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Priority Industries
Koh Kong Province has been prioritized in developing eco-tourism, agriculture and aquaculture, as well as cross-border manufacturing and trade with Thailand. In addition, the abundance of natural resources combined with its economic development potential, Koh Kong province has a strong foundation for the development of emerging industries such as carbon trading and green energy.
Tourism
Koh Kong Province is uniquely positioned to emerge as a premier eco-tourism and leisure destination in Cambodia. Rich in natural diversity, the province is home to extensive mangrove forests, serene rivers, cascading waterfalls, verdant mountains, untouched islands, marine parks and a long stretch of pristine coastline. These resources create the foundation for a wide range of tourism experiences and investment opportunities from adventure and nature tourism to wellness, relaxation and cultural exploration.
With growing regional interest in sustainable and experience-driven travel, Koh Kong has a golden opportunity to diversify its tourism offerings and develop high-value, low-impact products that appeal to both regional and international markets. By leveraging its environmental assets and strengthening supporting infrastructure, the province can significantly enhance its role in Cambodia’s tourism development strategy while contributing to the broader goal of increasing the appeal and competitiveness of the country's southwestern corridor.
Offering breathtaking natural landscapes and rich biodiversity, its attractions include the Cardamom Mountains, Tatai Waterfall, and Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors can explore mangrove forests by boat, enjoy island getaways like Koh Sdach, and spot wildlife in one of Cambodia’s most biodiverse regions. It’s an ideal visit and/or investment destination for nature lovers seeking sustainable adventures and authentic experiences.
Eco-Tourism
With its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity, Koh Kong is perfect for eco-adventure tourism. Visitors can explore the Cardamom Mountains on guided hikes, kayak along winding rivers, and spot rare wildlife. Highlights include Tatai Waterfall, rainforest eco-lodges and tranquil boat rides through Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary. These immersive, nature-based activities offer meaningful engagement with the environment and contribute to preserving one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining wilderness areas.
Mountain and Adventure Tourism
The Mountain and Adventure Zone is Koh Kong’s most spectacular natural offering. The Cardamom Mountains, one of Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforests, provide opportunities for jungle trekking, river kayaking, and wildlife observation. Visitors can hike to the stunning Tatai Waterfall, go zip-lining through the forest canopy, or take a guided safari to spot gibbons, hornbills, or even wild elephants. At the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary, mangrove walkways and birdwatching towers bring travelers close to rare wetland species. With eco-lodges and community rangers supporting conservation, this zone invites travelers to explore responsibly and reconnect with the wild.
MICE and
Creative Hub Tourism
Koh Kong is full of potential to be developed into a unique destination for eco-conscious business travel and creative retreats. Small resorts and lodges nestled in river valleys offer boutique meeting spaces, ideal for workshops, wellness retreats, or art residencies. These venues are surrounded by tranquil landscapes that foster creativity, focus, and collaboration. Groups can combine meetings with eco-activities such as waterfall excursions or mangrove planting. For professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists seeking inspiration away from the city, Koh Kong provides a serene and energizing backdrop for productivity and innovation.
Island and Coastal Tourism
Koh Kong’s coastline is dotted with remote islands, hidden beaches and vibrant marine ecosystems. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides through mangrove-lined estuaries or take island-hopping tours to places like Koh Sdach, known for its coral reefs, snorkeling spots, and local fishing culture. Secluded beaches near Thma Sa and Koh Kapi offer the perfect setting for kayaking, paddleboarding or simply relaxing by the water. Rustic bungalows and eco-resorts along the shore provide overnight stays close to nature. This zone offers a balance of adventure and tranquility, ideal for those looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in the coastal charm of Cambodia’s southwest.
Agro-Processing and Agriculture
In the agriculture sector, Koh Kong Province serves as a primary source of raw agricultural materials, including marine products and semi-processed agricultural products, which are then transported to Preah Sihanouk Province for high-level processing. These processed products are intended for both domestic supply and export to international markets.
