Cambodia's International Reserves Rise 22.3% to $27.5B in 2025
Cambodia’s international reserves rose to USD 27.5 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 22.3 per cent, according to an annual report released by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) on January 24, 2026.
The report stressed that this amount can cover eight months of imports of goods and services, which is considered a strong and stable level for a developing country like Cambodia.
The NBC provides a few reasons for the growth of reserves, including rising gold prices, income from foreign investments, exchange rate fluctuations, and increased deposits from banking and financial institutions.
In 2025, the central bank updated its investment guidelines, including the selection and management of external managers and internal ethics regulations for the Reserve Management Department. These updates aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of international reserve management.
The NBC has also affirmed its continued prioritisation of investments in green bonds and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) bonds issued by major international financial institutions in China, South Korea, Japan, and Europe. This aligns with global trends and reinforces a commitment to sustainable and responsible investment policies.
According to Chapter 7 of Article 30 of the Law on the Organisation and Operation of the NBC, the Kingdom's international reserves are managed as assets, gold and foreign currencies, special drawing rights (SDRs), reserve positions at the IMF, and treasury bills or securities guaranteed by foreign governments or international financial institutions.
International reserves aim to maintain public confidence in monetary policy and exchange rates, ensure the ability to meet foreign obligations, and provide a buffer for economic stability against domestic crises or external shocks.
