Cambodia Sees Surge in Foreign Investment Assets Reaching Over 176 Trillion Riel in First Nine Months of 2025

• 6 January 2026
• Local News
• 1184 Views

National Bank of Cambodia reports a seven percent increase in foreign assets as direct investment inflows climb significantly during the third quarter

Cambodia’s investment landscape has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth through the first three quarters of 2025, with total foreign assets climbing to more than 176 trillion riel. This performance represents a robust increase of over 7 percent compared to the previous quarter, according to the Balance of Payments Statistics Bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2025 released by the National Bank of Cambodia on January 2, 2026. While foreign assets saw a significant upward trajectory, foreign liabilities also experienced a modest rise, reaching more than 303 trillion riel, which marks a growth of over 1 percent compared to the second quarter of the year.

The third quarter of 2025 was particularly notable for the surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Cambodia. Data from the central bank indicates that direct investment reached approximately 6.479 trillion riel during this three-month period alone. This figure represents an impressive increase of 1.546 trillion riel, or more than 31 percent, compared to the investment levels recorded in the second quarter. The steady flow of capital suggests that international investors maintain a high level of confidence in Cambodia’s economic stability and its long-term potential within the regional market.

A deeper analysis of the investment sources reveals that China remains the dominant player in Cambodia’s economic development. Investment from China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, accounted for approximately 43 percent of the total FDI stock. Other major contributors included South Korea at 11 percent, Vietnam at 7 percent, Singapore at 6 percent, and Japan at 6 percent. The remaining 21 percent of investment originated from a diverse range of other international partners. These investments have been strategically funneled into vital sectors of the economy, with the financial sector receiving 32 percent of the capital, followed by manufacturing at 30 percent, real estate at 11 percent, and hotels and restaurants at 8 percent. The agricultural sector and other industries collectively absorbed the remaining 19 percent of the funds.

The continued growth in manufacturing and financial services highlights Cambodia’s successful transition toward a more diversified and industrialized economy. Government officials and economic analysts view these statistics as a testament to the effectiveness of the country’s open investment policies and improved infrastructure. By attracting significant capital into both the service and production sectors, Cambodia is positioning itself as a competitive hub for trade and finance in Southeast Asia. As the nation moves into the final stages of the fiscal year, the central bank expects these positive trends to provide a solid foundation for continued macroeconomic growth and currency stability.

• Bank and finance
• NBC
• Economic and finance
• FDI