Phnom penh: In the first three quarters of this year, the Cambodian Investment Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) approved 546 investment projects, a surge of 73 percent compared to the same period last year. According to a press release issued this afternoon, the number already exceeds the total approved projects in 2024 by 132.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the newly approved projects represent a combined investment capital of US$7.8 billion, up 47 percent year-on-year. They cover sectors including industry, agriculture and agro-industry, tourism, and infrastructure, and are expected to create about 376,000 jobs for the locals.

China remains the leading investor in Cambodia, followed by investors from Cambodia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Kampong Speu and Svay Rieng provinces topped the list of investment destinations, attracting 125 and 122 projects, respectively.

In 2024, Cambodia approved 414 projects worth US$6.9 billion, an increase of 40 percent from US$4.92 billion in 2023, generating over 320,000 jobs.