The event discussed various topics, including trade partnerships, investment opportunities, and the future of cross-border business initiatives. Keynote speakers shared valuable insights into market trends, regulatory frameworks, and strategic alliances. Participants engaged in interactive discussions and networking sessions, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in various sectors.

The event brought forth esteemed speakers such as H.E. Sarath Ying, Secretary of State on Foreign Investment and International Relations, Professor Dr Ky Sreyvath from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Andrew Tay, Director of Himawari Hotel Apartments, Liow Yee Kai, Senior Consultant for DFDL, and  Catherine Chan, Director Goldfame Group.

The collaboration between One Globe Network and Singapore Club Cambodia has received positive feedback from participants and industry stakeholders. The event’s success has underscored the growing interest in fostering stronger ties between Singapore and Cambodia, creating a conducive business expansion and investment environment.

To end the forum, SCC President Andrew Tay and Logistics & Supply Chain Business Association in Cambodia (LOSCBA) President Chea Chandara signed an MOU together with the presence of H.E. Yin Sarath. The MOU ceremony marks the future cooperation between the two associations, such as business exchanges, networking, seminars, and consulting.

Overall, the SIN-CAM Cross-Border Business Forum catalysed bilateral business relations and promoted collaboration between the business communities of Singapore and Cambodia. The event’s insightful discussions and meaningful connections will soon lead to tangible business opportunities and partnerships.

Photo by: Engly Tuy (Sakura)

This MoU provides a framework to intensify the cooperation between the two parties to strengthen responsible inclusive practices from a risk management perspective to promote responsible growth, enhance financial stability and increase consumer protection in Cambodia. The MoU also comes in the context of Smart Campaign phasing out, leading to the Cerise+SPTF partnership to play a more active role in that space.

The Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC)  and SPTF agreed to cooperate in several, including supporting members in successfully adopting the BFIs’ Code of Conduct; supporting members in assessing compliance with BFIs’ Code of Conduct, and identifying areas for improvement; monitoring the progress and challenges of the adoption of the Code of Conduct in the banking system via the use of the Code of Conduct and CP Standards harmonized tool; building the capacity of the members to implement the client protection practices in the Code of Conduct; and finally seeking to be a success story for the Mekong region and Southeast Asia while signaling to external markets and investors that we are aiming for consistency with international good practice. The commitment of ABC members also includes increasing the financial awareness and literacy of the Cambodian people and improving their approach to client protection.

“Banking is built on trust & confidence with our customers, consumer Protection is an important part of banking. The MoU signing ceremony with SPTF would contribute to empowering client protection in Cambodia and also reinforcing the strength & reputation of our banking industry.” Raymond Sia, Chairman of the Association of Banks in Cambodia said.

He added, “We call- out to all our members to adhere to the principles of the Code and embedded it into their policies and procedures.” 

“We are delighted to cement this relationship with the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC). Our work with ABC will include a substantial number of capacity-building workshops on governance and tools for strengthening client protection in banks in Cambodia which is paramount. In addition, I offer my most sincere thanks to the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, whose steadfast commitment to our work in Cambodia has been decisive in our ability to create impact.” Nitin Madan, Director of SPTF’s RIFF-SEA commented.

In his congratulation Speech, Heng Bomakara, Deputy Director General of Banking Supervision of the National Bank of Cambodia said, “The MOU will help pave the way of fostering the effective implementation of the Code of Conduct with the target of promoting responsible growth, enhancing financial stability and increasing consumer protection.”

He added, “Consumer protection is a prioritized task that all related parties must take into high consideration to maintain the public’s confidence and promote financial inclusion in Cambodia while also maintaining the overall stability of the banking system.”

Photo by: Supplied 

On the issue of a temporary ban on buffalo meat from India, Dr. Khobragade conveyed that India has already taken measures as per WHO’s guidelines for maintaining high personal hygiene standards as a means of containing and stopping transmission of Covid-19 virus in these plants. WHO, FAO, International Meat Secretariat, Paris and World Organisation for Animal Health (OEI), USFDA, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs), and other well known international organizations have clearly said that there is no scientific evidence currently to prove that COVID-19 spreads through food and food packaging. It was also stressed that India is exporting bovine meat uninterruptedly to more than 70 countries even during the COVID-19 without any issues so far.

