Investment

Cambodia has great potential for development
when it comes to overseas selection

Investment process
Investment Q&A

Focusing on common doubts of investors, aiming to help them clarify and optimize their decisions.

Q:Does the Cambodian government encourage foreign investment?

A:In recent years, the Cambodian government has continuously introduced new policies to improve the business environment, including allowing foreign investors to hold 100% of the shares and providing tax incentives for investment in key industries. In October 2021, the Cambodian parliament passed the "New Investment Law", which simplifies investment procedures, increases tax incentives, and provides more preferential treatment to industries that meet national development needs, encouraging investment and achieving industrial diversification development goals. Hun Sen's eldest son, four-star general Hun Manet, was officially appointed as the new leader of the government by Cambodian King Sihamoni on August 7, 2023, with the vision of elevating Cambodia to the ranks of high-income countries by 2050. This requires economic development and strong encouragement of foreign investment.

Q:What are the competent authorities for foreign investment matters, and what are their specific functions and responsibilities?

A:The Council for the Development of Cambodia, CDC, abbreviated as "CDC", is a one-stop service agency for the Royal Government of Cambodia to supervise and manage cooperation and development, private investment, and economic zones. Zhejiang Special Economic Zone is a special economic zone established with the approval of the Development Council. The President of the Development Council of Cambodia is concurrently held by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, while the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Commerce respectively serve as Vice Presidents.

Q:What are the laws, regulations, and policy documents related to foreign investment in the special zone? Can you briefly introduce the basic provisions related to this project?

A:The government encourages foreign investment in various industries in Cambodia, including special industries such as finance. On August 4, 1994, the first National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia passed the Investment Law of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Q:How is the social security situation in Cambodia?

A:The Royal Government of Cambodia attaches great importance to maintaining national security and social order, and the overall social security and safety situation is good. But there are also some hidden dangers, such as robbery and theft cases still occurring. Although urban areas and most rural areas have been cleared, there are still minefields in the northwestern provinces. There are no anti-government armed groups in Cambodia, and there have been no terrorist attacks or kidnapping incidents directly targeting Chinese enterprises.

Q:Can the Cambodian government ensure the necessary social order and personal and property safety of relevant personnel for the normal production and operation of foreign-invested enterprises?

A:The government protects legal investors and foreigners who abide by the law and respect local customs according to law.

Q:Why invest in Cambodia?

A:The first transfer of industries from west to east contributed to China's rise; The second transfer of industries from north to south brings a once-in-a-century dividend. 1) Geographical location, hub center: Cambodia is a hub in Southeast Asia, the center of the ten ASEAN countries, surrounded by nine ASEAN countries, and closely connected by sea, land, and air transportation. 2) Investment environment, harmonious and stable: Cambodia is the only Southeast Asian country with US dollar settlement and free foreign exchange import and export, without foreign exchange controls or exchange losses. Adhere to a policy of permanent neutrality and non alignment, and maintain friendly relations with most countries in the world. 3) Trade status and unique treatment: This is a rare dividend highlighted by industrial transfer. Cambodia joined the WTO in 2004 and has not yet encountered trade barriers such as developed countries' "double anti" policies. 28 countries/regions including the United States, the European Union, and Japan provide Cambodia with Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) treatment. 4) Dividend accumulation and cost advantage: The average age of Cambodia's population is 27 years old, of which the labor force accounts for 64.3% of the total population, indicating sufficient labor force. The minimum wage standard for Cambodia in 2024 is $204 per month (six days a week), which is a significant advantage for labor-intensive enterprises.

Q:What are the investment incentive policies for foreign-invested industrial enterprises in Cambodia?

A:★ Exemption from export tax for product exports; ★ Exemption from corporate income tax for 3 to 9 years; Profit used for reinvestment is exempt from income tax; ★ Allow the employment of foreign experts and technical workers; ★ Exemption from import tariffs on equipment and raw materials; ★ No foreign exchange control, allowing free entry and exit of foreign exchange; ★ Allow foreign investors to have 100% ownership of the enterprise; Intangible assets used in production or processing can be subject to special depreciation.

Q:Are there any restrictions on the investment ratio for foreign investors coming to Cambodia? What is the minimum capital requirement for a limited liability company and a joint-stock company?

A:The Cambodian Investment Law stipulates that foreign investors are allowed to hold 100% of the investment. The minimum registered capital for a limited company or joint-stock limited company established through general commercial registration is $5000, but there are no preferential policies. Companies approved by the CDC enjoy discounts, generally with a registered capital of $500000 or more.

Q:How to remit investment funds from Chinese Mainland to Cambodia?

