Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Poipet Expressway: Cambodia’s $4.2 Billion Game Changer for Business and Connectivity.

In a country poised for rapid economic transformation, Cambodia’s third and most ambitious expressway project is set to revolutionize the landscape of domestic and regional trade, tourism, and investment. The Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Poipet Expressway, a $4.2 billion mega infrastructure initiative, is more than just a road—it is a new lifeline that promises to redefine connectivity across Cambodia’s key economic and cultural corridors.

Backed by a completed feasibility study and currently awaiting final governmental approval, the expressway will run from Win-Win Boulevard in Phnom Penh through Siem Reap, the kingdom’s cultural heartbeat, and terminate in Poipet, a bustling border city linking Cambodia with Thailand. Spanning approximately 400 kilometers, this expressway will be the longest and most impactful highway ever constructed in the country.

In this story, we dive into the full story of this expressway—from its conception and construction plans to its economic implications—and explore how it will supercharge local and regional businesses across multiple sectors.

The Road to Cambodia’s Third Expressway

Cambodia’s expressway development journey began with the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway, inaugurated in 2022. It was a landmark project, cutting travel time and boosting logistics efficiency between the capital and the country’s most important deep-sea port. The success of this initial project laid the groundwork for the second expressway, Phnom Penh–Bavet, which connects Cambodia to Vietnam and is currently under construction.

Also read: What is Cambodia’s National AI Strategy? Why Does It Matter for Your Business?

Now comes the third and most ambitious leg in this national development plan: the Phnom Penh–Siem Reap–Poipet Expressway, also known as the PP–SR–Poipet Expressway. Spearheaded by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the expressway is part of a broader national goal to improve transportation networks, stimulate economic growth, and enhance Cambodia’s integration into regional supply chains.

According to Cambodia’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, the expressway’s feasibility study has been completed, and the government is preparing to greenlight the project in the near future. The expressway will cover a distance of about 400 kilometers, reducing the travel time between Phnom Penh and Poipet from 8–9 hours to around 5 hours, with Siem Reap becoming a key stopover hub along the route.

Route and Key Stops: A Strategic Blueprint

The expressway will start at Win-Win Boulevard in Phnom Penh, pass through Skun in Kampong Cham, then continue to Siem Reap, before reaching Poipet, a vital border city in Banteay Meanchey Province.

This route was deliberately chosen for both economic and strategic reasons:

• Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s economic, political, and population center.
• Siem Reap is the cultural heartland and a global tourism magnet, thanks to Angkor Wat.
• Poipet serves as a vital trade gateway with Thailand and connects to major highways into Bangkok.

This alignment creates a high-potential economic corridor linking domestic and international trade routes, tourism destinations, and emerging industrial zones.

10 Ways the Expressway Will Benefit Local and Regional Businesses

1. Boosting Domestic Trade and Logistics

Currently, transporting goods from Phnom Penh to Poipet takes over 8 hours on congested national roads. The expressway will dramatically reduce delivery times and logistics costs. It will streamline the movement of agricultural products, textiles, electronics, and machinery across provinces, improving supply chain efficiency for local manufacturers, exporters, and importers.

“Time is money in logistics. This expressway will cut delivery times in half, which can transform our competitiveness,” said Chan Boramey, a logistics consultant based in Phnom Penh.

2. Empowering SMEs Along the Corridor

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey, will benefit from increased accessibility. Farmers will be able to bring products to markets faster, artisans can access more tourists, and food producers will reach national retailers more easily.

Increased connectivity also means rural entrepreneurs will gain better access to financing, training, and digital tools from the capital and international partners.

3. Reviving and Reimagining Siem Reap’s Tourism Sector

Post-pandemic, Siem Reap has been eager for a tourism revival. The expressway will make it significantly easier for both local and international tourists—especially those coming via Phnom Penh or Thailand—to travel to Siem Reap. Travel times from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will fall from 6–7 hours to just around 3.5–4 hours.

Tour operators, hotels, and local artisans will benefit from more predictable travel patterns and increased visitor volumes. Weekend travel will also surge, encouraging a boom in short-stay domestic tourism.

4. Strengthening Regional Integration with Thailand

Poipet, which borders Thailand’s Sa Kaeo Province, is a major cross-border trade and transit point. The new expressway will reinforce this economic bridge by facilitating smoother flow of goods, services, and people between Cambodia and Thailand.