Koh Kong Province is poised to become a strategic agro-processing hub under the Cambodia Coastal Master Plan, leveraging its abundant natural resources and strong border connectivity. The province is shifting from primary production to value-added processing of tropical fruits, seafood and non-timber forest products. Supported by improved infrastructure and cross-border trade routes, Koh Kong offers a compelling base for export-oriented agro-industrial ventures targeting both domestic and regional markets. This development will enhance rural incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and drive sustainable coastal growth through cross-border trade and SME engagement and green practices.
Fruit-Based Products
Koh Kong’s tropical climate and fertile lowlands support the cultivation of mangoes, bananas, durians and pineapples. While much of the fruit is currently sold fresh or transported to neighboring provinces, there is increasing scope for processing into juices, dried snacks, jams and fruit purées. Small-scale entrepreneurs are beginning to explore these niche products, particularly targeting health-conscious and export-oriented consumers. Investment in cold chain logistics, SME-friendly dehydration and packaging technologies and food safety labs would be essential to reduce spoilage and raise processing yields. Branding and certification programs tailored for eco-friendly and organic fruit products could further enhance market appeal.
Unique Local Products
Koh Kong is rich in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as wild honey, medicinal herbs, rattan and bamboo. These are traditionally harvested by local communities and have growing relevance for high-value natural health and wellness markets. With focused investment, Koh Kong could scale production of medicinal herbs, essential oils, honey-based products and eco-friendly crafts. Community-based processing units, coupled with quality certification and traceability, can add significant value. Additionally, the province is exploring limited coconut processing activities, with potential for virgin coconut oil, coconut water bottling, and plant-based snack products to tap into rising global demand.
Seafood and Aquatic Products
Koh Kong’s extensive coastline and active fishing communities offer a natural foundation for seafood processing. Existing activities likely include fish drying, artisanal fish sauce fermentation and ice storage for fresh catch. With greater investment, the province can expand into high-value seafood processing, such as freezing, packaging and ready-to-eat meal preparation. The development of sustainable aquaculture, particularly shrimp and fish farms with traceability systems can enhance both product quality and supply stability. Upgrading fishery cooperatives and building hygienic, export-compliant facilities would significantly boost market competitiveness, with cross-border collaboration offering additional opportunities for technology transfer and shared market access.
Export-Oriented Manufacturing
Koh Kong Province is emerging as a key manufacturing hub, anchored by the Neang Kok and Kiri Sakor Special Economic Zones. Core industries include automotive and electronic parts assembly, sportswear and equipment manufacturing, and hydropower development. Chinese firms are actively exploring electric vehicle assembly, signaling strong future potential. Its strategic location near the Thai border makes it an ideal extension for “Thai+1” manufacturing operations, offering efficient access to regional supply chains. The province’s growing industrial base is complemented by a service sector focused on trade and logistics, creating a solid foundation for integrated growth.
Koh Kong Province holds strong potential for food and beverage manufacturing, particularly in seafood processing, fruit-based products and bottled beverages. With access to abundant marine resources, tropical fruits and clean water sources, the province is well-positioned to serve both domestic and export markets. Investments in cold storage, processing facilities, and packaging infrastructure are critical to unlocking value from local resources and improving product standards for international certification. The planned development of industrial zones and logistics corridors especially near the Thai border, further enhances Koh Kong’s competitiveness as a food processing and packaging hub along the Southern Economic Corridor.
Koh Kong’s proximity to Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor makes it a strategic location for the relocation or expansion of light automotive and electronic parts manufacturing. With increasing cost pressures and land constraints in neighboring Thai industrial zones, Koh Kong offers an alternative base for tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers involved in wire harnesses, sensors, plastic injection components and simple assembly operations. The existing Koh Kong SEZ, along with planned infrastructure upgrades, provides an entry point for cross-border supply chain integration. With targeted investment promotion and labor upskilling, the province could attract SMEs and subcontractors looking to diversify operations while maintaining access to Thai and ASEAN markets.
