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Business Chambers & Associations in Cambodia

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 operating in Cambodia (mainly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap), there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded business brains.

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Updated March 2021

  • 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 here.
  • 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.
  • Some business professionals join multiple chambers in Cambodia, others are patriotic and stick with one chamber from their country, but it’s good business sense to be in multiple chambers.
  • The cost of a membership to these chambers is not extravagant, and can usually be offset by just a couple for new business.
  • By maintaining regular contact with 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 sector.
  • The boards of these national chambers generally comprise leading business representatives from all of the major sectors of the Cambodian market, making sure your interests are being addressed by an expert in those fields.
  • The business chambers help business people primarily by offering them a voice in the community and Cambodian public sector.
  • It may be beneficial to join a business chamber for many reasons.
  • They offer practical advice on the business and investment climate in the country, and instructional workshops, webinars and Q&A’s are often held to address current issues of running a business, often including special guests and industry experts from the business community and Government Ministries.
  • Chambers of business are handy in terms of developing your network of contacts and promoting your business in Cambodia.
  • These associations provide information, signposting and introductions for new and returning members so that your business profile and connections with potential customers are as strong and visible as possible.
  • Being part of a national business chamber may also strengthen the brand image of national 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.
  • A number of Chambers also run annual awards which recognise local businesses and CSR initiatives.
  • Three of these 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.
  • Through the members associated with AusCham, 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.
  • French Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFC) provides an opportunity to share business resources and experiences and is popular with the French-Speaking business community.
  • In late 2019, a China Chamber of Commerce opened in Sihanoukville within the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ).
  • The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also set up in Cambodia to serve as an investment and business information centre to support businessmen and investors of India and the Kingdom. InCham (Indian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia) and is supported by the Indian Embassy in Cambodia.
  • KoCham Cambodia (Korean Chamber of Commerce Cambodia) was established in 2007 and acts as 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.
  • Hong Kong Business Association of Cambodia (KBAC) is dedicated to promoting HK business opportunities in Cambodia.
  • CanCham (Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose members represent various sectors and industries in Cambodia.
  • The Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (PhilCham Cambodia) held its official launch in Phnom Penh on the 21st of January 2021.
  • The Italian Cambodian Business Association (ICBA) launched the “Italy in Cambodia” project in 2021.
  • 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 such as Bayer, Chevron and General Electric.
  • Arguably the most important role that the IBC plays is its part in the Government-Private Sector Forum (‘G-PSF’), a biannual meeting between the Cambodian Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the business community. 
  • Hosting and providing briefings to visiting missions is one of the most significant roles that the chamber plays in promoting business and investment in the Kingdom.
  • 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”.
  • The embassies offer a range of business-related services to their respective expatriate community, from expert advice about the investment climate to assist in promoting a company’s product/s.
  • For US companies, the US Embassy Commercial Services in Phnom Penh help 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 fulfills a similar function for its countrymen and women, and can be contacted through the Australian Embassy.
  • A number of nations don’t have embassies in Cambodia but may have a consul in the Kingdom.
  • The Danish Honorary Consul in Cambodia opened the new Danish Visa Application Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2021.
  • Aside from the IBC and 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. There is also an Overseas Press Club, the bar association, one for microfinance, health professionals, and philanthropic associations such as the Lighthouse Club and Rotary International.
  • The Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs’ Association (CWEA), for example, provides a representative platform for women in the business world. CWEA is the only association of its kind; facilitating the growth of women’s business activities through mentorship, training, and even advertising members’ services during events.
  • There are a number of associations for specific industries in Cambodia as well.
  • The Cambodian Association for Mining and Exploration Companies and the Cambodia Freight Forwarders Association (CAMFFA) are just a couple.
  • The Cambodian Association of Finance and Technology (CAFT) was established to provide a dynamic forum for partnerships, advocacy and investment in Cambodia’s burgeoning fintech sector.
  • It is becoming more and more unlikely that you won’t find an organisation in Cambodia representing your industry.
  • Unions in Cambodia have proliferated since the government’s adoption of a new labour code in 1997. While mainly associated with the garment industry (representing over 500,000 workers in 2020), they are also active in other industries as diverse as hospitality, teaching, transportation, construction as well as rubber and tobacco plantations.
  • As of late 2011 the Cambodian Labour Movement comprised 50 separate union federations and 11 associations, 44 of which were involved in the garment industry.
  • The Cambodian Labour Advisory Committee is chaired by the Minister of Labour, has a formal composition of seven trade union representatives, seven employer representatives, and 14 government representatives.
  • The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has also, 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.
  • CAMFEBA (Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations) is a representative organisation for employers and businesses, which is almost an antithesis of the unions.
  • CAMFEBA is also an autonomous and independent federation of employers and Business Associations recognised and registered with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
  • 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.
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