On January 16, 2019, BASF celebrated the opening of BASF (Cambodia) Co., Limited in Phnom Penh. With this wholly-owned foreign company  BASF wants to do business mainly in the  Cambodia´s agricultural sector, but will also engage in the footwear industry and other industrial sectors. German Ambassador Dr. Ingo Karsten considers the establishment of BASF´s subsidiary as a sign of a growing interest of German companies to participate in the economic development of Cambodia.