PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet says the 32,000 employees at the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) stand as a testament to the country’s commitment to collaborating with all partners.

“Although the zone was jointly developed and constructed by private companies from Cambodia and China, there are also investment companies from the US, France, Europe and other countries,” he said on May 22 during a celebration marking 200 investment enterprises in the SSEZ after 17 years of development.

Responding to criticism that the government is aligning too closely with China, Hun Manet said Cambodia chooses all partners — China, the US and other countries — for the sake of national growth.

Using a culinary metaphor, he said the country welcomes both “cabbage and beef,” referring to China as “cabbage” and the US as “beef,” in response to widespread commentary suggesting Cambodia was opting for cabbage over steak.

“Whether it’s beef, cabbage, shrimp or fruit, Cambodia will choose all of them for the wellbeing of its people. We do not discriminate against any country. Why should we? Even great powers do not discriminate; they work together,” he said.

“We are attracting investors from abroad including the US, China, Japan and European countries. We take both food and fruit for our country’s growth, to generate employment and increase salaries for our workers.”

The 11-square-kilometer SSEZ has attracted 200 enterprises, employing 32,000 people. It is expected to accommodate up to 300 enterprises in the coming years, potentially generating up to 100,000 jobs for locals.

The SSEZ first phase primarily focuses on textiles and garments, luggage, leather goods and wood products. The second phase will introduce auto parts and tires, new materials, hardware machinery, building materials and home furnishings.

Hun Manet said the SSEZ has unique characteristics compared to other zones in the country, and continues to benefit from the strong support and cooperation of both countries. 

He reflected on the area’s history, noting that it was once devastated by the Khmer Rouge regime but has since transformed into a thriving economic hub.

“The past is one thing, but we must appreciate the present and work closely to build more achievements by embracing all partners, attracting more investments, and implementing policies that benefit employees,” he said.

The PM acknowledged that attracting and retaining investor trust is not an easy task but expressed hope for continued progress — even in small steps — as long as it keeps moving forward.

Sihanoukville has five operating special economic zones and is considered a crucial economic region and the country’s second economic pole after Phnom Penh. 

“In the province alone, the number of enterprises has grown from 69 with more than 10,000 employees in 2008 to 3,833 enterprises with more than 115,800 employees as of May this year,” Hun Manet said. 

The value of imports and exports passing through the SSEZ reached $4 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 21.3 percent.