Pasteur Institute of Cambodia had already tested 105 samples of frozen buffalo meat already arrived in Cambodia and certified all of them to be COVID-19-negative.

H.E. Pan Sorasak conveyed that the temporary ban was imposed as a measure to prevent the entry and spread of the new B1617 variant, which is reportedly more severe and also taking into consideration the health-related concerns of Cambodia, which has already suffered due to the February 20 Community Event resulting in lockdowns, inter-provincial travel ban, and other restrictive measures.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has already set up an Adhoc Commission headed by the Director-General of Customs & Excise to look into this issue and give its recommendations on the way forward. He expressed hope that the Adhoc Commission will try to resolve the issue and adopt measures, which can satisfy both countries’ concerns.

During the meeting, India and Cambodia have also discussed the course of action that is required to be taken to take the trade relationship forward, including exchange of Diplomatic Notes on Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India-Cambodia Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment and Terms of Reference (ToR) for establishment and rules of procedure for the Trade Negotiating Committee to carry out negotiations for the proposal Preferential Trade Agreement.

On May 14, 2021, H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade visited Kep province and met provincial authorities. During her visit, Ambassador Khobragade also visited the Kep Dam, pepper plantation farms, and the site of the proposed ASEAN Highway. The provincial officials briefed her about the development priorities of the province. Provincial officials also expressed their desire to submit a proposal to the Indian Embassy to develop the dam into an eco-tourism destination. This project is expected to improve local livelihoods and expand tourism potential in Kep. In addition, provincial officials also requested the Embassy to provide training courses to improve the capacity building of their officials in tourism development.

On May 15, 2021, H.E Dr. Devyani Khobragade visited Kampot and met H.E Mr. Ney Kong, Deputy Governor of Kep Province, and his team including Mr. Soy Sinol, Director of Kep Tourism Department, and Mr. Pov Ratanak, Deputy Director of Kep Cultural Department. They accompanied her to Phnom Chgnork, a Hindu cave temple located in Bos Trabek Village, Trapeang Pring Commune, Teuk Chhou District, Kampot Province. The temple was built in the 7th century in the Funan era, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Since India is closely involved with the restoration of various temples in Cambodia, including Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear Temple, the provincial officials have requested the Government of India to consider the possibility of restoration of the Phnom Chhnok temple. Given the bad road conditions, they have also requested a road project leading from the temple to the main road under the Quick Impact Project Scheme.

Source: India in Cambodia (Embassy of India, Phnom Penh)

The farm Owner has mentioned for this year, her mango plantation is not profitable and the resale to traders is cheap, it should not be, because her farm is next to the main road, it should be more valuable.

According to the press, it should be expensive, everyone hopes it gets more valuable because there are many markets such as China, Korea, but in the end, it is not like what we expected. Selling mangoes don’t repay for the chemicals.

For the Vietnamese market, there is not much selection of mangoes, but the Chinese market is very selective. China buys 2 or 3 mangoes that weigh 1 kg, if not, they do not buy it, so farmers try their best to take care of the farm to meet the needs of the China market. There was a problem when the time to harvest mangoes came, so the farmers lost money because the Chinese did not buy their mangoes as the mangoes did not meet the set standards, so they were forced to throw away the mangoes.

Farmers are affected by business with China, it is very difficult. I am the owner of the plantation. I face a little bit of a problem because I have contracted with the farmer, the farmer is the one who gets the most relief, he doesn’t take care of it, buy fertilizer or pay the workers.

Last year, I leased my farm to a farmer. On harvest day the price was very low, so he ran away and didn’t give me any money. Previously, I could earn between $10,000 to $20,000, but today I only earn $500, so this year I planted only 3/10 of the whole plantation.

I am a farmer who contracted his farm, today is the day to harvest, but farmers like us do not sell for profit, we sell to getting back some money. It is very cheap.

When the Ministry of Agriculture advertised, mangoes were at good prices, but today mangoes sell for only $0.035 per kilo.

No Chinese came to buy our mangoes; they buy when our mangoes are clean and look nice.

It is complicated to do business with the Chinese because before they contract with us, they come to check 1 or 2 times, and each time, it takes many days to get the feedback. We can’t wait for the Chinese, if we wait, mango will ripen, so we will have to sell to Vietnam instead of china.