With upgraded transport logistics, Cambodia will attract Thai businesses seeking cheaper labor and access to Vietnam, creating new opportunities for industrial parks and service hubs along the corridor.

5. Enhancing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Infrastructure is a key determinant for foreign investors. The expressway will make Cambodia more attractive for regional and global investors looking to set up operations in central and northern Cambodia.

Industrial zones and special economic zones (SEZs) in Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, and Poipet are likely to see new investment in manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and renewable energy.

6. Job Creation and Human Capital Development

The construction and operation of the expressway are expected to generate thousands of jobs—from engineers and technicians to local suppliers and service providers. Once operational, the increased economic activity along the route will require a larger, more skilled workforce in tourism, logistics, retail, and maintenance sectors.

“Infrastructure creates both direct and indirect jobs. It changes the skill dynamics of entire regions,” said Sokha Neary, a Phnom Penh-based economist.

7. Unlocking Property and Real Estate Potential

Areas around major interchanges and rest stops—especially in Skun, Kampong Thom, and Siem Reap—are likely to become real estate hotspots. Investors are already eyeing these regions for hotels, gas stations, logistics centers, and housing developments.

Also read: How the Kra Canal Could Impact Cambodia’s Logistics System and Economy?

The expressway will also reduce congestion in urban centers by encouraging suburban development in areas along the corridor.

8. Catalyzing E-Commerce and Digital Economy Growth

Faster and more reliable transportation will support Cambodia’s growing e-commerce ecosystem. Online retailers will benefit from faster delivery times and wider reach, especially to previously underserved provinces.

This will also encourage more people in rural areas to engage in online selling, digital payments, and mobile logistics platforms.

9. Climate Resilience and Green Transport Opportunities

Although roads can increase carbon emissions, expressways like this one—with regulated traffic flow and better fuel efficiency—can actually lower emissions per vehicle. The expressway can also serve as a testbed for green transport, including electric vehicle infrastructure.

“Strategic expressways with good design and rest areas can integrate solar charging stations and EV-friendly services,” said an official from Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment.

10. Strengthening National Unity and Accessibility

Finally, perhaps the most profound long-term benefit is social integration. The expressway will allow people from different regions—urban and rural, rich and poor—to connect more easily. Access to healthcare, education, and emergency services will improve significantly in underserved provinces.

Also read: Will Property Prices Around Techo International Airport Skyrocket? Find Out Now!

This kind of infrastructure not only boosts the economy—it helps build a more inclusive and connected nation.

Economic and Political Implications

At an estimated cost of $4.2 billion, the Phnom Penh–Siem Reap–Poipet Expressway represents one of Cambodia’s largest infrastructure investments to date. Much of the financing is expected to come through a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model involving Chinese partners, similar to the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville expressway.

Politically, the project underscores Cambodia’s ongoing partnership with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It also strengthens Cambodia’s ASEAN regional integration strategy, linking its trade and tourism sectors more deeply with those of Vietnam, Thailand, and beyond.

Development Timeline and What’s Next

As of mid-2025, the feasibility study has been completed and submitted to the Cambodian government. The project is awaiting formal approval and final agreements on financing, construction responsibilities, and timeline.

Assuming approval is granted in late 2025, construction could begin in early 2026 and take approximately 4–5 years, meaning the expressway may be operational by 2030—just in time to support Cambodia’s Vision 2030 goals for becoming a middle-income country.

A Road to the Future

The Phnom Penh–Siem Reap–Poipet Expressway is more than a transportation project—it’s a visionary national asset that will reshape Cambodia’s economic geography, empower local businesses, and deepen cross-border collaboration with Thailand. From farmers in Kampong Thom to hoteliers in Siem Reap and exporters in Poipet, the benefits will ripple far and wide.

If Cambodia hopes to compete regionally and uplift its citizens economically, such strategic infrastructure investments are essential. This expressway is not just a road—it’s a bridge to prosperity.

What do you think about Cambodia’s upcoming Phnom Penh–Siem Reap–Poipet Expressway? Do you believe it will bring long-lasting benefits to your community or business?

Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us for more updates on Cambodia’s infrastructure future.

