Business Chambers & Associations

on May, 23 2024

Cambodia is not without its own collection of individuals and businesses working together for a common goal, many of which can offer significant benefits to those starting up and managing operations here.

With several business chambers and business associations operating in Cambodia (mainly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap), there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded individuals in the business fraternity who mainly want to promote the Kingdom as an investment destination. We also look at the role of embassies, unions and employer associations in Cambodia from a business perspective.

Tell Me More About The National Business Chambers In Cambodia

There are more than a dozen foreign national business chambers operating in Cambodia. The business chambers provide assistance to overseas companies doing business in Cambodia, as well as to foreign-owned and managed businesses operating in the country.

While the primary purpose of these organisations is to represent individuals and businesses from their home countries, some business chambers offer memberships to people of any nationality and are open to both individuals and companies.

By maintaining regular contact with key government and ministerial representatives, business chambers seek to ensure that you and your business’s interests are being well represented in discussions between the public and private sectors, and often the business chambers will have high-ranking officials attend to provide keynote speeches and insights into any pivots of policies.

Some business professionals join multiple chambers in Cambodia, while others are patriotic and stick with one chamber of their nationality or region, but it’s good business sense to be involved across multiple chambers.
The cost of membership to these business chambers varies.
The boards of these national chambers generally comprise elected oppositions from leading business representatives representing the major sectors of the Cambodian market, making sure your interests are being addressed by an expert in those fields.

Four Reasons To Join A Cambodian Business Chamber In Cambodia

The business chambers in Cambodia offer practical advice on the business and investment climate in the country, as well as offering workshops, webinars and Q&A to address contemporary issues of running a business - guests may include industry experts from the business community and government ministries.
Chambers of business are a good source in terms of developing your network of contacts and promoting your business in Cambodia.
These associations provide information to new and returning members so that your business profile and connections with potential customers are as strong and visible as possible.
Being a member may also strengthen the brand image of companies in the local market and consequently allows them to distinguish themselves for having internationally respected standards of doing business.
Chambers can also help with very practical matters of cooperation in some cases on navigating the Cambodian business landscape.

Which International Chambers Of Business & Associations Operate In Cambodia?

Three organisations, the British Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (BritCham Cambodia), the Franco-Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (CCFC) and the German Business Group Cambodia (ADW) were instrumental in the formation of the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham), which was inaugurated in June 2011.

EuroCham is a major resource for questions on trade, investment and business information. Its objective is to act on business organisations’ and individuals’ interests for business facilitation, regulatory exchange and dispute resolution as well as promote European economic and cultural relations with Cambodia and vice versa.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AusCham Cambodia) was established under the moniker of ABAC (The Australian Business Association of Cambodia) in the 90s to provide a social setting to establish good relationships between the two countries’ business people. The organisation operates alongside Australian businesses, the Australian Embassy and the Cambodian Government.
AmCham (The American Chamber of Business in Cambodia) was founded in 1996, and supports, advocates and promotes the contribution to the regional and global advancement of the Cambodian business environment, professional development and technological innovations.
The Thai Business Council in Cambodia (TBCC) includes Thai business people who reside in Thailand and Cambodia and provide information and guidance to Thai investors interested in doing business and/or investing in Cambodia.
The Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC) has been operating since 1993 and changed its name from the Malaysian Business Chambers of Cambodia to the MBCC in 2019.
In late 2019, a China Chamber of Commerce opened in Sihanoukville within the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) but the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA) seems to be the main representative.
The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) was set up in Cambodia to serve as an investment and business information centre to support businessmen and investors of India and the Kingdom. There is also InCham (Indian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia) and the Indian Business Chamber in Cambodia (IBCC) launched in late 2023/ start of 2024 supported by the Indian Embassy in Cambodia.