A:Registration and filing of overseas investment for Cambodian companies: When domestic enterprises invest in enterprises from other countries and regions, whether it is establishing new companies, building new projects, or acquiring equity, as long as it involves directly or indirectly obtaining ownership, control, management rights, etc. of overseas companies, they need to file for overseas investment. If a company's overseas investment involves sensitive countries, regions, or industries, approval management is required. Process: (1) Domestic enterprises need to prepare the materials for applying for ODI filing in advance, including materials for Cambodian companies; (2) Bring the application materials to the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission for approval or registration; (3) Obtain the record of the local branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange; (4) Finally, you can go directly to the local bank to handle foreign exchange procedures and achieve overseas investment.

Q:What is the currency of Cambodia?

A:The official currency of Cambodia is KHR, and the US dollar (USD) is the common currency in Cambodia. 90% of bank deposits and credit are in USD. Cambodia is the third largest country in the world in terms of US dollar assets, and the local currency in circulation is the US dollar.

Q:What are the laws, regulations, and policy documents regarding land transfer, development, and construction?

A:At present, Cambodian law stipulates that the subject of land transfer and acquisition must be a person with Cambodian identity, and it is not ruled out that the law may be amended in the future to allow investment institutions to obtain land ownership qualifications. Under current legal regulations, investors can designate agents to invest in Cambodia, obtain Cambodian identity, and own land in their personal name or invest in joint ventures (with a 51% or more equity ratio) to own land in the name of the company. Land can also be leased without the need for Cambodian identity. The lease term of the leased land is 50 years, and it will be automatically extended for 49 years after expiration. The rental price is the same as the purchase price of the land.

Q:What are the regulations regarding the duration of land ownership? (such as permanent or 99 years)

A:The land ownership is permanent (Cambodian registered residence, can be purchased, etc.), and can also be leased for a term of 49 to 50 years.

Q:What taxes and fees are involved in the land transfer process, and what are the tax rates? Do I still need to pay taxes and fees annually after acquiring land ownership through transfer?

A:Land transfer only involves registration tax at the time of transfer, with a tax rate of 4%. After acquiring land, there are two types of taxes involved: (1) land idle tax, with a tax rate of 2%; (2) Real estate tax, with a tax rate of 0.1%, levied on assets with a value exceeding $25000;

Q:Is there a distinction in the nature of land (such as industrial land, commercial land, etc.), and can the nature of land use be changed? If a piece of land is divided and transferred, can ownership certificates be obtained separately?

A:The nature of land is divided into agricultural land, industrial land, etc. The nature of the land can be changed, with approximately 400 riels per square meter (1 US dollar=4000 riels). A piece of land can be divided into several land certificates and transferred separately.

Q:Environmental requirements. What are the laws, regulations, and policy documents related to environmental protection for industrial enterprise construction and production in the Cambodia Special Economic Zone? Do four waste recycling and processing enterprises have relevant requirements?

A:There are mainly "Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management Law", "Solid Waste Management Sub laws", "Water Pollution Control Sub laws", and "Sub laws on Controlling Air Pollution and Noise Interference".

Q:Please introduce the relevant environmental impact assessment approval process, required materials, approval cycle, and difficulty level;

A:Similar to the domestic process, a third-party environmental impact assessment agency is commissioned to conduct an environmental impact assessment report, which is submitted to the park. The approval procedures are handled by the park, and the costs are borne by the enterprise. During this period, discussions should be held with local residents, village chiefs, and/or district chiefs to revise the environmental impact assessment report as required.

Q:Please provide relevant environmental standards or emission standards for the wastewater, exhaust gas, solid waste, and noise generated during the production process;

A:The emission of pollutants by enterprises must comply with internationally recognized standards. Regarding sewage discharge, after pre-treatment in the factory area, it enters the sewage treatment plant in the park for centralized treatment and standard discharge. The discharge outlet of the park's sewage treatment plant can achieve high standards for fish farming.

Q:Is it necessary to pay environmental protection tax/carbon emission tax? If so, please provide relevant standards;

A:No need to pay.

Q:Is the recycling and processing of four wastes qualified?

A:Only the Zhejiang Special Economic Zone in Cambodia has the qualification for recycling and processing waste metal, waste plastic, waste paper, and power batteries (the only one). The four scrapped licenses are currently being processed and are expected to be officially approved in September.

Q:What are the labor wages, benefits, and social security in Cambodia? How is overtime pay calculated? (For reference only)

A:Cambodia implements the Labor Law jointly formulated by the International Labour Organization and the Cambodian government. Cambodia has a six day workweek, with 8 hours of work per day and no more than 2 hours of overtime per day. Salary: Basic salary of $200 in 2023 and $204 in 2024 (an increase of 2%); Welfare: $26=$13 transportation allowance+$13 Chinese meal allowance; Social security: $10 per person per month; Insurance: Based on the monthly salary, pay 0.8% of work-related injury insurance and 2.6% of medical insurance. Overtime pay: 1.5 times the regular overtime, 2 times the Sunday overtime, and 2 times the statutory holiday overtime pay.