AKP Phnom Penh, January 13, 2026 --

H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), granted an exclusive interview to Nikkei Asia at noon on Jan. 13.

Nikkei Asia is one of the world’s leading economic and political news outlets and a key source of information for international investors and policymakers. The CDC said the decision to grant the interview reflects a strategic effort to convey a strong message to the global business community regarding Cambodia’s enhanced credibility, expanding opportunities, and competitive investment advantages.

During the interview, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol highlighted several strategic pillars central to Cambodia’s economic development agenda. These included updates on the Kingdom’s investment climate, emphasising its political stability and flexible legal framework, which offers attractive incentive packages aimed at maximising foreign direct investment (FDI).

He also underlined Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its industrial structure, noting a strategic shift from a garment-focused economy toward higher value-added sectors such as electronics assembly, food processing, and the automotive industry.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister outlined Cambodia’s resilience amid global economic volatility, citing continued investments in strategic infrastructure, the development of specialised vocational training to build a skilled workforce, and the acceleration of digitalisation in public service reforms to better respond to global economic fluctuations.

On regional stability, H.E. Sun Chanthol reaffirmed the Royal Government’s diplomatic stance and strategic approach to Cambodia-Thailand border issues, stressing the importance of transforming border areas into zones of peace and fostering economic cooperation for mutual benefit.

According to the CDC, this interview stands as a testament to the openness and readiness of the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the visionary leadership of Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister to collaborate closely with international partners. By engaging with high-caliber media platforms like Nikkei Asia, Cambodia aims to bolster confidence and attract high-quality investments to drive sustainable national economic growth and achieve the Cambodia Vision 2050 of becoming a high-income nation.

By C. Nika