On 20 February 2025, Australia hosted a high-level workshop to explore growth strategies for diversifying Cambodia’s economy and enhancing its resilience. Supported by the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), the event featured Professor Hausmann, Founder and Director of Harvard’s Growth Lab, renowned for his expertise in Growth Diagnostics and Economic Complexity methodologies.

The workshop was presided over by H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia; H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers; and H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. Senior representatives from the Office of the Council of Ministers, government ministries, and development partners also attended.

This initiative reaffirms Australia’s commitment to fostering strategic policy dialogue and supporting 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.