Preah Sihanouk province is reviewing another wave of private investment as Cambodia continues efforts to strengthen the coastal province as a major business, industrial and tourism destination. At its 27th meeting on Tuesday, the Preah Sihanouk Province Investment Promotion Working Group reviewed 10 investment and business projects worth more than $42 million, with the projects expected to generate around 1,361 jobs.
The projects span a broad range of industries, including a special economic zone, furniture and furniture component manufacturing, plywood and parquet production, electrical appliance manufacturing and assembly, real estate, hotels and resorts, and serviced apartments. The latest review adds to a much larger investment pipeline supported by the working group since 2024, highlighting the province’s continued effort to attract investors while making government procedures easier and more transparent.
“Preah Sihanouk is building a broader investment base that goes beyond tourism, with more than $42 million in new projects under review and around 1,361 potential jobs on the horizon. The latest projects cover manufacturing, special economic zones, real estate, hotels, resorts and serviced apartments, reflecting the province’s growing economic diversity. Since 2024, the provincial investment promotion working group has facilitated procedures and approved incentives for 500 projects worth an estimated $8.47 billion, with the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs. Alongside investment approvals, authorities are working to simplify administrative procedures, improve access to infrastructure, resolve investor disputes and strengthen confidence. For businesses and investors, the direction is clear: government coordination and easier procedures are becoming central to Preah Sihanouk’s investment strategy.”
Ten Projects Worth More Than $42 Million Under Review
The latest 10 projects were reviewed during the 27th meeting of the Preah Sihanouk Province Investment Promotion Working Group. The meeting was chaired by Hean Sahib, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Working Group, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Representatives from relevant ministries and institutions, the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration and technical officials also participated. Their involvement reflects the multi agency nature of investment facilitation, where investors often need to work with several government institutions before projects can move forward.
The projects under review represent a diverse mix of economic activities. They include manufacturing operations, a special economic zone, property development and hospitality projects, giving the province potential growth across both industrial and service sectors. Together, the investments are expected to create approximately 1,361 jobs, adding employment opportunities alongside new business activity.
Manufacturing and Tourism Feature Strongly in the Investment Pipeline
Manufacturing accounts for an important part of the latest investment proposals. The projects include furniture and furniture component manufacturing, plywood and parquet production, as well as electrical appliance manufacturing and assembly.
The presence of these industries is significant because manufacturing investment can create demand across wider supply chains, including transportation, logistics, warehousing, construction, maintenance and professional services. For local businesses, new factories and industrial operations can therefore generate opportunities beyond direct employment.
The investment pipeline also includes real estate development, hotels, resorts and serviced apartments. These projects complement Preah Sihanouk’s position as a coastal tourism and investment destination while supporting demand for accommodation and property related services. The combination of industrial and tourism oriented investment could help create a more diversified provincial economy.
$8.47 Billion Investment Pipeline Since 2024
The latest projects are part of a much larger investment pipeline facilitated by the working group since 2024. From 2024 through August 2026, the working group approved incentives and facilitated procedures for 500 projects with estimated investment capital of $8.47 billion.
Those projects have the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs, demonstrating the scale of investment activity being handled through the province’s investment promotion mechanism. The figures also show that Preah Sihanouk’s development agenda extends well beyond individual projects and is increasingly focused on building an environment capable of supporting sustained investment.
Of the 500 projects, 217 were related to stalled buildings, while 243 were new projects or projects unrelated to stalled buildings. Another 25 were expansion projects and 15 were existing projects. This breakdown indicates that the investment effort is addressing both new economic activity and previously stalled developments.
Government Works to Remove Investment Barriers
Hean Sahib highlighted several achievements during the third quarter, including an update to the CamDX system that enables the automatic issuance of tax benefit certificates. The working group has also developed procedures for providing customs incentives.
These measures are intended to make investment administration more efficient and reduce unnecessary procedural delays. For investors, predictable processes can be just as important as financial incentives because delays in approvals, documentation or access to services can affect project timelines and operating costs.
