The Cambodian construction sector, which has seemed to be in a state of decline for the past five years, may be on the rebound in 2025. Analysts say that signs of recovery are now gradually emerging after the construction sector in Cambodia has been in a difficult situation to predict since 2020, after the spread of COVID-19 in Cambodia, the region and the world.
The reason why they dare to conclude that the construction sector in Cambodia may be in a better situation than in 2024 is because it is based on the huge increase in imports of construction materials, including steel, while cement is not a problem. Because Cambodia can almost fully support and cover its domestic cement supply.
According to a report shared by the source, in the first half of 2025, construction material imports were worth approximately $1.24 billion, an increase of 35.60 percent compared to the value of imports in the same period in 2024, which was only more than $915 million.
Specifically, for steel imports, It was recorded at a value of more than $587 million, with an increase of approximately 52.58 percent compared to the value of steel imports in the same period in 2024, which was only worth nearly $385 million.
As for cement, analysts claimed that Cambodia can almost support and supply its own demand because Cambodia now has many cement factories to meet domestic needs.
Statistics show that In the first half of the year, Cambodia imported cement worth only $8.34 million for various construction sectors, a decrease of nearly 11 percent compared to the value of imports worth $9.35 million.
So far, the sectors that have guaranteed or supported economic growth in Cambodia are known to be the garment industry, tourism, agriculture, and construction. In June, the World Bank in Cambodia said the country could achieve an overall economic growth of around 4 percent in 2025 and could rise to 4.5 percent in 2026.
At the time, Tania Meyer, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Cambodia, said economic diversification was essential for Cambodia to sustain growth and job creation amid uncertainty, particularly through a shift away from a reliance on construction and garment exports, as well as promoting manufacturing. and high-value-added services.
In addition to the increase in imports of construction materials and equipment, some local media recently reported that the National Bank said that in order to stimulate the construction sector, the government has issued government bonds worth approximately $120 million to promote the growth of industrial linkages. Some sources have reported that the total amount of loans on construction so far is about $5.4 billion.
