PHNOM PENH – The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved 172 investment projects worth a total of $2.5 billion in the first quarter and which are expected to create nearly 120,000 jobs. 

The dollar value is 14 percent greater than in the same period last year, with an increase of 66 projects and $305 million, the CDC reported on April 8. 

Six investments involve production expansion. Seventy-three projects are in special economic zones and come from ten countries, 

Around 56 percent of the total figure comes from Chinese investments, and 34 percent comes from Cambodia. Singapore, British Virgin Island, Vietnam, Cayman Island the UK, Samoa Island, US and Canada share less than five percent. 

The report also shows that investments worth $2.2 billion are in the industry sector. Others of $248 million are for infrastructure and other sectors. These will be used in 13 provinces. 

Kampong Speu got the biggest number of investments, at 43 projects, followed by Svay Rieng with 34. Twenty-two projects are invested in Koh Kong province, 21 projects in Phnom Penh and 16 others are in Preah Sihanouk province. 

Takeo received 12 projects and Kandal province got 11, followed by Kampong Chhnang with seven. Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces received one each and Kampot province got two.

In March, the CDC approved 60 projects worth a total of $1.4 billion, expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs. Of these, two are production expansion projects. 

In 2024, CDC approved 414 projects. Of these, 387 were new and 27 were production expansion. The number generated $6.9 billion and created nearly 320,000 jobs.