AGP Executive Report

Funan Techo Waterways: Cambodia’s Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project has secured nearly $1B in financing from China Exim Bank, with the river-to-sea corridor expected to cut transport costs and boost logistics for industry, agro-processing and tourism. Trade Momentum: Cambodia’s foreign trade hit $50.68B in the first eight months of 2026, up 20% year-on-year, driven by exports like garments, footwear and milled rice, supported by RCEP and bilateral FTAs. Investment Pipeline: The CDC registered 37 investment projects worth about $233M in August, targeting roughly 23,000 jobs, with China the top source of capital. Anti-Scam Crackdown in Gaming: Cambodia’s anti-scam commission has revoked 18 casino licenses tied to online scams and suspended nine more, with asset-freezing and seizure measures underway; Cambodia also plans to suspend online gambling at casinos from October. US Targets Xinbi: The US sanctioned Xinbi Guarantee and restrained about $52M in crypto linked to the Telegram-based scam marketplace, naming a Cambodia-based tech firm as a supporter. Aviation Growth: Techo International Airport welcomed nearly 2M international passengers in its first year and is expanding cargo and maintenance capacity. Media & IT Skills: India’s ITEC programme will train 15 Cambodian officials in new-age media and IT in New Delhi.

WTO Trade Dispute: Cambodia has joined an alternative WTO appeal arbitration arrangement, adding to a growing roster of participants covering over 60% of global trade. Aviation & Tourism: Techo International Airport welcomed nearly 2 million international passengers in its first year, with officials citing stable traffic and rising cargo volumes as it expands facilities. Investment Push: Cambodia approved $5.45bn in fixed-asset investment projects in the first eight months of 2026, with 346 projects expected to create about 200,000 jobs. Real Estate Fallout: The Land Management Ministry froze assets of tycoon Leng Navatra and Galaxy Navatra Group over a stalled borey project, after years of delays and protests by buyers. Education Signals: Cambodia reported major gains in PISA 2025—science up 52 points, math up 41, reading up 26—while the OECD warned global student performance is still sliding. Public Finance Watch: Cambodia’s public debt rose to $13.56bn in Q2 2026, with most debt external and new concessional loans signed during the quarter. Scam Crackdown Context: The week also saw renewed international action against cyber-scam networks tied to Southeast Asia, underscoring Cambodia’s broader anti-fraud push.

Casino Crackdown: Cambodia revoked 18 casino licences tied to online scam activity and suspended nine more pending investigations, as the CCOS steps up enforcement with the gambling regulator. Public Investment Oversight: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is drafting Standard Operating Procedures for Public Investment Management with EU4PFM support to boost transparency and fiscal discipline. EV & Digital Transport Push: Grab met Cambodia’s leadership to align on electric vehicle policy, charging infrastructure and app-based ride-hailing pricing frameworks. Tourism Investment Drive: Cambodia’s tourism ministry urged Korean partners to boost Korean visitor arrivals and investment, while highlighting the “Visit Cambodia in Green Season” campaign. Women’s Economic Rights: A World Bank report says legal gaps and weak enforcement limit women’s economic opportunities, with enforcement scoring far below the global average. Governance Reform Debate: Experts warn Cambodia’s civil service reform is stuck between political affiliation and professional neutrality. Trade & Investment Outlook: CDC’s Sun Chanthol laid out investment pillars for a predictable, partner-led environment at a China forum. Environment & Risk: A hydropower project in Phnom Kravanh National Park faces allegations of logging beyond approved zones, raising concerns for forest protection and climate benefits. Regional Business Context: Coverage also notes Cambodia’s export and enterprise growth momentum alongside wider regional education and governance updates.

