Locking in Future Dividends: Cambodia Welcomes New Engine of Development, All-Round Value Release on a Hotbed of Capital

News Bulletin!
Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport Set for Official Launch on September 9, 2025!

Techo International Airport Rendering

This $1.5 billion airport, constructed by a Chinese company and ranking as the world’s ninth largest, spans over 2,600 hectares. Designed to the international 4F standard, it can accommodate large aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. The terminal, runway, and related supporting facilities are largely complete, with final equipment调试 (debugging/commissioning) underway. The new airport is expected to handle 13 million passengers annually with potential for future expansion, positioning it as a new aviation hub for Southeast Asia. The official inauguration ceremony is scheduled for October 20, with Prime Minister Hun Manet in attendance.

On the streets of Cambodia, a common scene unfolds:
Beside ancient pagodas in the morning, monks walk on alms rounds; while in nearby cafes, groups of young entrepreneurs from Europe and Asia hold meetings. Tradition and modernity intertwine here, making this “Kingdom of Wonders” not just a traveler’s destination but increasingly a place where expatriates choose to settle down.

Phnom Penh Street Scene

Some are drawn by the warm community atmosphere, others by the open business environment. It attracts not only tourists but also a growing number of expatriates looking to live, invest, and develop long-term.

Phnom Penh Street Scene

Investment Opportunities Beyond Tourist Hotspots

Over the past two decades, Cambodia’s economy has maintained an average growth rate of around 7% (Source: World Bank data), earning it the title of “one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia.”

*Image: GDP Total and Growth Rate Chart 2011-2025*

The capital, Phnom Penh, is the most vivid microcosm: traditional shophouses continue to support local life, while not far away, skyscrapers, international shopping malls, and Grade A office towers constantly redefine the city skyline.

Royal Palace

Siem Reap, besides being a pilgrimage site for global travelers to the Angkor ruins, now attracts investors in boutique hotels, art and cultural projects, and long-term rental apartments, diversifying the town’s industrial landscape.

Siem Reap Scene

In Sihanoukville, national-level special economic zones, resort clusters, and seaside apartment projects are accelerating, gradually developing into a crucial window for Cambodia to connect with international capital and the tourism market.

Sihanoukville Scene

More notably, is the accelerated entry of international companies:

International Companies Entering

Manufacturing: BYD is building an electric vehicle plant in Sihanoukville (scheduled for operation in 2025); China’s Hongdou Group co-invested in developing the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ).
Communications & Infrastructure: China Railway Group / CCCC constructed the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, Cambodia’s first expressway (opened 2022), and are involved in new airport, railway, and other infrastructure projects; Huawei collaborates with Cambodian telecoms to promote 5G network and digital economy construction, becoming a key supplier of communication infrastructure.
Services: Malaysia’s Tan Chong Motor manages the Nissan sales network; ANZ Royal Bank operates in major cities nationwide; AirAsia Cambodia commenced operations in 2024; Hotel groups like IHG, Accor, and Hyatt continue expanding in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap.

BYD Factory

These tangible business establishments are driving Cambodia’s industrial upgrading, consumption upgrading, and internationalization process, accelerating the release of long-term value. The market is quietly undergoing a qualitative shift from “tourist consumption” to “urban demand from international long-term residents.”

Cooperation Forum Inauguration Ceremony

Foreigners can legally own freehold apartments. Compared to the heavily restricted policies of neighboring countries, Cambodia offers overseas investors truly ownable assets.

New Choices for Overseas Investment

Cambodia’s investment appeal lies not in resembling others, but in its uniqueness:

1. Dollarized Economy

Cambodia is one of the few dollarized economies in Southeast Asia. Property transactions, rental returns, and investment income are all denominated in US dollars. For investors, this reduces uncertainty from exchange rate fluctuations and provides USD cash flow. Amid global trends for diversified asset allocation, dollarization adds certainty and convenience to Cambodia’s real estate market.

Image: Generic Financial Illustration

2. Open Foreign Policies

Foreigners can legally own freehold apartments. Compared to the heavily restricted policies of neighboring countries, Cambodia offers overseas investors truly ownable assets.

Luxury Hotel Apartment Photo

3. Expanding International Atmosphere

Over 300,000 expatriates currently live here, driving comprehensive demand in education, healthcare, dining, and housing. International school systems range from IB and Cambridge to American curricula, forming the 配套 (supporting infrastructure) for long-term settlement.

Generic International Community Illustration

4. Rapid Infrastructure Development & Urbanization

Phnom Penh’s skyline is constantly changing, with new infrastructure continuously being delivered. For example:

The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has reduced travel time between the two cities to 2 hours.
The new Phnom Penh airport, operational from September 9, 2025, is planned as the world’s 9th largest and Southeast Asia’s #1 super airport, significantly boosting its international gateway status.
Projects like the Sihanoukville Deep Sea Port and Phnom Penh Light Rail are advancing, supporting accelerated urbanization.

Techo International Airport Photo

Hidden Gems with Unleashing Potential

Real estate is the direct vehicle承载 (carrier) for all these changes.
Compared to Singapore, apartment prices in Phnom Penh’s core areas may be only one-tenth; compared to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, roughly half. Yet rental yields are more competitive:

Rental Yield Comparison Chart
This means investors can not only gain stable USD rental cash flow but also enjoy potential property appreciation driven by future urbanization.

Cambodia is moving towards long-term value

Cambodia is no longer just synonymous with emerging markets but is gradually becoming a long-term choice for investors and international families. The steady growth of the expatriate population, the continuous entry of multinational companies, and the accelerated progress in infrastructure and urbanization provide the underlying momentum for stable development.

Phnom Penh Modern Scene

For investors, Cambodia is a preferred location for USD asset allocation and high rental yields.
For expatriates and families, it offers international education, healthcare, and a livable environment.
For businesses, it is a strategic gateway into Southeast Asia.