Sources:

• Cambodianess – Expressway Awaits Go-Ahead
• Khmer Times – Feasibility Study Completed
• Construction & Property – Third Expressway $4B Plan
• The Better Cambodia – Boosting Cambodia’s Connectivity
• Kiripost – Boosting Economy and Tourism

Minutes after President Trump read out the reciprocal tariffs on April 3, all hell broke loose in most economies across the globe. Cambodia was imposed a staggering 49 percent tariffs. Trumpism at its worst – was what some leading economists told Khmer Times. In a way, they are not entirely wrong. But since then, two principal developments took place: One, Cambodia and the United States started negotiating to find an amicable way out. Two, as some avid watchers suggest, what if talks fail or what options are left with the Royal Government to address the crisis? It’s the latter that today’s Explainer discusses. As one of the top priorities, Cambodia must step up its economic diversification with a leading thinker suggesting that the Kingdom will have to focus on FDI emerging mostly from non-Chinese sources. Future diversification from intra-sectoral specialisation, or diversification within sectors, will make Cambodia more resilient, and “less heavy reliance on the US market alone”. An independent Cambodia can well bargain with the mighty US, but only to a certain degree.

Early this month, Cambodia, along with 90 other nations, woke up to shocking news. US President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs left the economies of many countries in mayhem.

A staggering 49 percent tariffs were imposed on Cambodia’s exports to the world’s largest economy.

For months, since President Trump assumed office, discussions on tariff onslaught dominated the meetings of ministries concerned and intellectuals in Phnom Penh, yet hardly anyone expected Cambodia to become one of the worst victims.

The impact of the Trumpism shock was so widespread that not only it was felt by the policymakers, entrepreneurs, diplomats or SME owners but also trickled down to the semi-skilled workers employed by the textiles, footwear and travel goods sector – one of the largest labour segments in the country estimated to be hosting nearly a million.

What will happen to Cambodia’s economy now? Will it affect the GDP growth? What about the LDC graduation that is scheduled to happen in 2029? Why did Trump take this step? Is Cambodia’s strong bilateral, diplomatic and economic ties with China the reason? Multiple questions continue to fill the air, though there seems to be no specific one-size-fits-all answer.

Making of Trumpism

Speaking to Khmer Times, Vikas Reddy, a researcher in economics and international relations at Ohio University, said Trump took the decision after believing his conservative advisors to boost the manufacturing sector and win over his core electorate.

“If you look at the people who voted in blocks to Trump, you can easily find that all Caucasians, African Americans, Asians and Latinos, who just had a high-school diploma or lower stood as his firm supporters. And this is his core electorate, who once formed the major working class in the manufacturing sector, be it automobiles, steel or electronics.

“With these tariffs in, Trump and his advisors believe that there will be a revival in the local manufacturing, boosting the goodwill of tycoon-turned President.”

Vikas said Trump also want to settle scores with Jerome Powell, who has refused to reduce interest rates citing inflation despite the President asking him multiple times to do so. “It’s more of an internal political battle than an external battle. Tariffs will certainly further fuel inflation, which has remained a great headache for the Fed Reserve in the last few years.

“Trump wants to end quantitative tightening and this is one of the ways to force Powell to do so.”

Vikas also singled out the ‘DOGE’ factor. DOGE is a new advisory body created by Trump and led by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who has been tasked with cutting US government jobs and other spending. Elon Musk has repeatedly said that he remains confident about DOGE finding $1 trillion in savings, slimming current total federal spending levels of about $7 trillion down to $6 trillion.

“Tariffs are supposed to generate $700 billion, though there are opposing claims, every year. And this would contribute towards reducing the fiscal deficit as envisaged by the DOGE.

“And the most important thing Trump and his team have done here is a policy gamble carried out to impress the middle-income population of the US though a growing number of American middle class now work in the services sector. It is an effort to make them believe that manufacturing jobs are returning to the US. Whether it will return or not is a different question though. The team also acknowledges that a strong manufacturing sector is highly essential to maintain the US military dominance, which is now being challenged by the Chinese might.”

“I think there are also some game theorists in Trump’s team, who believe in ‘escalation dominance’, which is a nation’s ability to control the escalation of a conflict, ensuring it can escalate or de-escalate the situation to its advantage. The concept is widely applied in geo-political and economic aspects. However, we have to wait until we find who will emerge as the winner of ‘escalation dominance’.”

