AKP Phnom Penh, February 09, 2026 --

The proposed Cambodia-Japan Green Special Economic Zone (C-J GSEZ) was highlighted as a key initiative to attract Japanese investment and position Cambodia as a new industrial manufacturing base during a meeting between the Cambodian Prime Minister and the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet received Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, for a courtesy call and working discussion at the Peace Palace on Monday morning.

During the meeting, Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe briefed Samdech Thipadei on ERIA’s research regarding the establishment of a C-J GSEZ, describing it as a promising proposal to attract Japanese investors. He noted that the initiative would not only contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth but also help strengthen regional and global industrial production chains.

He also informed the Prime Minister about the upcoming Cambodia-Japan Business Forum, which aims to promote trade and investment cooperation and attract more Japanese investors to Cambodia. According to Prof. Watanabe, several Japanese companies are currently seeking opportunities to relocate production within the region and are exploring new investment prospects in Cambodia.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei expressed his pleasure at meeting Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe and his delegation again and highly appreciated the results of ERIA’s feasibility study on the C-J GSEZ.

The Premier further emphasised that the Royal Government of Cambodia is focusing on the development of Green Special Economic Zones, as well as special economic zones dedicated to specific partner countries and industries.

In this context, Samdech Thipadei encouraged ERIA to continue working closely with relevant ministries and institutions, particularly the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), as well as the private sector in both Japan and Cambodia, to examine the most appropriate model for establishing a bilateral or trilateral special economic zone.

By Heng Panha