Casino Crackdown: Cambodia revoked 18 casino licences and suspended nine more as part of the anti-online-scam drive, with the CCOS saying the sector is being tightened under a 2025 order. Online Gambling Pause: The government will suspend online gambling operations at all casinos from October while new rules and digital controls are built, warning that violations could trigger licence revocation. Investment Promotion: CDC First Vice Chairman Sun Chanthol urged Chinese and global investors to engage early and stay in dialogue, pitching Cambodia as predictable and investor-friendly at the Gulangyu Forum in Xiamen. Rice Finance: ARDB readied over $200M in revolving capital to back Cambodia’s rice value chain and help push exports toward 1M tonnes annually. Rice Exports Momentum: Cambodia’s rice exports jumped 67.5% to nearly 800K tonnes, earning about $464M in the first eight months. Tourism & Green Growth: Cambodia is ranked Southeast Asia’s top eco-tourism country by U.S. News & World Report, while ministers in Kampong Speu and Koh Kong mapped a green corridor eco-tourism push. Supply Chain Competitiveness: Commerce Minister Cham Nimul stressed environmental standards and worker welfare for garment exporters, citing factory compliance with global buyers. Regional Trade & Digital Policy: ASEAN’s digital economy pact (DEFA) still leaves many firms unsure what it means, and Cambodia is among markets surveyed. Education Watch: OECD’s PISA 2025 shows a global slide in reading and math, with Cambodia’s region facing broader skills pressure.

Rice Exports Surge: Cambodia’s milled rice exports jumped 67.5% to 792,212 tonnes in the first eight months of 2026, earning about $464m, with shipments to the EU, China and ASEAN driving the rebound. Business Growth: The labour ministry says Cambodia added 7,458 new enterprises, factories and companies over three years, lifting the total to 47,758 and pushing the workforce to around 2.31 million. Multi-Crisis Support Package: The government rolled out a $1.2b Comprehensive Intervention Program to protect jobs and livelihoods as growth slows, with the World Bank helping redirect existing funding fast. ARDB Rice Financing: ARDB prepared over $200m in revolving capital to support the rice value chain and help close a wider financing gap. Casino Crackdown: Cambodia will suspend online gambling at casinos from October while regulators tighten licensing and integrity checks amid anti-scam enforcement. Cyber & Scams Focus: Authorities also continue strengthening cybersecurity governance and fraud controls, including new approaches to reduce scam-linked financial flows. Trade & Logistics Push: Construction began on a $300m dry port and SEZ in Kampong Speu (Cambodia SuperPort) to upgrade warehousing, customs and supply-chain services. Education & Skills: PM Hun Manet marked National Literacy Day, stressing digital literacy and problem-solving as Cambodia prepares for a more technology-driven economy.

Casino Regulation Tightening: Cambodia’s gambling regulator (CGMC) is drafting a new “casino integrity and quality” suitability framework for license renewals, as authorities step up enforcement after the anti-scam crackdown and reports of casino-linked fraud. Anti-Scam Enforcement & Governance: The crackdown is also linked to a wider push to curb online gambling and illicit flows, while Cambodia’s King Sihamoni removed a Foreign Ministry adviser tied to an alleged visa scam involving foreigners linked to online scams. Economic Support Package: Cambodia launched a $1.2B “Comprehensive Intervention Program” to cushion households and businesses from multi-crisis shocks, with calls for clearer allocation and faster, more flexible delivery. Tourism & Business Linkages: The Ministry of Commerce held a 2026 Supply Chain Forum to connect farmers, MSMEs, distributors, buyers, supermarkets and digital platforms, and PATA Cambodia is running CTM 2026 mini-series to turn tourism promotion into direct sales. Digital Payments & Finance: SQRIL says it now supports banks and neobanks to let users scan-and-pay local QR codes across multiple regions, aiming to reduce cross-border payment friction. Identity & Elections: Cambodia’s NEC scheduled a 55-day voter registration drive using biometric deduplication ahead of 2027 commune/sangkat elections.