Effect on Cambodia

What will be the effect on the Kingdom if these higher rates of tariffs are imposed? If implemented in full measures, it will have a direct impact on Cambodia’s GDP, reducing it by $1.5 billion in the very first year, according to reliable sources attached to the Royal Government of Cambodia.

“There is a high risk for factory closures and factory relocations within the textiles, apparel, footwear and travel goods sector, leading to huge job losses. Altogether, it will reduce the country’s domestic consumption while citizens engage in extra spending on foreign goods.

“Also hit by tariffs, Vietnam will definitely face a slowdown, adversely affecting the exports of raw materials from Cambodia. There will be a substantial decrease in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) with investors delaying projects due to uncertainty.

“A conservative prediction puts the decline in GDP between 0.3 percent and 6 percent. US tariffs will disrupt Cambodia’s preferential trade advantages.”

The sources also revealed that the Royal Government has been advised by experts and industry specialists to suspend taxes for factories to retain operations and pay workers. “Call to reduce electricity charges for factories and simplifying customs procedures for US shipments are among the advices placed before the government.”

“The country also needs to embrace structural reforms with major transformation in the logistics sector. It should focus on diversification leveraging free trade agreements and upstream integration to meet rules of origin.”

The sources emphasised that the tariffs will cripple low-margin businesses as well as agriculture. “It could also lead to a rise in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) along with high levels of unemployment due to large-scale factory closures.”

The way forward

The Royal Government will have to implement many measures to overcome the crisis, though the 90-day pause by Trump offers some relief for the country.

The Ministry of Commerce has said that a special committee has been set up under the leadership of Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, to negotiate with the US Trade Department over possible tariff reductions.

The Kingdom will have to implement many measures including short-term tax holidays, cash injections and energy subsidies to prevent layoffs across industries. Renewable energy adoption, streamlining logistics and boosting E-Governance will have to be put on a fast lane.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Dr Jayant Menon, a visiting senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute) in Singapore, earlier said, the focus on tariff war is likely to shift from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Made by China’.

“Cambodia will have to focus on FDI emerging mostly from non-Chinese sources. President Trump is likely to continue the trend that started with the recent measures announced by President Biden, which target ownership and nationality rather than the location of firms, in determining who to penalise.”

He emphasised that the Kingdom must make economic diversification one of its top priorities. “A key constraint in Cambodia is the lack of diversification of the economy, which has not affected the rapid pace of economic growth but only its inclusiveness and sustainability.

“The early phase of economic diversification involving rural-urban migration from the agricultural sector into the industrial and services sector may be reaching its limit.”

Jayant noted that future diversification will have to come from intra-sectoral specialisation, or diversification within sectors. “This involves the shift into higher value-added products and activities within the industrial, services and agricultural sectors.

“Unlike the early phase of industrialisation, this process is unlikely to happen naturally and will require government intervention and policy reforms. There are two major constraints that need to be addressed to enable greater intra-sectoral diversification in order to broaden the composition of exports.

“Efforts are needed to ensure that export markets are diversified so that there is less heavy reliance on the US market alone.

“The EU and other regional markets can definitely absorb exports from a small country like Cambodia. But it will take time.”

Economist Darin Duch said Cambodia should focus on its inherent advantages to overcome the crisis. “Although global tariff policies changes may affect consumer sentiments, Cambodia is making sure to keep its commitments to offer an open and predictable investment climate.

“To the contrary, many companies still see in the country its strategic importance, owing both to its population of young workers, advantageous geography, and reforms to improve the ease of doing business.

“In particular, Cambodia has been stepping up efforts to diversify its economy, especially in emerging industries (electronics, agro-processing and services) in order to help mitigate the risks of short-term impacts by global trade shifts. And they are actively negotiating for trade deals, including with important partners like the United States.

“Simultaneously, investments to enhance productivity, such as in skills development, digital infrastructure, and trade facilitation, are being stepped up. All of these efforts combined should help make Cambodia more competitive and keep its exports appealing amid changing global trade landscapes.”

The economist pointed out that in the medium to long term, Cambodia’s ongoing emphasis on industrial diversification and infrastructure development should underpin and broaden investment from global partners in line with the Kingdom’s strong commitment to an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.

