AKP Phnom Penh, March 04, 2026 --

The Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit (CABS) 2026 was officially opened in Phnom Penh this morning under the presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Addressing the event, Samdech Thipadei said that CABS serves as an important platform of the Royal Government to encourage greater private-sector participation in Cambodia’s economic growth.

He underlined that Cambodia has strongly promoted innovation-driven growth to enhance both national and regional competitiveness in an increasingly digital and sustainability-focused global economy.

“Cambodia has embraced a model of strategic openness as an emerging digital and industrial hub within the ASEAN region,” he said.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to its journey toward high-income status, grounded in sustainability, innovation, and deeper regional integration.

Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Cambodia, said the summit reflects the strong and enduring partnership between the CCC, ASEAN-BAC Cambodia, and partners across international chambers and business associations.

He noted that the global economy is currently facing significant challenges, including strategic competition among major powers, recent waves of unilateral tariff measures and retaliatory actions, as well as the escalation of conflicts, which have directly affected growth prospects in ASEAN and Cambodia.

In this environment, Neak Oknha Kith Meng stressed that ASEAN’s strength lies not in choosing sides, but in upholding openness, neutrality, and centrality.

“Our collective task is to preserve ASEAN as a stabilising force—one that anchors dialogue, keeps markets connected, and ensures that economic cooperation remains governed by fairness, transparency, and mutual respect,” he said.

Despite global headwinds, he added, Southeast Asia and Cambodia must continue to stand out as a region of resilience, dynamism, and opportunity.

“This transformation will not happen by chance. It will be the result of deliberate policy choices, strong regional cooperation, and sustained private-sector engagement,” he emphasised.

Held under the theme “Transforming ASEAN: Innovation, Integration, and Industrial Evolution,” the summit is organised in collaboration with international chambers of commerce and various business associations in Cambodia and across ASEAN Member States.

Participants include high-ranking government officials, ambassadors, representatives of key regional institutions, ASEAN-BAC members, leading international companies operating in Cambodia and the wider ASEAN market, as well as industry experts.

By Heng Panha