Agriculture & Rural Resilience: IFAD, the EU and EIB wrapped up an ASPIRE-AT supervision mission in Phnom Penh, assessing progress and pushing smallholder resilience and rural market participation ahead of a mid-term review. Tourism Market Access: PATA Cambodia readies CTM 2026 (Sept 6-12) linking Siem Reap and the Kampot-Kep coastal corridor, with 40 hosted buyers aiming to turn promotion into sales. Telecom Leadership: Cellcard/CAMGSM appointed Manu Rajan as CEO to strengthen operations and support Cambodia’s digital growth. Online Scams Crackdown: Cambodia’s PM inspected former scam sites in Koh Kong after a July 2025 crackdown, citing dismantled compounds, confiscated equipment and continued 24/7 monitoring. Cost of Living Pressure: A commentary flags Cambodia’s July 2026 inflation at 5.5%, warning it’s hitting household budgets hardest. Tourism Downturn: Cambodia’s international arrivals fell 46% year-on-year to 1.99 million in Jan-Jul 2026, blamed on scam-related negative publicity and border friction. Regional Connectivity: The World Bank and MPWT reviewed progress on the Cambodia Regional Connectivity Improvement Project, focusing on procurement, finances and safeguards. Business Diplomacy: Cambodia and Romania discussed expanding trade, investment and education, with a business delegation planned. Human Rights Watch: The UN Human Rights Council opened in Geneva, with Cambodia listed among countries to be addressed.

Tourism Shock: Cambodia’s international arrivals fell 46% year-on-year to 1.99 million in Jan–Jul 2026, with the Tourism Ministry citing negative publicity over online scam networks, Cambodia–Thailand border friction, and higher fuel costs from Middle East conflict. Anti-Scam Enforcement: The government says it has launched a “Comprehensive Intervention Program” to stabilize livelihoods and businesses with a $1.2B+ budget, while Prime Minister Hun Manet inspected former scam sites in Koh Kong after a July 2025 crackdown. Regional Connectivity: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the World Bank reviewed progress on the Cambodia Regional Connectivity Improvement Project, focusing on procurement, financial management, and environmental-social safeguards. Digital Payments & Business Climate: Cambodia’s broader push against fraud and scams comes as regional attention grows on digital transformation and cross-border cooperation. Youth & Skills: NASA Space Apps Challenge Phnom Penh 2026 opened registration, and an AUPP team won second place at the ASEAN ESG Challenge 2026, highlighting ESG and sustainable finance talent. Diplomacy for Trade: Cambodia’s ambassador to Romania met Romanian officials to map expanded economic partnerships, including industry and technology, with a business delegation planned.

Tourism Shock: Cambodia’s international arrivals fell 46% year-on-year to 1.99 million in the first seven months of 2026, with the Tourism Ministry citing negative publicity over online scam networks and friction along the Cambodia–Thailand border, alongside higher fuel costs from Middle East conflicts. Anti-Scam Push: Cambodia is positioning itself as a regional hub for enforcement, hosting an International Conference on Combating Online Scams on Sept. 23–24 and stressing cross-border coordination to break scam chains. Cybercrime Finance Watch: The US Treasury’s FinCEN traced about $12.7 billion in questionable crypto transfers linked to investment fraud operations tied to Southeast Asian scam compounds, including forced-labor settings. Trade & Jobs Angle: Cambodia’s apparel exports to the US rose 10.48% to $2.62 billion in Jan–Jul 2026, while broader US apparel imports declined 8.65%. Education & Skills: MoEYS will strengthen French training for primary and secondary teachers via the APPRENDRE program, including new teaching resources and ongoing upskilling. Business Diplomacy: Cambodia and France will co-organize the third Cambodia–France Business Forum in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16–17, targeting 400 participants and new partnerships.