“Despite the US and China being Cambodia’s trading partners, Cambodia is manoeuvring sharply to deepen regional and bilateral trade agreements and secure access to the markets. This can be seen in agreements such as the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the countries’ entrance into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and continued trade dialogues with the European Union and others.

“Asean is still a pillar of Cambodia’s trade an economic policy. Cambodia should continue to pursue to promote intra-Asean trade by continuing to closely cooperate with sub-regional partners to improve supply chain integration, standard harmonisation and utilise the RCEP framework to the fullest.

“Such deeper integration in the region, this advanced level of economic cooperation, will offer diversification of markets, more developed logistics, and collective resilience to external shocks.”

Potential export markets

Doris Liew, economist and public policy specialist, believes that Asean nations including Cambodia must turn this disruption into an opportunity to balance its economic interests and geopolitical considerations.

Expressing her opinions at the Lowy Institute, an independent think tank, she said: “Expanding the market share remains the only alternative.” But, how could it be carried out?

Doris finds BRICS (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) as the answer to this colossal question.

“Asean has already laid important groundwork in this direction. In 2024, several Asean member states, including Malaysia and Thailand, secured observer status in BRICS. At the same time, Asean countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have recently signed or are in the process of negotiating new trade agreements with the European Union, and the bloc as a whole has expanded economic cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“Collectively, these developments position Asean to respond to the US tariffs not by retreating inward but by stronger engagement with non-US markets. While the United States remains one of the largest importers of Asean goods, a broader diversification strategy would gradually reduce US influence in the region, both economically and politically.”

She is also hopeful that the US can’t sustain the implementation of reciprocal tariffs, especially with countries such as Cambodia, as “it remains unclear whether American industries have the capacity to absorb the resulting production shift, particularly in low-cost manufacturing sectors such as garments from Cambodia or downstream manufacturing goods from Vietnam and Malaysia”.

Before April 2, all pundits believed that Cambodia would benefit from Trump tariffs, and now they claim that Cambodia will be the most affected. History has many a time proved that economists, even renowned ones, have most often gone wrong with their models vis-à-vis real outcomes, beginning from the ‘The Great Depression’ to the ‘Sub-Prime Crisis’ and the ‘East Asian Crisis’.

The Cambodian top leadership has already started negotiating with the Trump administration to ensure a smooth and successful discussions on tariffs. We will have to wait and watch.

The article is firstly publihed on Khmer Times

Cambodia’s e-commerce sector is no longer a future promise—it’s a present-day force. With projections setting the market to exceed $1.78 billion by the end of 2025, according to the iTrade Bulletin (March 2025) from the Ministry of Commerce, the Kingdom is undergoing one of its most transformative digital revolutions. For business owners, digital entrepreneurs, and aspiring e-commerce founders, Cambodia’s trajectory signals a unique and profitable frontier in Southeast Asia’s expanding digital economy.

The Digital Surge Behind the Boom

At the heart of Cambodia’s e-commerce explosion lies a fusion of mobile connectivity, social commerce, and the widespread adoption of digital payments. Mobile and internet subscriptions reached 21.9 million in 2024, covering a significant portion of the population, according to the iTrade Bulletin. This connectivity has become the backbone of Cambodia’s online economy, empowering consumers to shop with unprecedented convenience and frequency.

Crucially, digital transactions have overtaken traditional cash-based methods. QR code payments now account for 47.15% of all transactions, followed by cash (26.5%), mobile money transfers (13.3%), and other digital methods (13.05%). Dominating this fintech revolution is ABA Bank, which holds a 46.89% market share, followed by ACLEDA Bank (30.9%) and Wing Bank (17.02%). These financial players are not just enabling purchases—they’re setting the pace for Cambodia’s digital economy.

The Social Commerce Wave

Cambodian consumers are deeply influenced by social media, with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Khmer24, and Taobao shaping purchasing behavior. In 2024, Cambodia recorded 11.65 million Facebook users and 9.96 million TikTok users—a staggering digital footprint for a nation of around 17 million people.

These platforms aren’t just tools for connection—they’re vibrant marketplaces. Fashion, cosmetics, and food products dominate the virtual shopping carts, with the average customer spending between $11 and $50 per transaction at least once per month. The visual and interactive nature of TikTok and Facebook has made them central to product discovery, reviews, and trust-building in the absence of large-scale local marketplaces like Lazada or Shopee.

