Trade Horizons’ Market Entry Blog

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Auto Co has commenced construction of a new assembly plant in the coastal Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on April 28, 2025, marks a major milestone for both BYD and Cambodia. The new facility represents an investment of approximately $32 million and is expected to have an initial production capacity of 10,000 vehicles annually. The plant will operate as a Completely Knocked Down facility, importing vehicle components for final assembly at the local site. Spanning 12 hectares, the construction is slated for completion by October, with manufacturing operations set to begin in early November.

Saudi Aramco has partnered with BYD, a leading Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of innovative vehicle technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. The partnership was formalised through a Joint Development Agreement between Saudi Aramco Technologies Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco, and BYD. This agreement leverages the extensive research and development capabilities of both companies to achieve breakthroughs in new energy vehicle technologies.

In a significant move towards reshaping international trade, the White House has announced that it is actively pursuing trade agreements with more than 15 countries. This initiative comes in the wake of President Trump's recent tariffs on foreign exports, which have prompted a wave of negotiations aimed at fostering reciprocal trade relationships.

INEOS, a global chemical company, has partnered with subsea technology experts KUM to implement baseline seismicity monitoring for the Greensand carbon storage project in the North Sea. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of sustainable carbon capture and storage solutions. Project Overview The Greensand project aims to store captured carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas fields beneath the North Sea. By doing so, it seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts. The project is part of a broader initiative to develop carbon capture technology as a viable means of achieving net-zero emissions.

Denarius Metals, a Canadian junior exploration company, has officially commenced mining activities at its Zancudo gold-silver project in Colombia. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it embarks on the production phase of this historic site.

In a strategic move to bolster its supply chain and mitigate potential tariff impacts, Honda Motor Company has announced plans to source hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota Motor Corporation's U.S. plant. This collaboration marks a significant shift in the automotive industry, highlighting the growing importance of domestic production and inter-company cooperation.