On World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, Australia celebrates the resilience and innovation of Cambodian MSMEs.

In Cambodia, small businesses power the economy - making up 90 percent of all businesses, driving two-thirds of GDP, and employing 70 percent of the workforce.

Through the Cnai Accelerator Cambodia the Australian Government is supporting start-ups like Cam Agro with business training and seed funding. Cam Agro partners with smallholder farmers, offering fair prices and predictable orders — helping families like Kong Neam’s earn stable incomes and keep their children in school.

Australia is proud to stand with Cambodia’s MSMEs as they build brighter futures across the country.  🌱

🎥 Watch the video to learn more about the program 

Australia Convened High-Level Dialogue on Cambodia’s Economic Future

Through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), Australia hosted a high-level policy dialogue on Cambodia’s economic growth and diversification. Keynote speaker Professor Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard University joined senior Cambodian officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to explore pathways for sustainable, inclusive, and diversified growth. 
 
In this 14-minute conversation, Professor Hausmann discusses Cambodia’s recent economic growth and prospects, explores the importance of economic diversification for resilient and sustainable development, and the roles of development partners working in Cambodia.   
 
Australia is committed to promoting strategic policy dialogue for a stronger, more prosperous Cambodia.

https://youtu.be/j9dJGzAAsiw

Australia supports Cambodia to unlock its cashew industry potential

Did you know Cambodia is the world’s second-largest producer of raw cashews? 

In 2024, Cambodia produced over 880,000 tonnes of raw cashews, yet less than 10% is processed locally, with most being exported. This creates an opportunity to add value through local processing, boosting sales and benefiting farmers, processors, and communities. 

Australia is working with the Cambodian Government to develop policies to support investors in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors. Through our flagship CAPRED program, we support small- and medium-sized producers to increase their processing capacity, attract more investment and help expand their markets internationally.   

Watch this video to learn more about Cambodia’s cashew potential. 
https://youtu.be/cbH8hU4_JuA 

Australia, through Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), invited Professor Ricardo Hausmann, founder and director of Harvard’s Growth Lab, to Cambodia in February to lead a high-level workshop on economic diversification strategies and to meet with leaders from government, development partners and the private sector. 
 
Professor Hausmann closed his visit by sharing his reflections on Cambodia’s economic trajectory and priorities and Australia’s contribution in supporting Cambodia’s economic transformation.

To watch his full economic diversification presentation in Cambodia, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--3y3pX6uVw&t=177s

Australia hosted a high-level workshop on 20 February 2025 that explored growth strategies for diversifying Cambodia’s economy and enhancing its resilience, supported by CAPRED. The event featured Professor Hausmann, Founder and Director of Harvard’s Growth Lab, renowned for his expertise in Growth Diagnostics and Economic Complexity.

Presided over by H.E. Sun Chanthol, H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, and H.E. Derek Yip, the workshop brought together government officials and development partners to advance strategic policy discussions.

This initiative underscores Australia’s commitment to Cambodia’s economic growth and resilience.

For more information about Professor Ricardo Hausmann and Harvard's Growth Lab, visit the links below: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/ricardo-hausmann | https://growthlab.hks.harvard.edu/
Learn more about CAPRED:
www.capred.org | www.youtube.com/@CAPREDProgram

More than 500 delegates from government, development partners and the private sector came together at this year’s CDRI’s Cambodia Outlook Conference 2025 to discuss how Cambodia can achieve high-quality, sustainable economic growth in an increasingly challenging global context. 

Australia, through CAPRED, was proud to be the exclusive sponsor of this important forum.

How should Cambodia sustain and accelerate economic growth, despite economic, geopolitical, and environmental pressures? What new strategies are needed, and how should policies be implemented effectively? 

Top leaders from government including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, development partners, research institutes and the private sector will gather in Phnom Penh on 4 March to explore these questions and more at the 2025 Cambodia Outlook Conference. 

Australia through CAPRED is the exclusive supporter of this year’s Cambodia Outlook Conference. This reflects our continuing commitment to meaningful policy dialogue that drives results.

Australia is working closely with Cambodia to expand access to clean piped water. Over the past decade, we have supported nearly 100 clean water infrastructure projects, bringing clean water to more than 1.2 million rural Cambodians.   
 
In Kampong Thom this week, Ambassador Yip visited an Australian supported water treatment plant and met residents who now have access to clean pipes water in their homes. 
 
📹 Watch the video to see the impact of this program! 

Laser land levelling is revolutionising Cambodia’s rice industry, boosting productivity and preparing farmers to face climate challenges. This advanced technology ensures precise field levelling, conserving water, reducing costs, minimising pests, and improving rice quality and yield. 

With Australia’s support, Mr Meun Sor, a laser land levelling pioneer in Banteay Meanchey, has expanded his business from 3 to 100 hectares annually.  

Many Cambodian farmers rely on costly chemical products, putting their health and the environment at risk. To address this issue, Australia partners with the private sector to introduce the use of agricultural drones.
 
Ms To Kosal, a drone service provider in Battambang, has helped more than 80% of local farmers adopt this technology. With her fleet of drones, she is empowering farmers to:
🪲 combat pests efficiently to minimise crop damage
💧 conserve water
🌱 lower chemical use
👨‍ reduce negative health impacts on workers
🌾 increase productivity.
 
As demand soars, Ms. Kosal is expanding her operations to better serve her community. Through the CAPRED program, Australia is working to support the use of agricultural drones in other areas of Cambodia, contributing to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic growth.