Our Economic Development Videos and Publications

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:
w ww.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.

Did you know? Most Cambodian agri-businesses have to send their product samples abroad for testing prior to export. This costly and time-consuming process hinders companies’ competitiveness in exports. Australia recently launched a collaboration with the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) to establish accredited in-country testing services for pesticide residue, antibiotic residue and heavy metals. This initiative will help businesses ensure safe, high-quality food products and expand to new markets. Australia through the CAPRED program aims to help Cambodia increase its export capacity, contributing to resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Did 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.