The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) convened a meeting, recently, with active automotive assembly companies to assess ongoing investment progress across the sector.

The high-level meeting, held at the CDC Government Palace, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and CDC First Vice Chairman Sun Chanthol. It was attended by senior CDC officials, ministry representatives, industry experts and senior executives from Cambodia's leading vehicle assembly plants.

Discussions focused on the priority agenda and key strategic objectives, including a review of the current status and overall progress of Cambodia's automotive assembly sector, which has been identified as a priority industry for national industrial diversification.

The meeting also included updates from company representatives on operational performance, production activities and the overall status of their business operations. Representatives from each company also presented comments and suggestions aimed at improving business processes.

Representatives from government ministries, state institutions and private companies participated in detailed discussions to identify collaborative solutions to address the sector's requirements.

Chanthol reiterated the government's commitment to supporting and coordinating with all relevant stakeholders to maintain investment in Cambodia's automotive assembly sector.

He also highlighted the role of the automotive assembly industry in supporting Cambodia's transition towards higher value-added industrial activities through the adoption of modern technology and the creation of skilled employment opportunities.

In a press statement, the CDC said it would continue to promote a favourable investment environment to encourage further investment in the automotive sector and related industries as part of Cambodia's long-term industrial development.

The CDC also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the private sector to develop Cambodia's automotive assembly and manufacturing industry.

Cambodia had around 10 automobile assembly and manufacturing plants in operation as of July 2026, with a combined production capacity of nearly 4,000 vehicles per year. According to the CDC, the increase in automotive investment has contributed to higher production capacity, greater integration into regional and global supply chains, and increased activity in the automotive sector.

Speaking to a local daily, a market researcher and analyst said rising investment in Cambodia's automotive sector reflects the government's objective of developing the country into a regional vehicle assembly hub.

"This growing momentum is also in line with the country's ambition to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050."

He further added: "Cambodia cannot rely solely on low-value-added industrial manufacturing and production, such as garment manufacturing and other low-skilled labour-intensive industries. Diversification into higher value-added and higher-skilled labour-intensive manufacturing and production, including vehicle assembly and the production of spare parts and components, is necessary to support these long-term development objectives."