Non-Metallic Mineral
Koh Kong is also suited for the manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products, particularly construction materials such as cement substitutes, ceramics and glassware. The province is home to natural deposits of clay, sand and other raw materials that support these industries. Coupled with growing demand from infrastructure and tourism-related construction along the coast, this presents an opportunity for localized production to reduce transport costs and support sustainable development. Establishing industrial clusters focused on eco-friendly building materials and leveraging renewable energy sources could enhance the province’s industrial appeal while aligning with national green growth strategies.
Koh Kong Energy and Petrochemical
As Koh Kong prepares for future industrial park development particularly near the Thailand border or in the proposed coastal economic zone, its green energy potential becomes a strategic advantage. The availability of renewable power sources such as solar, wind, and hydro can attract investment in clean industries, green manufacturing, and ESG-compliant supply chains. These zones could be marketed as “Low Carbon Industrial Parks,” leveraging green electricity as a value proposition for regional and global investors seeking sustainable production bases.
Koh Kong is home to several rivers and water systems that provide viable locations for small- to medium-scale hydropower plants. As global demand shifts toward clean, sustainable energy, Koh Kong offers investors a strategic entry point into Cambodia’s green power future. While traditional large-scale hydropower faces rising environmental scrutiny, the province stands out for its potential in low-impact, run-of-river hydro projects and modernization of existing dams with advanced environmental safeguards. These smart hydropower solutions can significantly boost regional energy reliability while positioning Koh Kong as a leading exporter of renewable energy in the Greater Mekong Subregion. For investors seeking scalable, future-proof energy assets aligned with ESG priorities, Koh Kong is a compelling destination.
Koh Kong Province holds strong potential for utility-scale solar energy projects due to its high solar irradiance levels, flat terrain and relatively low population density. Several private sector investments have already begun to explore solar farm development in the province, particularly in areas near economic zones or industrial development corridors. With increasing national interest in decarbonization and grid diversification, Koh Kong can emerge as a leading province for solar energy exports to other regions of Cambodia. The integration of solar power into nearby industrial parks or SEZs also aligns with Cambodia’s push toward green manufacturing and energy self-sufficiency.
Wind Energy Potential
Coastal and elevated inland areas of Koh Kong show promising wind speed profiles, particularly in the Monorum and Botum Sakor districts. Preliminary studies and satellite-based wind assessments indicate feasible conditions for mid-scale wind energy farms. The development of wind power would not only diversify the province’s energy mix but also provide a stable, renewable source of electricity to support future industrialization. Incentivizing wind mapping, pilot projects and public-private partnerships could unlock this segment, especially for hybrid use alongside solar to ensure day-and-night renewable supply.
Cross-Border Manufacturing and Trade
By virtue of its geographic advantage of bordering Thailand, Koh Kong Province can establish and strengthen the cooperation with Thailand, following the “Country++” strategy in terms of the manufacturing and assembly supply chain to capture the spillover effects of the Thailand industrial development, by developing industrial enclaves, industrial parks, SEZs, and comprehensive bonded zones following the concept of “Two Countries, Twin Parks”. To further enhance the cooperation between Koh Kong Province and Thailand, measures should be taken to facilitate the integration of cross-border bonded trade, foster the development of cross-border manufacturing, and expand the scale of processing trade and mutual market trade.
Carbon Trading
Koh Kong Province will harness the economic potential of its forests and mangroves by actively promoting carbon trading with designated areas of forest and mangrove ecosystems for development of carbon sinks, which are instrumental in facilitating the trading of carbon emission credits. These credits may enable relevant companies and various stakeholders to offset their carbon dioxide emissions by engaging in financial transactions that reflect their environmental responsibility. In pursuit of broader opportunities, Koh Kong Province will actively seek international cooperation with foreign entities. The goal is to achieve certified emission reductions (CERs) by leveraging financial assistance and advanced technological support. By doing so, the province aims to establish itself as a pivotal regional hub for carbon trading, thus fostering sustainable development and contributing to global climate action.