KoCham Cambodia (Korean Chamber of Commerce Cambodia) was established in 2007 and acts as an advocacy for Korean business in Cambodia.
JBAC (Japanese Business Association of Cambodia) was established in 1992 and strives for the further development of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
The Hong Kong Business Association of Cambodia (KBAC) is dedicated to promoting Hong Kong business opportunities in Cambodia.
CCIFC represents the interests of French businesses - French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia (CCIFC) is a business platform that aims to promote economic relations and commercial and industrial exchanges between the two countries.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (IndoCham) and The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN).
Singapore Club Cambodia (SCC) and Singapore Business & Investment Forum (SBIF) represent Singaporean business interests in Cambodia.
Formerly the German Business Group Cambodia (ADW), is now called the GBC (German Business Cambodia), and is represents German business activities in Cambodia
CanCham (Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation whose members represent various sectors and industries in Cambodia.
The International Business Chamber (IBC) is an officially registered body founded in 1993 that represents member companies from dozens of countries, many of which are subsidiaries of major international businesses.
- The IBC is open to corporations regardless of national affiliation and provides networking, speakers’ lunches, briefings on economic and political developments, conference and workshop organising, meetings with visiting delegations, social events, and more.
- The mission of the IBC is to “provide leadership in creating a forum for international and local businesses and business associations having an interest in Cambodia to work together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation for mutual benefit” while also aiming to “foster constructive relations with the Royal Government”.
There have been a raft of new associations formed, including the Cambodia Confederation of Investors Association (CCIA), The Cambodian Oknha Association (both established in 2023), and the announcement of the Cambodia-Australia Business Council in 2024.

What Professional Associations Are Available In Cambodia?

Aside from the various national business chambers, there are numerous organisations based around particular industry sectors or professions.

Being a member can be highly beneficial. Hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism professionals, logistics firms, NGOs, insurance companies, land valuers, garment manufacturers and the extractive industries all have their own associations, to name a few.

Below are just a cross-section of some of the professional associations in the Kingdom.

The Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC
Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia
Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia - TAFTAC (formerly known as Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia)
Cambodia Microfinance Association
Cambodia Hotel Association
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents
Cambodia Restaurant Association
CVEA-Cambodia Valuer And Estate Agent Association
The Cambodian Association for Mining and Exploration Companies (CAMEC)
Cambodia Freight Forwarders Association (CAMFFA)
The Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs’ Association (CWEA), provides a representative platform for women in the business world. CWEA facilitates the growth of women’s business activities through mentorship, training, and even advertising members’ services during events.
The Overseas Press Club
Philanthropic associations such as the Lighthouse Club and Rotary International also represent their various members in Cambodia.

Are There Unions In Cambodia?

Unions in Cambodia have proliferated since the government’s adoption of a new labour code in 1997. While mainly associated with the garment industry there also Cambodian unions active in other industries as diverse as hospitality, teaching, transportation, construction as well as rubber and tobacco plantations.

There were estimated to be approximately 5,000 unions by 2020, mainly comprising local unions, and around 30 confederation unions as well as nine employers' associations.

The Cambodian Labour Advisory Committee is chaired by the Minister of Labour,.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has since the early 1990s been an active partner in Cambodia’s economic, social and democratic recovery, playing an important role in helping to restore livelihoods, generate sustainable employment, rebuild infrastructure and set up and strengthen democratic institutions.
Better Factories Cambodia, working in the garment industry, is a unique programme managed by the ILO and supported by the government, trade unions and the industry employers’ association.

What Are The Roles Of Employers Associations In Cambodia?

CAMFEBA (Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations) is a representative organisation for employers and businesses and represents more than 2,000 unionised and non-unionised Cambodian businesses.

Established due to the increasing need for the private sector to stand together with a unified voice, CAMFEBA has become the single federation representing, promoting and safeguarding the rights and interests of employers in Cambodia.

CAMFEBA is also an autonomous and independent federation of employers and business associations recognised and registered with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

How Can Embassies Help My Business And Me In Cambodia?

The embassies formally established in Cambodia offer a range of business-related services to their respective expatriate community, from expert advice about the investment climate to assistance in promoting a company’s product/s but also the assistance of course to citizens of that respective country.

At the start of 2024, there were 29 embassies and a European Union delegation from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

For US companies, the US Embassy Commercial Services in Phnom Penh helps customise business needs in local markets. The services offered include trade counselling, market intelligence, business matchmaking and commercial diplomacy that can help businesses connect with opportunities in the Kingdom.
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Cambodia aims to help British exporters and investors and that includes British companies that have already set up shop in Cambodia. UKTI believes in mutual prosperity, so it works to build capability in different industries and build best practices, not just for British companies, but for the whole industry.
AusTrade fulfils a similar function and can be contacted through the Australian Embassy.