CAMBODIA: Sihanouk Province Granted Multi-Purpose SEZ Status

The country’s southwest Preah Sihanouk province has been granted multi-purpose Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status. The province is home to Cambodia’s only deep-water port, where approximately 80% of Cambodia’s exports pass through the port. Commencing in early 2022, a 14.5-metres-deep container port, capable of receiving ships with a 5,000 TEU container capacity, is to be constructed within the new SEZ. 

As of September last year, Cambodia had established 46 SEZs, seeing them as a key channels for FDI. Overall, Preah Sihanouk has attracted the largest amount of such investment, with the province now home to nine SEZs. In terms of appeal to investors, such zones are seen as benefiting from better infrastructure and more efficient logistics chains than other parts of the country. In addition, businesses operating from SEZs are eligible for government support, as well as a number of income tax, customs duty and VAT incentives, while also being able to access a one-stop service for imports and exports.