My mango depot name is Fulong. We buy mangoes and export them to China, Quang Shie province. Some days we export 20 to 60 tons of mangoes. We buy mangoes which are clean and look nice. The standard mangoes are glossy yellow and 2 or 3 mangoes weigh 1 kg.

If the Chinese border opens, the mango market will get good prices and farmers will be happy

Covid-19 has hit the business hard. Now, the Chinese border is closed, and in North China, all supermarkets do not accept mangoes from abroad, so it affects me.

Source: A24 News Agency 

As December of 2020 comes to a close, everyone is looking forward to counting down the year new and praying the next year brings a return to normal with better business opportunities and the job market becoming more stable. All of the tenants in the Midtown-mall and the mall management are preparing to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome to 2021.

Mr. David Weng, Managing Director of Midtown-mall and also the representative of KAO CHENG International Enterprise Co., LTD, shared his experience and ideas of the year 2020 and Covid-19, which has been affecting us for almost a full year. He pointed out that the Covid-19 situation not only affected the Midtown-mall, it also affected the rest of the world, causing almost everyone to make changes to their lifestyle. Just as people had to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions, businesses also had to restructure and make changes to their business models.

Currently, everyone is waiting for the vaccine to arrive in Cambodia. During this difficult time, the Midtown-mall’s management team is trying to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Health in Cambodia and is doing their best to make sure every location in the Midtown-mall is providing a safe experience every day for employees and customers by performing deep cleaning, enforcing personal hygiene standards, providing alcohol for disinfection, and measuring temperatures at all entrance to ensure the safety of all customers and tenants.

Mr. David Weng, said “Okay! The situation of Covid-19 has gone up and down all year. At the Midtown-mall we have tried to protect all by requiring the wearing the masks, even providing masks to those who needed them, taking temperatures, and doing whatever we could to protect the mall and its customers. We also have encouraged the tenants to do whatever they can to ensure all of our customers are safe”.

Mr. Weng expressed his wishes for customers and tenants for the New Year 2021. He wishes that everyone stays very healthy and is able to avoid the Covid-19 pandemic. He especially would like to see things get back to normal so that everyone will have a good and prosperous year for 2021.

Midtown’s management, staff, and all the tenants have been working hard to fight the Covid-19 situation for a very long time. All the tenants are doing their best to support the mall and Midtown-mall’s management and appreciate everyone for the help and cooperation since the mall reopened.

Weng added more on 2021: The Midtown-mall will have a full year plan with a very specific marketing strategy to support tenants, meanwhile, the mall confirms the yearly plan such seasonal events every month, collaboration with sponsors, creation of promotions, and especially the mall will be changing the new face by new decoration by the season to attract the customers to visit our tenants.

Mr. David Weng said “We will talk to all our tenants and seek their collaboration so we can help each other and at the beginning, everyone has given their opinions and their suggestions so we can make the marketing of the mall or promotion of mall better and more collaborative. In the next year, we will have marketing and also protection and anything else that could help the businesses grow, then we will do it”.

Midtown-mall and all the tenants are enduring the pandemic of the Covid-19 situation and are encouraged to motivate each other. They are wishing after the year 2020 their businesses will be stable as in previous years.

Photo by: SPA Team & Sakura Engly

The lucky drawing was organized with a huge crowd of customers, which made the program even brighter. The grand prize of the lucky draw included a trip to Europe for two people, Motorbike brand ZOOMER X 2020, Mobile Phone Samsung Galaxy Fold, Samsung TV 55 inch, bicycle brand GIANT and other prizes.

Borey Amory 7 Makara extended their sincere thanks to all customers who have always supported and invested with Borey Amory 7 Makara. In addition to the special promotion day, Borey Amory 7 Makara offered customers a 12% discount and an additional 1,500L of gasoline.

Borey Amory 7 Makara officially opened on the 29^th of October 2019 with 32-hectares, located at the new economic zone at Chroy Changva satellite city and along 7 Makara road and linked to the national highway road number 6A across from Ly Yong Phat to National Road number 5. Surrounding the Borey Amory 7 Makara are a lot of Boreys, including Phnom Penh Safari, Win – Win Monument, Morodok Techo National Stadium, Garden City Water Park, and another real estate development. I It is an especially attractive area for living.

