Economic Growth Outlook - Cambodia's economy is projected to grow by 5.2% in 2025, according to the Cambodian People's Party Chairman Hun Sen [1] - The World Bank has revised Cambodia's economic growth forecast for 2025 down to 4% from an earlier estimate of 5.5% [1] - The World Bank report highlights that while Cambodia's economy shows resilience, growth is uneven, particularly in labor-intensive manufacturing sectors like garments and footwear [1][3] Export Market Diversification - Cambodia is working on diversifying its export markets and products, despite the U.S. being its largest export market [1][3] - The Cambodian government is focusing on maintaining flexibility and resilience in the garment and footwear industries amid external pressures [3] Impact of U.S. Tariff Policies - The uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policies is significantly impacting Southeast Asia's economic growth, including Cambodia [2][3] - The Cambodian garment and footwear sectors are particularly vulnerable to potential U.S. tariffs, with many factories awaiting decisions from U.S. authorities [3] Agricultural Sector Development - Cambodia aims to enhance its agricultural value chain by focusing on the processing of products like cashews, bananas, and mangoes [4][5] - The country is pushing for local processing to add value to agricultural products, which is crucial for its economic foundation [4] RCEP and China-Cambodia Trade Relations - China remains Cambodia's largest trading partner, with ongoing benefits from the RCEP and China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement [6] - Cambodia's trade deficit with China is expected to persist, as the country imports many intermediate goods for processing and re-export [6] Infrastructure and Belt and Road Initiative - The Belt and Road Initiative is crucial for Cambodia's infrastructure development, which is necessary for global competitiveness [8][9] - Future cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative will focus on industrial development and enhancing quality and standards in various sectors [9] Financial Cooperation and Currency Settlement - The cross-border RMB business between China and Cambodia is projected to reach approximately 20 billion yuan in 2024, doubling year-on-year [10] - The establishment of a currency settlement system will facilitate easier transactions between Cambodian and Chinese businesses [10] Youth and Technological Collaboration - Cambodia's young population is seen as a potential asset for technological collaboration with regions like the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [11] - There is a strong interest in fostering cooperation between young innovators from both regions to explore market opportunities [11]