Through the dreadful pandemic, the economic growth in Southeast Asia lagged behind the rest of the world due to extreme caution in re-opening borders for economic flow. However, ASEAN is the world's second-largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination in developing countries behind only China and FDI increased 42% in 2021. According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), from January to August 2022, Cambodia has received 123 investments projected to account for nearly $3.3 billion, boosted by the country's investment law, trade deals with China including Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Thoroughly, FDI has flowed into manufacturing, finance and energy, electronics as well as ICI which are potential for rapid economic growth in ASEAN region.

Reference: Hin, P. (2022, October 11). Global investors eye investments in Asean region to diversify risk, Cambodia features well. Khmer Times. Retrieved from https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501163645/global-investors-eye-investments-in-asean-region-to-diversify-risk-cambodia-features-well/