Cambodia 20251124
Mekong Memo Cambodia Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Headlines:
Trump Tariff Theater Resets Bilateral Ties
Border Disruption Tests Business
Fair Labor Program Wraps After Five Years
Free TVET Training Transforms Lives
Scam Operations Making Moves Abroad
EU Indo-Pacific Forum for Digital Cooperation
India Backs IT Training for Monks and Students
Koh Kong Roads to Unlock Ecotourism Potential
Malaysia Pushes Phnom Penh Trade Mission
Austrian Ambo Wraps Term With Optimism
Trump Tariff Theater Resets Bilateral Ties
Relations between the U.S. and Cambodia have shifted under the Trump administration, moving away from the Biden (and earlier)-era focus on democracy and human rights. In April 2025, Trump slapped a 49% tariff on Cambodian goods, but by August, the figure was reduced to 19%, and in October, a bilateral trade deal was agreed to that allowed zero tariffs on U.S. goods entering Cambodia. In November, Secretary of State Marco Rubio lifted an old arms embargo, crediting improved cooperation on defense and security. The bilateral Angkor Sentinel military exercises have been picked up again after nearly a decade. It seems that most agree that the changes have been driven by American interests in the Indo-Pacific rather than any particular commitment to democratic values.
Read more: Camboja News (Tariff Timeline), Khmer Times (Military Exercises)
Border Disruption Tests Business
Cambodia Entrepreneurship Day 2025 was run earlier this month. Recent supply-chain disruptions, especially those resulting from tensions at the Cambodia-Thailand border, were front and center. Government leaders praised the adaptability of local entrepreneurs as being critical for the maintenance of product availability during hard times. Discussions focused on barriers that limit local firms’ scalability - ideas about biz formalization, improved financial records, and governance were batted around as ways to increase investor trust.
Read more: Cambodia Investment Review
Fair Labor Program Wraps After Five Years
Oxfam and local partners wrapped up their five-year project to improve the agricultural sector through policy influence and inclusive governance, called the “Fair for All” program. The National Social Security Fund reviewed and renewed its inspection mechanisms to improve access to justice for workers through new complaint procedures, and the setup of transparent systems for workplace grievances.
Read more: Khmer Times (Program Completion), Khmer Times (Government Commitment)
Free TVET Training Transforms Lives
Kay Levy, an Indigenous Bunong baker from Ratanakiri, and Soy Sovanmoniroth, a former online clothing seller, have completely changed their lives through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. Levy started Kay Bakery in Phnom Penh in 2022. Sovanmoniroth enrolled in a free barista course at NIEI and made the shift from selling clothes online to operating Emoji Café, with plans to expand the shop into a bakery-café. Both entrepreneurs shared how important practical skills are today in a competitive job market. The demand for trained workers continues to rise - in Cambodia, the informal economy contributes more than 40% to GDP and employs 85% of the workforce.
Read more: Cambodianess
Scam Operations Making Moves Abroad
Prince Holding Group, a Cambodia-based Chinese firm designated by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of the largest criminal organizations in Asia, has set up at least three companies in Japan since 2022. Prince Japan, a consulting firm established in 2023, and Canopy Sands Development Japan, a real estate firm formed in 2024, are both associated with allegations of international fraud and human trafficking. The companies are suspected of laundering earnings from crime, with evidence connecting them to financial crimes in South Korea and Taiwan. Separately, law enforcement this week arrested 28 people suspected of running online scams. Authorities grabbed 47 desktop computers, 25 mobile phones, and 12 passports; the hunt continues for the masterminds.
Read more: Straits Times (Japan Operations), Khmer Times (Bavet Raid), Indian Express (Money Laundering)
EU Indo-Pacific Forum for Digital Cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea took part in the Fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels on November 23. Sixty-seven countries and EU institutions were in attendance. The forum opened up conversations on security priorities, economic security, digital connectivity, and other future initiatives. Sok spoke of the importance of aligning ASEAN’s vision for 2045 with the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, particularly in the arenas of digital economy and cybersecurity. Bilateral talks were also held with Lithuania’s vice minister of foreign affairs, recapping previous consultations and laying the groundwork for future cooperation opportunities related to human resource development.
Read more: Khmer Times
India Backs IT Training for Monks and Students
India opened the Cambodia–India Friendship IT Center at Samdech Preah Mahasangharajah Bour Kry University on November 15, 2025. The center will provide digital training for Cambodian monks, educators, and students as part of the Quick Impact Project under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework. Similar facilities have already been opened at Preah Sihamoniraja Buddhist University. The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework runs ten Quick Impact Projects each year in sectors including education and health; 64 projects have been completed to date.
Read more: Cambodianess
Koh Kong Roads to Unlock Ecotourism Potential
The government started a road development project in Koh Kong Province to improve ecotourism access. The project will result in the construction of ~32 kilometers of road connecting tourism sites and communities under the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project. Tourism Minister Huot Hak said that ecotourism should be considered Cambodia’s “green gold.”
Read more: Travel and Tour World
Malaysia Pushes Phnom Penh Trade Mission
Malaysia is going to run an export acceleration mission from November 25 to 27, led by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation. The mission will take aim at Malaysian exporters in FMCG, food and beverages, personal care, detergents, agricultural, and petroleum-based products, which align with Cambodia’s increasing demand for quality goods. Networking sessions are scheduled with the Malaysian Business Chamber in Cambodia, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia. Trade between the countries is up 35.3% so far this year, driven primarily by demand for processed food and industrial supplies.
Read more: Bernama
Austrian Ambo Wraps Term With Optimism
Senator Hun Sen took time to meet with outgoing Ambassador Wilhelm Maximilian Donko this week to acknowledge his contributions to Cambodia-Austria relations. Hun Sen praised Donko’s role in improving ties, especially as related to demining efforts and Austrian support for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. Donko shared hopes for more trade and was keen to mention the investment potential that is coming from expected visits from Austrian investors who will be looking for local opportunities.
Read more: Khmer Times
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