— Agri‑industrial investment and food processing opportunities will take center stage at the upcoming Cambodia Investment Forum 2026 in Osaka, as the Kingdom seeks to attract more Japanese capital into value‑added agriculture and regional industrial development, officials said Monday.

Organized under the theme “Cambodia’s Investment Vision: Promoting Sustainable Growth and Strategic Partnership with Japan,” the forum is co‑hosted by the Council for the Development of Cambodia, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and JETRO.

JETRO chief representative Kohei Wakabayashi said Cambodia’s expanding production of rice, cassava, fruits, and cashew nuts creates major opportunities for Japanese firms with expertise in food safety, cold chain logistics, and advanced processing.

The forum will also highlight plans for a new Special Economic Zone in Kampong Thom province, part of Cambodia’s strategy to diversify industrial growth beyond Phnom Penh and border regions.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol is expected to deliver the keynote address at the June 12 event, which will draw between 30 and 50 Japanese companies. Panel discussions will cover trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.

Cambodia has emerged as one of the world’s leading cashew producers, though most output is exported raw. Kampong Thom alone produces nearly 200,000 tonnes annually. According to industry data, Cambodia exported more than 831,000 tonnes of raw cashew to Vietnam in the first four months of 2026, generating US$1.44 billion, up 24 percent year‑on‑year.

Japan remains a key partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$2.53 billion in 2025, a 17 percent increase from the previous year.

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By: Sopheng In