Amory 7 Makara also sales land plots such as:
Option 1 Land Size: 5m x 20m
Option 2 Land Size: 10m x 20m
Option 3 Land Size: 20m X 30m

House types in Borey Amory 7 Makara Project:
Commercial House: Type AE0 + E1 + E2
Commercial House: Type BE0 + E1
Hybrid Villas: Type E0 + E1 + E2

For further information, please contact: Mr. Chhun Thai Eang, Senior Sales Manager of Amory 7 Makara and Telephone: 078 909 999 or visit the Facebook Page for more detail: Amory 7Makara and www.AmoryGroup.com

Photo by: Sakura 

The opening ceremony was led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Sudirman Haseng. Mr. Noam Lazuardy, The First Secretary of the Embassy in charge of Economic Affairs shared information on Indonesia-Cambodia Bilateral Economic Cooperation and Outlook for 2020.

Mr. Tan Yuvaroath, Representative from Ministry of Commerce shared business opportunities in Cambodia and Mr. Oktavianus, Country Head of Kalbe International, among others, explained about Kalbe’s experience entering the Cambodian market as well as ICBC towards 2020. Besides that, there were also presentations about tourism promotion and investment opportunities by Jepara Regency and a product presentation from an Indonesian company for building materials, GRC Board.

H.E. Sudirman Haseng, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, said “The goal of the event was to create a platform for Indonesian and Cambodian entrepreneurs to meet, create more business opportunities, and foster trade cooperation between the two countries”.

The Business Forum was attended by around 80 people who were from Indonesian companies, the Indonesia-Cambodia Business Club (ICBC), and delegates from Jepara Regency in the northeast of the Indonesian province of Central Java. These companies operate in tourism, batik, furniture, beauty, fashion, and building materials, among other sectors. And representatives from Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Cambodia Commercial Attaché to Indonesia, Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, Cambodia Footware Association, Cambodian Young Entrepreneur, FASMEC and CWEA also participated.

Photo by: Sakura

The event was sharing experience by Panha S. Theng, the founder and producer at 606 Media, a digital media startup working on video media and digital content. Before devoting herself full-time to 606, Panha had experience working at various media companies in television and NGOs on both commercial and social impact projects. Panha has made several documentaries on her own issues including climate charge, deforestation and civil rights. Her work has been shown in different countries in Asia and on national television.

Prof. Yuen Yuen Ang, Assistant Professor presented the topic “Using What You Have: Building Markets in Emerging Economies”. Prof. Ang is an Associate Professor of Political Science and a China specialist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has been named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow for “High Calibar scholarship on the most pressing issue” by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Ang studies economic and political development and adaptive governance focusing on emerging markets. Her expertise is widely sought on Chinese development, the Chinese political economy and China’s rising global role. Ang is the author of an award winning book “How China Escaped the Poverty Trap” and a forthcoming book “May 2020” China’s Gilded Age.

Prof. Ang also presented preliminary findings of her new project, which investigates how new markets emerge in the absence of first-world conditions across the Global South. Conventional wisdom insists that poor countries must first replicate the good and strong institutions of the first world in order to become wealthy. However, facing numerous constraints, how can low- and lower-medium income countries spur new markets and entrepreneurship? Instead of emulating developed economies, what can emerging economies learn from other emerging economies? Prof. Ang will therefore draw some preliminary conclusions from three case studies, i.e. Cambodia (tech start-ups), India (finance & home mortgages), Nigeria (Nollywood and media industry).

The Panel discussion “Building prosperous and resilient SMEs in Cambodia” was lead by Prof. Yuen Yuen Ang and H.E Vanarith Chheang, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Policy of Ministry of Economy and Finance. Vanarith is currently in charge of macroeconomic and fiscal policy formulation. In addition, he is a Deputy Secretary General of Committee on Economic and Financial Policy which covers formulation of major national development strategy and policy as well as reform measures. He is a well-experienced government official in policy formulation and reform-related area. H.E Vanarith holds dual Master’s degrees in Economics and Public Policy from Georgetown University United States.

Pauline Tamesis is the UN Resident Coordinator to Cambodia since 2018. Before coming to Cambodia, she spent two years in Thailand as Chief of the Country Office Support at UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub. Prior to that, she also served as UNDP Country Director in Bangladesh. Tamesis has more than 20 years of experience in development cooperation. Her areas are policy development advocacy and management with the UN and other International Practice Leaders, and Practice Manager and Anti-Corruption Policy Advisor with UNDP Bureau for Development Policy in New York.