Cambodia–France Business Forum: Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia (CCIFC) signed an MoU to co-organize the 3rd Cambodia-France Business Forum in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16–17, aiming to turn political ties into trade, investment and private-sector deals with about 400 participants. Anti-Scam Crackdown: Cambodia froze over $300M linked to online scams and sent 446 cases to court, with 3,927 accused across 29 nationalities; authorities also moved against 27 casinos tied to tech-fraud, including license revocations and suspensions. Tourism Pressure: Cambodia’s international arrivals fell 46% year-on-year to 1.99M in Jan–Jul 2026, blamed on online scam publicity and border friction, alongside higher travel costs. Crypto Fraud Watch (US/UK): The US and UK agreed to coordinate parallel probes to shut down scam centers behind crypto and romance investment frauds, many reportedly based in Southeast Asia. Education & Skills: MoEYS will strengthen French-language training for primary and secondary teachers via the APPRENDRE program, while the Skills Development Fund partnered with SEZ enterprises to boost workforce skills and industrial productivity. Trade & Jobs: Cambodia’s apparel exports to the US rose 10.48% to $2.62B in Jan–Jul, while Cambodia’s labour market continues to hinge on garment jobs and broader economic pillars.

Cybercrime Crackdown: Cambodia froze over $300M linked to online scams and sent 446 cases to court as part of a national anti-cybercrime push. Digital Economy & Security: The U.S. and U.K. signed a deal to pursue transnational crypto and romance scam networks, with many operations tied to Southeast Asia. Trade & Investment: Cambodia and France will co-organize the 3rd Cambodia-France Business Forum in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16–17, aiming to deepen economic ties with about 400 business participants. China Links: A China-Cambodia public-private dialogue in Phnom Penh focused on easing issues for Chinese-funded firms, including labor permits, taxes and customs clearance. Skills for Industry: Cambodia’s Skills Development Fund partnered with SEZ enterprises to boost workforce skills and industrial productivity. Agriculture Risk: El Niño pressure is hitting Cambodia’s coffee sector, with growers urged to strengthen irrigation and water management. Climate & Food Security: Drought eased in some rice areas after rain and water pumping, but farmers report late intervention, damaged crops and replanting costs. Defense Cooperation: Cambodia says it will resume joint exercises with the U.S. in Feb 2027 under Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027.

Climate & Agriculture: Cambodia’s coffee sector faces a fresh El Niño stress test as the Coffee Association urges small farmers to boost water management and irrigation to protect Robusta-heavy yields. Food Security: Drought relief is helping some rice areas after El Niño, but some farmers report late intervention, damaged crops, debts, and replanting costs. Trade & Industry: Cambodia exported 792,212 tonnes of rice worth about $464M in the first eight months of 2026, with fragrant rice leading; meanwhile, garment and footwear demand keeps pulling in raw materials and machinery. China Business Ties: Cambodia hosted the second China-Cambodia public-private dialogue and a China-ASEAN entrepreneurs summit, with officials pushing investor-focused fixes on permits, taxes, and customs. Aviation & Logistics: Air Cambodia expands cargo operations in Japan with AVIAREPS appointed as Cargo GSSA. Digital Economy & Scams: US FinCEN linked about $12.7B in suspicious activity to crypto “pig butchering” investment scams run from Southeast Asian compounds, including Cambodia. Governance & Rights: Human Rights Watch warns Cambodia’s commune law amendments could reduce opposition influence ahead of June 2027 elections. Security: Cambodia will resume joint drills with the US in February and its defence minister is set to visit Australia.

Rice Exports: Cambodia shipped 792,212 tonnes of rice worth about $464.17M in the first eight months of 2026, with fragrant rice leading and exports expected to hit 1 million tonnes this year. Trade & Investment Ties: The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Korea’s KOCHAM signed an MoU to boost business and protect Korean investment, while Cambodia and France agreed to co-organise the 3rd Cambodia–France Business Forum in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16-17. China Link: Cambodia and China pledged to deepen trade and investment and step up action against tech-based fraud, with an online-scam conference planned for Sept. 23-24. Scam Crackdown: Cambodia froze over $300M linked to online scam syndicates and referred 446 cases to court as authorities say they dismantled large-scale scam sites. Climate Finance: The Environment Ministry and UNDP are advancing around $47M for 20 climate and environmental projects. Digital Safety: UNICEF reports 20M children across 21 countries face online sexual abuse or exploitation each year, much of it via social media. Business Events: Park Hyatt Siem Reap will host “Masters of Khmer Flavors” (Oct. 8-10) featuring four top Cambodian chefs.

