Cambodia Investment Review
CanCham Cambodia hosted a business breakfast discussion on May 7, 2026, bringing together members of the Canadian business community and professionals in Phnom Penh for an exchange of views with Christian DesRoches.
Held at Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, the session focused on the opportunities and challenges facing Canadian-connected businesses operating in Cambodia and the wider region.
Business Community Discusses Key Growth Sectors
Discussions covered a broad range of sectors including tourism, energy, garments, agriculture, and cybersecurity, while participants also explored the upcoming Francophonie Summit and the opportunities it could create for business, trade, and regional engagement.
The breakfast formed part of CanCham Cambodia’s broader efforts to strengthen engagement between the Canadian private sector community and key stakeholders, while creating a platform for open dialogue on Cambodia’s evolving business environment.
Business leaders, professionals, and members of the Canadian community shared perspectives on market trends, operational challenges, and areas for future collaboration between Cambodia and Canada.
Canada-Cambodia Economic Ties Continue To Expand
Canada and Cambodia have maintained relations spanning decades, with Canada participating in the International Control Commission established in 1953 and later becoming a party to the 1991 Paris Peace Accords that helped end decades of conflict in Cambodia.
Canada has maintained a diplomatic presence in Phnom Penh since 1993, with the mission officially upgraded to a full embassy in March 2025 as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Trade and investment relations between the two countries have also continued to grow. Bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately $2.4 billion in 2024, up from $2.1 billion in 2023, with Cambodia remaining one of Canada’s top import partners in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia benefits from Canada’s Market Access Initiative for least developed countries, allowing quota-free and duty-free access to the Canadian market for qualifying exports. Cambodia’s exports to Canada are largely driven by apparel, footwear, and textiles, while Canadian exports to Cambodia include vehicles, mineral ores, meat products, and fur skins.
Canadian direct investment abroad in Cambodia was valued at approximately $2.9 billion in 2024, highlighting growing economic engagement between the two countries.
CanCham Cambodia thanked attendees for contributing to what it described as a valuable and constructive discussion focused on strengthening business and community ties between Cambodia and Canada.
