Two tyre manufacturing factories, with a total investment of $686 million, were approved by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) in August, creating 3,459 jobs.

The two projects are among a total of 53, with a combined investment of over $1.2 billion, which were approved in August. While seven of the projects are expansions of existing investments, 46 are entirely new, according to a September 9 CDC statement.

One of the tyre manufacturing projects is located in the UBE Snuol Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kratie province’s Snuol district. With a total investment of $430 million, it is expected to create 1,959 jobs.

The other is in Svay Rieng province’s Sin Bavet SEZ, in Bavet town. It is expected to employ around 1,500 people, and features investment of over $256 million.

Other notable projects among the 53 include the establishment of a SEZ in Chroy Svay Village of Koh Kong province’s Srae Ambel district. With total investment of $80 million, it is tipped to employ 775 people.

Addition projects include the establishment of farms for breeding and raising cattle, horses and other quadrupeds, along with factories for processing animal feed and testing laboratories. There are also plans to build a beverage production factory for non-alcoholic drinks and a five-star hotel in Preah Sihanouk province.

According to the CDC, in August, China was the largest source of investment, accounting for 84.72% of total investment, while domestic investment accounted for 9.12%.

By sector, the industrial sector remained the top choice for investors, with nearly $1.1 billion of the total of just over $1.2 billion which was invested. Preah Sihanouk and Kampong Speu provinces attracted significant interest, with 10 and nine projects approved, respectively.