A delegation from SpaceX and its LEO satellite unit Starlink has wrapped up a series of meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and other top officials to discuss expanding its investment in the country.
According to the Khmer Times, SpaceX and Starlink marketing director Rebecca Hunter led a courtesy visit with Hun Manet on Thursday to receive permission to meet with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MoC).
Hunter subsequently met with all three on Thursday and Friday to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia. According to a statement from CDC, she told deputy PM Sun Chanthol (who is also the council’s first vice chairman) that Cambodia is one of SpaceX’s priority investment targets in 2025, and that the company was especially seeking opportunities in the technology and modernisation sectors.
Meanwhile, the MPTC talks focused on opportunities to modernise Cambodia’s telecoms services, while the MoC meeting discussed potential investments to enhance the ministry’s e-commerce platform, according to statements from both ministries.
No other details were given on what was discussed or where the discussions might lead.
The SpaceX-Starlink meetings follow a delegation visit to SpaceX headquarters in the US led by Sun Chanthol in September 2024 to learn more about the company’s technology offerings and development, particularly in relation to Starlink.
Since then, one major change is that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is now also a key figure in the Trump administration, being currently in charge of the recently established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While DOGE is not an official government agency, Musk runs the department as a paid government employee who reports directly to President Donald Trump.
Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Khmer Times this may be a factor in how SpaceX was able to secure direct visits with the PM and government ministries.
“Whether the investment plan originates from the US government or the companies themselves, it will have a significant impact on local businesses and Cambodia’s socio-economic growth,” he said.
Currently, Starlink is not officially licenced to sell services in Cambodia. According to website Kiripost, entrepreneur Veng Sotha – the CEO of cloud mobile communication gateway firm PlasGate – is importing Starlink kits from the US to sell them in Cambodia. However, customers must pay Starlink’s US$200/month roaming fee to use the kits.
