Event Details
Date: 7–8 July 2025
Location: Osaka, Japan
Organized by: ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) and Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)
Executive Summary
Held alongside Cambodia National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Cambodia Business Mission in Kansai 2025 brought together Cambodian investment authorities and Kansai-based Japanese firms to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Co-organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), the two-day mission highlighted Cambodia’s evolving investment landscape and aimed to foster interest in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, digital services, and logistics.
Reference materials: Law on Investment (Japanese, PDF) | Cambodia’s Priority Sectors (PDF) | National Development Plan Summary (PDF)
Highlights
On 7 July, CDC held bilateral government-to-business (G2B) meetings with eight Japanese companies. These one-on-one sessions enabled targeted discussion on investment prospects and policy support.
A firm with education operations in Cambodia shared how its Japanese-language and IT training programs are helping address Japan’s projected shortfall of 800,000 IT engineers by 2030 while building Cambodia’s digital workforce. Another company emphasized the urgent need to develop over 255,000 skilled workers to meet the demands of upcoming investments.
In the agro-industry, companies explored opportunities to scale exports of dried fruits and cashew products. Logistics-focused discussions highlighted the importance of cold chain infrastructure, including investment prospects at Phnom Penh new airport.
On 8 July, the delegation visited the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and JETRO Osaka, both of which affirmed support for future cooperation. OCCI proposed hosting the upcoming Cambodia Investment Roadshow in Osaka, while JETRO expressed alignment with Cambodia’s focus on digital transformation and workforce development.
Challenges and Opportunities
Throughout the discussions, several challenges were raised by Japanese companies. These included a shortage of skilled labor, and a need for more robust post-investment support. Companies also noted the gaps in Cambodia’s logistics and digital infrastructure, which need to be addressed to enable sustainable investment.
On the other hand, the CDC emphasized a number of emerging opportunities. These include Cambodia’s “Plus-One” strategy for companies seeking to expand production beyond Vietnam and Thailand, the country’s growing digital economy, and strong government incentives for IT, green energy, logistics, and workforce development. Cambodia’s commitment to clean energy, already accounting for 62% of its supply and targeting 100% by 2050, was also viewed as a competitive advantage.
Institutional Cooperation and Next Steps
To sustain momentum from the mission, the ASEAN-Japan Centre will undertake a series of follow-up initiatives. These include organizing sector-specific investment seminars in Japan, facilitating a business mission to Cambodia for interested Japanese firms, and supporting the operationalization of the Business Co-creation Team (BCT). In addition, the Centre plans to conduct follow up activities this year, further promoting awareness of investment opportunities in Cambodia in the Kansai region and beyond.
Conclusion
The Cambodia Business Mission in Kansai 2025 underscored the strong potential for Cambodia–Japan economic cooperation. By creating tailored opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, the mission helped lay the groundwork for long-term partnerships that align with Cambodia’s sustainable development goals and Japan’s regional investment interests. With Osaka Expo 2025 on the horizon, the mission served not only as a timely engagement but also as a strategic milestone in the evolving bilateral relationship.
For more information or to join future events:
Country Strategic Support Team
info_cs@asean.or.jp
