Cambodia Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ)

Location: Kampong Soam City, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia

Related industries: focusing on the industrial chains and supply chains such as automotive and parts manufacturing, new energy components and mechanical processing, and power equipment

Preferential policies: exemption from export tax; mechanical equipment, building materials, spare parts, raw materials, etc. used for production are exempt from import taxes; exemption from income tax for up to 6-9 years; Projects invested in Preah Sihanouk Province during 2024 and 2025 can apply for an additional 3-year exemption from income tax.

1. Overview

Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ) was jointly developed and constructed by Cambodian and Chinese enterprises. It was laid the foundation by the then Cambodian Prime Minister, Prince Hun Sen. The zone is committed to building a cross-border investment platform for enterprises from all over the world to achieve win-win development.

Located in Kampong Soam City, SSEZ is only 3 kilometers away from Sihanouk International Airport, 4 kilometers away from the Expressway linking Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, 12 kilometers away from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and about 17 kilometers away from Sihanouk City, which has a superior geographical location and convenient transportation.

After over ten years of development and construction, SSEZ has evolved from a barren land with no roads, water, electricity, or internet with a maximum drop of 70 meters, to an international industrial zone with complete production and living facilities in Cambodia. By the end of June 2025, the zone has introduced 209 enterprises (institutions) from around the world, creating 32,000 job opportunities. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet praised that Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone has made indispensable contributions to the lives and economic development of the local people.

2. Planning and industrial positioning

SSEZ implements a deep integration of industrial planning with local conditions, based on Cambodia's industrial development plan, and follows the principles of "high-end green, new quality characteristics, and demonstration leadership". The zone focuses on developing high value-added, innovative, and competitive emerging industries and manufacturing industries, especially industrial chains and supply chains such as automotive and parts manufacturing, new energy components and mechanical processing, and power equipment. Meanwhile, productive and supporting life service industries are actively developed to empower the industrial development. Furthermore, advanced manufacturing, electronic information, and low altitude economy are cultivated in the zone to build a "digital plus" industrial system and strive to create a new industrial highland, economic engine, and urban center with international competitiveness.

3. Preferential policies

Enterprises entering SSEZ can enjoy a series of tax incentives: exemption from export tax; mechanical equipment, building materials, spare parts, raw materials, etc. used for production are exempt from import taxes; exemption from income tax for up to 6-9 years; Production equipment, building materials, etc. are exempt from value-added tax; Industries serving the export market are exempt from value-added tax on raw materials, while 10% for serving the domestic market.

The Cambodian government has launched " The Special Program to Promote Investment in Preah Sihanouk Province 2024" and extended the policy until the end of 2025. Under this policy, qualified investment projects in this Province can not only enjoy the original tax incentives, but also apply for an additional 3-year exemption from income tax, which is a unique policy.

4. Infrastructure

With the area of 600 hectares, the zone has basically achieved access to roads, electricity, water, electricity, drainage, sewage, and flat land (six connections and one leveling). There are sewage treatment plants, thermal power plants, National High Voltage Substation, and a comprehensive service center building that integrates various service functions such as "one-stop service" administrative windows, business offices, catering, and cultural entertainment. In addition, staff apartments, dormitories, financial streets, and health service center was completed and put into use. The production and living supporting facilities in the zone are complete now.

5. Supporting service

With the concept of "platform plus", SSEZ optimizes the service system, and creates a favorable business environment of "attracting in, retaining, and developing well". Nowadays, the "one-stop service" administrative window, composed of the Council for the Development of Cambodia(CDC), Customs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labor, and Sihanouk Provincial Government, has been introduced for providing enterprises with administrative services such as investment application, registration, certificate of origin issuance, import and export customs declaration, etc.; A legal service center was established to provide professional legal consulting services; There is a health service center that provides convenient medical services for employees and surrounding residents in the zone; Two colleges, Preah Sihanouk Cambodia-China Friendship Polytechnic Institute and Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology, are in the zone to provide professional talent support for enterprise development; Banks, logistics companies, hotels, and trade centers were also introduced to create a comprehensive service environment. The zone attaches great importance to risk prevention and control. So far, there have been no malignant public security incidents or personal injuries, or any major safety accidents.

More information：http://www.ssez.com/