E-Commerce’s Impact on GDP and Regional Influence

In financial terms, e-commerce contributed $1.51 billion, or 6.68% of Cambodia’s GDP in 2024, highlighting its critical role in national economic development (source: iTrade Bulletin, March 2025). While Cambodia represents 1.3% of the ASEAN e-commerce market—projected to grow from $116.36 billion in 2024 to $137.24 billion in 2025—this share is steadily climbing, illustrating Cambodia’s increasing integration into Southeast Asia’s digital trade ecosystem.

Logistics and Infrastructure: The Road Ahead

However, the journey isn’t without hurdles. The E-commerce 2024 Report identifies several key challenges that continue to impact consumer confidence and operational efficiency: product fraud, inconsistent quality, high delivery fees, and delays. Logistics bottlenecks remain a serious concern, especially for rural deliveries, exacerbated by limited warehousing space, poor digital infrastructure, and high transportation costs.

Despite these barriers, innovation is closing the gap. A wave of investments in digital tracking, third-party logistics (3PL), and smarter warehousing solutions are beginning to ease pressure on supply chains. Companies such as Vireak Buntham are leading the charge by offering faster delivery times and wider service coverage, including in-town delivery under an hour and cross-province shipping within two days, reflecting evolving consumer expectations.

Governmental Reforms Pave the Way

The Cambodian government is not sitting idly by. In response to the sector’s growing economic impact, policymakers have implemented robust legal and administrative frameworks to support e-commerce players. Among these are:

• A national e-commerce law providing legal clarity for online transactions
• Trust mark systems to verify and build consumer trust in e-commerce vendors
• Streamlined VAT registration for digital businesses
• Digital literacy programs to empower entrepreneurs and consumers
• Roadmaps for digital governance and private sector engagement

These reforms signal that the government sees e-commerce as a pillar of Cambodia’s future economy—not a passing trend.

Rising Demand for Smart Devices and Electronics

The country’s love for online shopping is also fueling demand for tech hardware. According to Ministry of Commerce data, imports of electrical and electronic equipment reached $1.951 billion in 2024, marking a 23.7% year-on-year increase. Mobile phones alone accounted for $604.6 million, a figure driven by the need for better devices to participate in the digital economy—whether for social media, digital banking, or e-commerce selling.

This hardware boom represents a golden opportunity for importers, tech retailers, and digital services providers who want to tap into a tech-savvy and hungry consumer base.

The Rural Opportunity

While urban Cambodia—especially Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville—dominates e-commerce activity, rural regions remain largely untapped. The E-commerce 2024 Report notes that limited digital skills and inadequate infrastructure hinder online business expansion in provinces. However, this gap also represents one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Entrepreneurs and service providers who invest in last-mile logistics, regional fulfillment centers, and rural digital education will find themselves ahead of the curve.

What This Means for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs?

For local and foreign investors, the message is clear: Cambodia is ripe for e-commerce innovation. Whether you are running a digital storefront, managing logistics, providing payment solutions, or importing tech devices, the ecosystem is maturing fast.

The following areas offer the most promising business potential:

• Third-party logistics (3PL) with fast and reliable last-mile delivery
• Social commerce solutions for sellers using Facebook Live and TikTok
• E-commerce platforms and marketplaces tailored to Cambodian needs
• Digital marketing agencies that specialize in Khmer-language content
• Payment gateways and fintech apps that support mobile transactions
• Warehouse and fulfillment center development, particularly outside Phnom Penh
• Import and retail of smartphones and digital tools

Cambodia’s Digital Decade Has Begun

With a fast-growing digital population, a supportive government, and a hunger for online goods and services, Cambodia is entering a golden age of e-commerce. The projected $1.78 billion in revenue by 2025, the surge in mobile-driven transactions, and the country’s increasing integration into ASEAN’s digital economy make it an attractive destination for e-commerce investment.

But the road to success requires more than just a Facebook page or a product listing. Businesses must embrace reliability, digital literacy, fast logistics, and consumer trust as core pillars. As the infrastructure improves and digital tools become more accessible, those who adapt early will reap the biggest rewards.

Sources:

• iTrade Bulletin, March 2025 – Ministry of Commerce
• E-commerce 2024 Report – General Department of Taxation (GDT)
• Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications – 2024 telecom data
• ASEAN e-commerce market data – ASEANStats 2024