BUSINESS CHAMBER INVITES MALAYSIANS TO MOVE INTO CAMBODIAN HIGH-GROWTH SECTORS 

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysian investors have been urged by a top trade body to explore high-growth sectors in Cambodia that offer compelling advantages, from improved connectivity to the burgeoning consumer market. 

The Phnom Penh-based Malaysian Business Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) says it is time for Malaysian companies to shift from the traditional sectors and tap into the latent potential of the Cambodian economy.

“We have established a strong foundation in terms of diplomacy and trade with Cambodia this year, and 2026 will be a growing year. “Malaysians have been typically focusing on financial, infrastructure and telecommunication sectors. 

“I think it is time for Malaysians to come into the real industries like manufacturing, food processing, and high-end SMEs like the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) where Malaysia is good,” MBCC President Tan Khee Meng told Bernama recently.

That should be defined as Malaysia 2.0, said Tan, referring to Malaysians who came in the 1990s, after the end of the internal conflict, to explore business opportunities in the Kingdom, considered the first generation of investors. 

Malaysians have remained a critical investor in the Cambodian economy for over three decades, participating in key sectors such as power and telecommunications, construction, retail, and manufacturing.

Both economies are strong trading partners within the ASEAN ambit and also members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with 16 participating countries in Asia.

Malaysia's investments in Cambodia touched RM3.9 billion (US$961.4 million) during January-October this year, up 38.9 per cent compared to the previous year.

“Cambodia has a good advantage. It sits in a strategic location, sandwiched between bigger states. It is neutral and friendly to all member states of ASEAN.

“Malaysia and Cambodia have elevated their relations to a new level in 2025, much higher than what we built in the last three decades. We are at the peak now, with people-to-people, government-to-government and economically (better),” said Tan.

Leading Malaysian brands, including AirAsia, Smart Axiata (a subsidiary of Axiata Group Bhd), Malaysia Airlines, Tenaga Nasional, Sunway Hotel, Public Bank, CIMB, Maybank, RHB Bank, and Hong Leong Bank, have brought their expertise to Cambodia.

Tan said that the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute has affected the chain of supply to Cambodia, making Malaysia an alternative source for many products and services traditionally supplied by Thailand.

“Data is already showing that more Malaysian products are entering Cambodia, and we are expecting that bilateral trade between both countries will reach RM4.11 billion (US$1 billion) by the end of this year.

“This is very encouraging and showcases the trust and confidence of Cambodians in quality Malaysian products. This is the current sentiment, and Malaysians can become an alternative source of supply,” said Tan.

Cambodia’s economy has been projected to grow by 4.8 per cent in 2025 before easing to four per cent in 2026, according to a recent International Monetary Fund projection. 

It is home to a dynamic young consumer base, with nearly 60 per cent of its 17 million people belonging to Generation Z. 

-- BERNAMA