Cambodia aims to become an upper middle-income country by 2030, having achieved lower middle-income status in 2015. The Royal Government of Cambodia has embraced economic and market diversification and integration as a pathway to this prosperity. The Cambodia Trade Integration Strategy 2019–2023 of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation establishes a strong link between trade and poverty reduction, gender equality and inclusivity.
CAPRED helps the Royal Government of Cambodia to leverage existing and upcoming free trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement. Cambodia also has free trade agreements with China and the Republic of Korea, and takes part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Trade Organization.
CAPRED is working with firms along the value chain to promote Cambodia’s exports. We are assisting with export and branding strategies and identifying priority investments.
CAPRED supports Cambodia to develop a national quality infrastructure policy and strengthen quality infrastructure systems in the agriculture and food export sector. We are building capacity in the public and private sectors to implement standards, accreditation, metrology and conformity assessments. We also advocate to streamline and reduce costs and promote private sector participation.
Cambodia’s growth has been heavily reliant on foreign direct investment, particularly from China. As investment capital becomes scarcer, Cambodia must look at other streams, such as green finance.
CAPRED focuses on supporting national-level policies and legal and regulatory frameworks. Other investments are in our main work areas such as agriculture, climate resilience and infrastructure services.
The 2021 Investment Law offers incentives such as income tax and customs duties exemptions and will significantly engage women, people with disability and marginalised groups in trade and investment. CAPRED provides technical support to develop an implementation roadmap and increase awareness of the new law on investment.
CAPRED continues to support the Agri-Food Investment Desk (AFID) to develop proactive investment strategies and target investors. In 2023, CAPRED facilitated a successful AFID study visit to Australia. CAPRED also works to prepare small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investment readiness and opportunities.
CAPRED is building capacity in data collection on agriculture, particularly for the evidence base or business case for gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in agro-processing, trade and investment.
CAPRED is working with local SMEs to upgrade their investment readiness, strengthen their business governance and financial compliance, and match them with potential investors and investment funds through AFID.
CAPRED is also supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia to develop a user-friendly online process to streamline business registration. Nearly 90% of Cambodian enterprises are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. While these estimated 500,000 enterprises generate 70% of all employment, only 5% are formally registered. The process for registration is costly and complicated, with ongoing fees and licencing requirements. Registration is necessary, however, to access loans and import and export licences, and to establish a brand.
CAPRED offers several funding rounds and grant opportunities each year. They are
primarily open to businesses and organisations within Cambodia, in line with our
program
activities.
Rounds follow competitive processes with all applicants given similar consideration.
CAPRED offers several funding rounds and grant opportunities each year. They are
primarily open to businesses and organisations within Cambodia, in line with our
program
activities.
Rounds follow competitive processes with all applicants given similar consideration.
CAPRED offers several funding rounds and grant opportunities each year. They are
primarily open to businesses and organisations within Cambodia, in line with our
program
activities.
Rounds follow competitive processes with all applicants given similar consideration.
See our latest resources from across the CAPRED program.
View moreDid you know? Laser land levelling can help rice farmers boost yields and earn more income. Australia has collaborated with private companies in Cambodia to introduce laser land levelling. This technology helps farmers improve input efficiency, mitigate pest risks and increase rice quality and yield. Mr Ho Sokhy, a farmer from Banteay Meanchey province, decided to adopt laser land levelling after witnessing his uncle’s increased yields as a result. Using this technology, Mr Sokhy was able to save time and costs of water pumping, while increasing his rice yield from 1.5 to 6 tonnes per hectare. Australia through the CAPRED program is accelerating the adoption of technology to enhance Cambodia’s rice industry and support the country’s goal to export one million tonnes of milled rice by 2025.
Australia Supports Cambodia's Renewable Energy Ambitions Australia is committed to supporting Cambodia’s clean energy transition. We both share similar renewable energy targets, challenges and opportunities, so there’s a lot we can learn from each other. This year, Australia hosted a Cambodian delegation of energy officials to learn about the progress and challenges in Australia’s clean energy transition. Check out the video to learn about Ms. Sienghong Chhuong, a SCADA System Officer at Electricité du Cambodge, and her experience in Australia.
The Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) is Australia’s flagship economic development program in Cambodia. CAPRED’s goal is to help Cambodia achieve resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Australia through CAPRED works with stakeholders across the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), the private sector and development partners to achieve outcomes. In its second full year of implementation (1 July 2023-30 June 2024), CAPRED had significant successes across the cross-cutting themes (Policy Hub; Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); and Climate Resilience) and technical domains (Agriculture and Agro-Processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development; and Infrastructure Development).
Australia Accelerates Technology for Cambodia’s Ri...
Australia Supports Cambodia's Renewable Energy Amb...
CAPRED: Highlights 2023-24
Read our latest news & stories to find out more about CAPRED’s interventions.
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