Alan Soon started Splice to help drive the transformation of the media industry in Asia. He believes they’re seeing the unraveling of the mass media model into niche media startups serving smaller but highly engaged communities, He believes we’re in a golden age of media. The mission at Splice is to support the growth and sustainability of these media startups across Asia. He has been in media for over two decades. He has worked in radio, TV, Newspaper, Magazine and online.

Pong Limsan currently services as founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Womenteeh Asia Co., Ltd. She also works as a freelance IT consultant for IT development projects from different ministries of the Royal Government of Cambodia including the Ministry of Health as well as from private institutions. Limsan has over 15 years of professional experience in IT and technology innovation in the solutions field.

Photo by: Supplied

A new option is available for the wealthy. Investing in a second passport could mean greater mobility and unrestricted access to many countries. It could mean more freedom, more access to opportunities, insurance to the future, and even a way to turn dreams into reality.

Mr. George Eid, Vice President Business Development of Arton Capital, recently did a road show in Cambodia for the company’s services on global citizenship. Arton Capital is a leading global citizenship advisory firm that recently partnered with Exotic Capital, a group firm co-founded by entrepreneur, host and Ms. Voeung Chan Delice to offer its services in Cambodia. Mr. George Eid, said: “The Cambodian launch is a very important one as we see the affluent expanding their business into Europe and greater interest towards Global Citizenship We are excited to work with Exotic Capital as our partner in the country.”

A Cambodian whose passport grants him visa-free access to 66 countries could buy into, let’s say, a Montenegro or Portuguese citizenship and more than double his travel freedom. Either one of those passports would give him visa-free or electronic travel authority access to at least 123 countries, including Schengen-member states.

For others, it means their children could access world-class education. Their aging parents could get better health care. They could expand their business, secure their future against political unrest, climate change or any other reason requiring them to renounce their original citizenship.

Arton Capital empowers individuals and families to become Global Citizens. This is accomplished through a high-end service experience, which simplifies complexity and is supported and sustained by long-term relationships. As a global financial advisory firm, specializing in investor programs for residence and citizenship Arton plays a critical role in helping governments, consultants, legal and financial professionals and investors to meet their goals quickly, efficiently and more effectively.

Furthermore, as an industry leader, Arton curates the Global Citizen Forum, where delegates, government representatives and industry patrons meet annually to exchange, build awareness, educate and promote global citizenship. Arton places a high importance on its corporate social responsibility programs and as a co-founder of the Global Citizen Foundation, the company is joined by its team, partners and clients to contribute to the development of the next generation of leaders and enriching education policies worldwide.

Arton’s global operations are spread over 15 offices around the world and oversee over US $4 billion of investments in Global Citizen programs.  Arton Capital is a member of The Arton Group, which is comprised of licensed banking, financial advisory and investment consulting companies tailored to the needs of global citizens.

Arton’s working on Global Citizen Programs to North America: Canada (Quebec), USA, Europe: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal, Caribbean: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Global Citizen Programs North America: Canada (Quebec) Immigrant Investor Program, USA EB-5 Europe: Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria, Citizenship by investment program Cyprus, Portugal Investor Residency Program Caribbeans: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programs

For more information please contact to Ms. Voeung Chan Delice, Chairwoman of Exotic Capital and Telephone number 078 820 840, E-mail: chandelice@gmail.com/ chandelice@exoticcapital.asia and Address: No. 12, St. 348, Sangkat Toul Svay Prey, Khan Chamkamrn, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. 

 Photo by: Engly Tuy (Sakura) 

“Shiok Biz+” is organized every first Friday of the month and its purpose is to pave the way for the Singaporean and British communities to meet and to connect to the business men and business women in Cambodia.

The “Shiok Biz+” event will give guests and members an exceptional opportunity to expand their business networks and establish valuable relationships with business executives and owners.

Those interested in joining the next event please contact the Singapore Club Cambodia:
Telephone: 070 666 848
E-mail: Info@singaporeclubcambodia.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeClubCambodia/

Photo by: Engly Tuy (Sakura)