HEFEI, China—Preah Sihanouk province is actively seeking Chinese investment, with Governor H.E. Mang Sineth leading a delegation to the “Hefei (Anhui Province)–Preah Sihanouk Province (Cambodia) Industrial Investors Matchmaking Forum” in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, on May 26.
The forum, organized in collaboration with the Hefei Municipal Administration and the Cambodian Consulate General in Shanghai, aims to attract Chinese enterprises to the coastal province’s industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Hefei–Preah Sihanouk Investment Matchmaking Forum |
| Date | May 26, 2026 |
| Location | Hefei, Anhui Province, China |
| Led by | H.E. Mang Sineth, Governor of Preah Sihanouk |
| Chinese attendees | ~50 firms (water, energy, smart tech, construction, trade) |
| Key incentive | 3‑year tax holiday, duty‑free imports |
| Master plan period | 2025–2038 |
| Current SEZs in province | 7 |
High-Level Participation
The economic forum brought together key political and business figures, including Yang Li, Director of the Hefei Foreign Affairs Office, and Nguon Visoth, Cambodian Consul General in Shanghai. Representing Hefei’s industrial sector were executives from approximately 50 investment firms and enterprises specializing in water management, new energy, smart technology, construction, engineering, and international trade.
Governor Outlines Incentives and Master Plan
Speaking at the forum, Governor Mang Sineth emphasized the alignment between Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy—led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet—and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He highlighted Preah Sihanouk’s status as Cambodia’s premier economic engine, anchored by its strategic deep‑sea port, manufacturing hubs, and tourism appeal.
The province currently hosts seven operational Special Economic Zones (SEZs). To guide future growth, the Royal Government is implementing the “Preah Sihanouk Provincial Master Plan as a Model Multi‑Purpose Special Economic Zone (2025–2038),” developed with Shenzhen’s Urban Planning and Design Institute (UPDIS). The plan envisions transforming the province into a major international gateway, a modern regional industrial and financial center, and a green, smart city within ASEAN.
“The synergy between Cambodia’s development strategy and China’s BRI is pivotal for advancing the ‘Diamond Hexagon’ cooperation framework,” Governor Mang Sineth told the forum, according to a statement released after the event.
To accelerate investment, the governor highlighted the “Special Programme to Promote Investment in Preah Sihanouk Province 2024,” which offers incentives including a three‑year exemption from income tax and minimum tax, as well as duty‑free imports of construction materials and production equipment.
Analyst’s View: Cautious Optimism
Mr. Sok Piseth, an economic analyst based in Phnom Penh, noted that while the forum signals strong political will, actual investment commitments remain to be seen.
“Preah Sihanouk has significant potential, but investors will be watching infrastructure reliability, especially electricity and logistics. The master plan is ambitious, but execution will determine whether these incentives translate into factory floors,” he said.
No immediate investment commitments were announced at the forum. Chinese executives who attended did not publicly comment on specific projects.
Context
Preah Sihanouk province has been undergoing a transformation following a government crackdown on online scam operations. The province is repositioning itself as a legitimate industrial and tourism hub, with support from the central government. The Hefei forum is part of a broader series of investment roadshows targeting Chinese cities.