Online Scams Crackdown: Cambodia says it has frozen over US$300m in bank accounts tied to cyber-scam networks and sent 446 cases (3,927 suspects) to court, while authorities claim no large-scale scam compounds remain as operations shift to smaller sites. Trade & Investment: Cambodia and France will co-organise the 3rd Cambodia–France Business Forum in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16–17, aiming to pull in investors and partnerships. Bilateral Business: Cambodia–China pledged to deepen trade and investment and step up action against tech-based fraud, with an international online-scam conference planned for Sept. 23–24. Agribusiness: Cambodia’s milled rice exports jumped 67.5% to 792,212 tons in the first eight months of 2026, bringing US$464.1m revenue. Digital Government: The Public Works and Transport Ministry launched three digital services, including online vehicle inspection certificate renewal via partner banks and automated road licence applications. Climate Finance: The Environment Ministry and UNDP are pushing about US$47m for climate and environmental projects. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20m children (1 in 5) across 21 countries experience online sexual exploitation or abuse each year, with social media driving most cases.

Online Scam Crackdown: Cambodia froze over US$300M in bank accounts tied to online scam networks and sent 446 cases involving 3,927 suspects to court, after raids and seizures across hundreds of locations; authorities say no large-scale scam compounds remain, though smaller covert rings are shifting to rented rooms, guesthouses and apartments. Digital Economy & Finance: The crackdown comes alongside a push to tighten financial oversight, while Cambodia’s CamDX single-window approach is being used to streamline borey and condo approvals to reduce delays and investment risk. Jobs & Skills: Cambodia will hold a National Job and Productivity Fair (Sept 12-13) in Phnom Penh with 35,000+ vacancies from about 150 companies, offering on-site resumes and interviews. Education & Diplomacy: Cambodia’s ambassador to South Korea is seeking Cheju Halla scholarships for Cambodian students and diaspora, and Japan is reaffirming support for SME investment under a business co-creation framework. Business & Infrastructure Planning: MEF reviewed plans for an SME cluster/factory zone in Preah Sihanouk, pending land-issue resolution. Cyber Safety: UNICEF reports 1 in 5 internet-using youths (12-17) face online sexual exploitation or abuse, including Cambodia.

Court & Civic Space: Phnom Penh’s municipal court on Sept. 2 sentenced student leader Thy Thorn and two opposition activists, Soeung Kunthea and Mean Chanthon, to seven years over alleged plotting—despite Kunthea and Chanthon being recognized as refugees by UNHCR after arrest in Thailand. Anti-Scam Crackdown: Cambodia says it froze over US$300m tied to online fraud, sent 446 cases (3,927 suspects) to court, and shut down large-scale scam compounds—while experts warn fraud is shifting to smaller, covert rings. Labour Market: Cambodia’s labour force participation rose to 71.6% in 2025 (from 69.3% in 2019), with unemployment at 3.6% and informal work still dominating employment. Digital Infrastructure & AI: KIDZ AI signed to acquire a stake in Cambodia’s first Tier III national cloud data center, securing priority access to power-connected AI compute. Business & Trade: Vietnamese firms joined Cambodia Expo Series 2026 in Phnom Penh to connect suppliers and technologies with local supply chains. Regional Logistics: Ground was broken on the Phnom Penh Logistics Complex in Kampong Speu, Cambodia’s second ASEAN SuperPort project aimed at boosting multimodal freight and digital trade processes.