The working group has also studied ways to simplify licensing procedures for duty free shops on Koh Rong. In addition, it has facilitated out of court dispute resolution for projects facing land boundary disputes. Resolving such practical issues is important because uncertainty surrounding land and licensing can create significant obstacles for businesses seeking to establish or expand operations.
Infrastructure Access Remains a Priority for Investors
The working group has also been working to ensure that investors can access water and electricity infrastructure effectively and transparently. Reliable utilities are fundamental to manufacturing facilities, hotels, commercial developments and other investment projects, making infrastructure access an important part of the investment environment.
The group has also supported the Techo Pedestrian Street project in cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions. While the project is separate from the investment approvals themselves, such initiatives contribute to the broader development of the province’s urban and tourism environment.
For investors considering Preah Sihanouk, infrastructure and public development are closely connected to the attractiveness of the business environment. Industrial investors need dependable utilities and logistics, while tourism and property investors depend on infrastructure capable of supporting residents and visitors.
Investor Confidence Depends on Government Coordination
Hean Sahib stressed that attracting investment and maintaining investor confidence require close coordination among government institutions. He called for stronger cooperation under the approach of “the vitality of a single actor system”, while urging relevant institutions to eliminate or reduce complicated administrative barriers.
The message places coordination at the centre of Cambodia’s investment facilitation efforts in Preah Sihanouk. Investors may interact with multiple government agencies during the development and operation of a project, making coordination essential for resolving issues quickly and avoiding unnecessary administrative complexity.
Sahib also urged institutions to work directly together to address challenges faced by investors. This approach could help create a more predictable environment for companies while strengthening confidence among both existing investors and potential new entrants.
Investors Are Encouraged to Seek Incentives Free of Charge
The working group has encouraged businesses and investors to submit applications or requests free of charge when seeking special incentives, coordination and procedural facilitation.
The message is particularly relevant to investors who may be unfamiliar with Cambodia’s investment procedures or uncertain about where to seek assistance. By encouraging direct applications without fees for these facilitation services, authorities are signalling an effort to make investment support more accessible.
For businesses considering Preah Sihanouk, understanding the available incentives and government support mechanisms could therefore be an important part of project planning. Investors may also benefit from engaging with the relevant authorities early when they encounter licensing, infrastructure, customs, land or other procedural challenges.
Preah Sihanouk Continues to Position Itself for Investment
The latest $42 million in projects adds another layer to Preah Sihanouk’s expanding investment story. Manufacturing, hospitality, real estate and supporting infrastructure are developing alongside the province’s established tourism potential, creating a more diverse economic landscape.
The larger figure of $8.47 billion across 500 projects since 2024 provides an indication of the scale of investment facilitation taking place. Whether all proposed and approved projects ultimately reach full operation will depend on implementation, financing, market conditions and the resolution of individual project challenges, but the continued pipeline points to sustained investor interest.
What the Investment Push Means for Cambodia’s Coastal Economy
Preah Sihanouk has an important role in Cambodia’s broader economic development because it combines coastal tourism, industrial activity, real estate and infrastructure development. The latest projects demonstrate that investors are looking across multiple sectors rather than focusing on a single area of the economy.
For entrepreneurs and established businesses, new investment can create opportunities to participate in supply chains, provide services to investors and workers, and develop complementary tourism and commercial activities. For policymakers, the challenge will be maintaining investor confidence while ensuring that development is supported by reliable infrastructure, efficient administration and effective coordination.
Conclusion
Preah Sihanouk’s review of 10 projects worth more than $42 million, with the potential to create 1,361 jobs, is another sign of the province’s continuing investment drive. The projects cover manufacturing, real estate, hospitality and special economic zone development, adding diversity to an economy already positioned around tourism and coastal development.
More importantly, the government’s approach is increasingly focused not only on attracting capital but also on making it easier for investors to operate. Faster procedures, better infrastructure access, dispute resolution and stronger coordination could determine whether investment interest translates into successful projects and lasting economic benefits. With $8.47 billion in investment projects facilitated since 2024, Preah Sihanouk is building significant momentum. The next challenge is turning that pipeline into productive businesses, quality jobs and sustainable economic growth for the province and Cambodia as a whole.