Cambodia sees balance of payments surplus in Q3 post narrow trade gap

The BoP recorded a surplus of KHR 914 billion (~$223 million)—down by KHR 684 billion (~$167 million) from a surplus of KHR 1,598 billion (~$390 million) in Q2 2025.

The decline was primarily attributed to a sharp drop in the net incurrence of external liabilities, even as the current and capital accounts shifted from deficit to surplus, according to domestic media reports.

The combined current and capital accounts posted a surplus of KHR 350 billion (~$85 million) in Q3, reversing a deficit of KHR 270 billion (~$66 million) recorded in Q2 2025.

The improvement was mainly driven by a narrowing goods trade deficit.

As of the end of Q3 2025, the country’s international investment position showed net external liabilities of KHR 127,332 billion (~$31.1 billion). This represented a decrease of KHR 8,146 billion (~$2 billion, or 6 per cent) from KHR 135,477 billion (~$33 billion) at the end of Q2.

On a year-on-year basis, net external liabilities declined by KHR 15,980 billion (~$3.9 billion, or 11.2 per cent) from KHR 143,312 billion (~$35 billion) recorded in the same quarter last year, indicating a gradual strengthening of Cambodia’s external balance sheet.

The current account recorded a surplus of KHR 318 billion (~$78 million) in Q3 2025, reversing a deficit of KHR 303 billion (~$74 million) in Q2. NBC attributed this turnaround mainly to a sharp reduction in the goods trade deficit, although weaker performance in services and income balances limited the overall gain.

Compared to the same period last year, however, the current account surplus declined sharply by KHR 3,884 billion (~$947 million, or 92.4 per cent) from a surplus of KHR 4,202 billion (~$1 billion).

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)