said.
Authorities say the sustained growth highlights Svay Rieng’s rising role as a key economic hub in southeastern Cambodia, with continued focus on investor-friendly policies and sustainable development.
Svay Rieng Province, which shares a border with Vietnam, is emerging as a strategic international gateway for trade and investment, Lor Vichet, Vice President of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA) told Khmer Times.
Vichet said the province’s appeal goes beyond its geographic location. “The factors that drive Svay Rieng Province to attract numerous economic zones are not only its position as an international gateway, but also the province’s favourable infrastructure for transporting goods in and out,” he explained. “Another factor that cannot be overlooked is the abundant labour force and the electricity supply, which is sufficient for factories and enterprises.”
Highlighting the province’s strategic proximity to Vietnam, he added, “Vietnam has a population of nearly 100 million. This allows companies not only to export goods to Europe, the United States, and other international markets, but also to sell directly into Vietnam, a fast-growing economy in the ASEAN region.”
Vichet noted that government policies designating Svay Rieng as an industrial pole have further bolstered its attractiveness for foreign direct investment. “When a province has many favourable factors along with supportive government policies, it naturally draws investment into its special economic zones,” he said.
He also praised the special economic zones themselves for facilitating business operations. “In addition to providing convenient infrastructure, the special economic zones offer simplified procedures, enabling companies to export quickly and efficiently once factories are established.”
