Strategic Location Within Belt Road Initiative
With the ambitious Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), Southeast Asia presents itself as the only thoroughfare of sea and land routes. Among the ten ASEAN countries, Cambodia is the bellwether within China's BRI framework. Between 2013 and 2019, China has been Cambodia's largest investor - with a contracted investment capital of more than 12.5 billion USD.
Right smack in the middle of ASEAN, Cambodia is the intersection of the Pan-Asian Railway Network and an important hub of the sea, land, and air transportation system surrounded by 9 other ASEAN countries. Cambodia is also part of the ASEAN Economic Community, benefitting directly from the economic integration and regional investment policies.
The Eastern route of the Pan-Asian Railway Network starts from Kunming, China, heading south to Singapore with a total length of approximately 5,000 kilometers. The economic coverage of this railway network radiates throughout South East Asia and South China with Cambodia at the center. Phnom Penh will also usher a 2-hour city circle in Asia after the opening of the Pan-Asian Railway Network. The Kunming section has now been completed.
Cambodia Recorded A Robust GDP Growth Of Over 7% For 9 Consecutive Years
For the decade, Cambodia recorded amazing economic growth - 3 times faster than other SEA countries. The Year-on-Year GDP % growth in Cambodia also surpassed neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand, and many more.
In 2019, Cambodia topped among all ASEAN countries with its GDP growth rate of 7.1%, becoming the fastest growing country in Asia.