Special Program to Promote Investment in Cambodia’s Northeastern Provinces Secures $660M Funding

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Special Program to Promote Investment in Cambodia’s Northeastern Provinces Secures $660M Funding
Independence Monument, Mondulkiri (2022)./ Phin Rathana

The Special Program to Promote Investment in the Four Northeastern Provinces (SPIN) 2025–2028 has secured approximately USD 660 million in committed capital, with projects scheduled to begin implementation in early 2026. When fully operational, the program is expected to create around 12,900 jobs.

Launched in early 2025, SPIN builds on the model of the Preah Sihanouk Special Investment Program led by H.E. Hean Sahib, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), which helped revive stalled projects in Sihanoukville. 

The SPIN initiative targets Cambodia’s four northeastern provinces—Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri and Stung Treng—aiming to unlock investment through streamlined procedures and special incentives.

A SPIN report presented at meetings held on December 23–24 revealed that the latest approved projects span Kratie, Mondulkiri, and Ratanakkiri, with implementation set to begin in 2026. 

The meetings were chaired by H.E. Sim Virak, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Head of the SPIN Working Group Secretariat, alongside H.E. Pich Sambath, Undersecretary of State and Deputy Chairman of the Secretariat, together with other Secretariat members. Investors were briefed on next-step procedures and coordination mechanisms, and concerns related to administrative processes and legal standards were also addressed. 

H.E. Sim Virak, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Second from the left)/.Photo: SPIN's FB page 

As of December 2025, nine companies have received in-principle investment approvals under SPIN, covering 13 projects in agriculture, agro-industry, tourism, port infrastructure, higher education, and healthcare.Of the approved projects, six are located in Kratie, four in Mondulkiri, and three in Ratanakkiri. Collectively, they represent a total investment of about USD 660 million, and are projected to generate 12,900 jobs for Cambodian citizens.

H.E. Sim Virak emphasised that while obtaining investment principles is an important first step, successful project implementation is critical to ensure government incentives translate into real economic activity, job creation, and improved livelihoods in the northeast region.

To that end, the SPIN Working Group will continue to provide regular coordination and support, helping companies secure incentives, permits, and licences in line with applicable laws, while also assisting in resolving stalled cases.

SPIN was officially launched on April 9, 2025 to promote priority sectors—particularly agriculture, agro-industry, and tourism—across Cambodia’s four northeastern provinces.

The SPIN Working Group was established as a “single-entry” mechanism to help enable bundled approvals of incentives, permits, and licences through a coordinated and transparent decision-making process.