Hun Manet Says Investment Data Shows Global Shift Toward ASEAN
Hun Manet Says Investment Data Shows Global Shift Toward ASEAN
PHNOM PENH, March 4, 2026 — Global investment trends are increasingly shifting toward Southeast Asia, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Wednesday, citing data showing strong growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into ASEAN despite a global slowdown.
Speaking at the ASEAN–Cambodia Business Summit 2026 in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet said investment figures from 2024 to 2025 indicate a clear pivot toward the region. While global FDI declined by about 11%, investment flows into ASEAN rose 8.5% to $226 billion, he said.
Hun Manet said ASEAN has increasingly developed into a major hub for semiconductors, automotive engineering and digital services, driven by deeper regional integration and improved physical and digital infrastructure.
“The region is no longer merely an alternative destination,” he said, adding that for global companies seeking to diversify supply chains, ASEAN has become a strategic center for long-term sustainable growth.
Within this regional context, Hun Manet said Cambodia is positioning itself as a strategic partner among ASEAN economies.
Despite global economic uncertainty, Cambodia’s economy remained resilient, growing 5.2% in 2025, with strong medium-term prospects expected to create significant opportunities for trade and investment, he added.
The summit in Phnom Penh brings together regional policymakers and business leaders to discuss economic cooperation and industrial transformation across Southeast Asia.
