PHNOM PENH, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's economy is predicted to grow by 5 percent in 2026, slightly down from 5.2 percent in 2025, due to external shocks and the impact of border issue with Thailand, the country's Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said on Monday.
Pornmoniroth, who is also a deputy prime minister, said the kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) was projected to reach 53.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2026, as its GDP per capita was expected to increase to 3,020 dollars.
"Cambodia's economy has recovered rapidly and maintained a strong growth momentum after the global COVID-19 crisis, despite facing challenges and high uncertainties in the regional and global situation due to the rise in geopolitical confrontations, the fragmentation of the global economy, and the resurgence of unilateralism, among others," he said at the inauguration ceremony of a national road in southern Kandal province.
The Southeast Asian country's economy mainly depends on garment, footwear, and travel goods exports, tourism, agriculture, and real estate and construction.
Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that to maintain robust growth momentum, Cambodia should prioritize strategic sectors such as agricultural technology, renewable energy, logistics, digital services and value-added manufacturing.
"Strengthening food and energy security, enhancing domestic supply-chain resilience and investing heavily in human capital such as skills, innovation and research will build long-term competitiveness and cushion future external shocks," he told Xinhua. ■
