Doing business outside Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is still the heart and centre of Cambodia’s business activity with most corporate headquarters based in the capital as well as it being the financial hub of Cambodia.

Beyond Phnom Penh’s horizon, there remains a lot of business opportunities in the other Cambodian cities and in rural areas. 

Siem Reap, which has been trying to diversify, but tourism and the F&B industry remain its biggest industry. It does offer a myriad of opportunities to the enterprising business person.

Cambodia’s beautiful coastline is increasingly attracting global recognition, and that growing awareness has led to exciting prospects for businesses in Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and the surrounding areas. 

Battambang is quickly developing as a local business hub while also establishing a unique identity as an alluring destination for stopover tourists between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

There are several eco-tourist areas that are growing in their appeal such as in Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and in Koh Kong.

Updated March 2021

  • People come to Siem Reap for one overarching reason: to visit the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park.
  • As a result, the town relies heavily on tourism. Siem Reap is a popular option to those in the hospitality and tourism industries and there have been improvements in creating world-class MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition) facilities.
  • The standard of quality in accommodation, food and beverage, and leisure activities in Siem Reap are some of the highest Cambodia has to offer. Adventure tourism, eco-tourism and golf courses are just a few of the new attractions available in Siem Reap.
  • As tourism to Siem Reap continues to grow, some infrastructure capacity issues have arisen. Both the local government and the private sector are increasingly taking steps to increase this capacity.
  • Water is city-sourced, which means you may encounter the occasional shortage. And if you choose to drill a deep well, it may require proper filtration. Water banks are a cost-effective solution.
  • During the wet season (June-October), Siem Reap invariably experiences localised flooding. However, drainage infrastructure has improved considerably, especially around the tourism epicentres.
  • The roads of Siem Reap, and those connecting to the temples and Phnom Penh, have undergone or are undergoing vast developments. 
  • Electrical Power cuts can occur. But Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) has stepped up to meet the high season demand. For those businesses and individuals wishing to ensure stable electricity, backup generators are a worthwhile and affordable option.
  • Installing backup generators is still standard practise for most major hotels and restaurants in the city.
  • Human resources remain one of the chief obstacles to success in the Siem Reap tourism industry.
  • It’s advised to train specialised skills. Retaining staff once these skills have been taught can be difficult as opportunities abound for tourism staff once they have desirable skills. Poaching of staff happens and may come from employers outside the tourism industry.
  • The availability of commercial properties is usually dependent on location and the nature of the business.
  • The top locations are around the Old Market/Pub Street area because of the constant stream of tourists it attracts. However, the spaces are very limited, lease conditions are complex, and prices are hiked every time leases are renewed.
  • Education in Siem Reap runs behind the capital’s (Phnom Penh) offerings, although an increasing number of international schools have opened. The city is home to the Royal Angkor International Hospital, which is affiliated with Bangkok Hospital Medical Center. There are also ambulance and medevac services available.
  • In 2019, 3.9 million passengers used the Siem Reap International Airport.
  • The global pandemic starting in 2020, hit the tourist destination very hard and a number of businesses have closed or moved their operations to the capital.
  • Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has agreed to invest 150 million US dollars to construct 38 roads in Siem Reap province in late 2020. Although these important infrastructure works are important, they have impacted businesses too with road closures and disruptions.
  • A new international airport is being built in Siem Reap, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which is due to be completed by 2023.
  • International visitors to the Kingdom dropped by 80% in 2020 due to COVID-19 and 83% to Siem Reap.
  • As part of the tourism recovery roadmap new projects for the city have been announced to diversify what Siem Reap has to offer: Confluences, together with Iconem, have announced plans to open the first immersive 3D museum in Siem Reap, dedicated to the Khmer heritage in December 2021, called Immersive Angkor.
  • NagaCorp Ltd. confirmed in November 2020 that it was proceeding with its ambitious plans of constructing the provisionally named, “Angkor Lake of Wonder”, a non-gaming resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • Cambodia (and Siem Reap) also received a mention in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Picks for 2021 and has won a number of travel awards in 2020.
  • Located in the northwest of Cambodia, Battambang is the nation’s second-largest city and the fifth-largest province. 
  • Battambang’s fertile rice fields have led to a predominantly agriculture-driven economy, earning it the moniker of “Cambodia’s Rice Bowl”.
  • Other forms of local agriculture are also lucrative, such as Battambang’s famous green oranges. The city is even home to a vineyard and winery, located close to Phnom Bayon temple.
  • Considered the arts capital of Cambodia, Battambang is the birthplace of the famous psychedelic rock/garage rock singer Ros Sereysothea. Upholding this creative tradition are various art galleries and, of course, the revered Phare Ponleu Selpak circus and art school.
  • In light of Battambang’s “unspoiled” image, interesting history and the wealth of well-preserved French colonial architecture in the city centre, tourism is rising and the food and beverage industry has been growing.
  • Consistent electricity can be a problem in Battambang, and business owners that depend on full-time power will need to factor in the cost of a generator.
  • Water is city sourced, or sourced via deep wells and may require filtration for safe drinking.
  • Tourism is growing in Battambang and the main attractions include the ancient temples including Ek Phnom and Banan, Phnom Sampov Mountain (famous for its bat cave), and the bamboo train.
  • In May 2020, the Battambang Tourism Department said the “bamboo train” accounts for around 30% of total tourist visitors in the province.
  • In March 2020, work on the abandoned Battambang airport commenced.
  • The train lines in Cambodia, operated by the Royal Railway, are also expanding and the northern line runs through Battambang, eventually linking up with the Thailand border. It is hoped international trains (Passenger and Freight Services) will start between Cambodia and Thailand.
  • In December 2020, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) was announced to be part of a technical working group conducting studies on the social, economic and environmental impacts of the rejuvenation of the Battambang Airport.
  • Sihanoukville’s commercial and tourism industries have both expanded enormously since around 2018 with massive Chinese backed property and infrastructure developments.
  • Domestic and international tourism has risen substantially and the airport has been undergoing upgrades to keep up with demand. The offshore islands (Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem) are also tourism destinations driving part of that growth, alongside the rapid increase in casinos, flights and cruise ships.
  • The expansion of Sihanoukville’s deepwater port and the boom of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) makes it Cambodia’s commercial gateway to local and international trade.
  • Cambodia’s only deep-sea port is located in Sihanoukville and considerable international financial aid has been spent to improve the infrastructure in the province. 
  • The expansion of the city is also driving land value and rental cost appreciation, especially where development is spilling over into new areas. Most of the Otres beaches have seen wholesale changes from the holiday villas and affordable backpacker accommodation to condos and hotels.
  • Sihanoukville has been developed as a tourism destination in a short space of time. This placed pressure on amenities such as water supply and electricity, although power cuts and water shortages are much less frequent than in Kep or Battambang.
  • Growth has far outstripped the wastewater infrastructure. The Sihanoukville Provincial authorities are well aware of the sewage issues and looking to improve the situation.
  • With improvements being made to the airport, and plans in the pipeline to build an international airport on the island of Koh Rong, business in the province is expected to be boosted greatly. Many new routes have also opened directly to Sihanoukville airport.
  • The rapid number of Chinese backed casinos up until the end of 2019 lead to an increase in charter flights to support the industry although the ban on online gaming from 2020 has halted a lot of growth.
  • A new road linking Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville alongside National Road 4 is part of the Cambodian Road Development Masterplan. This will make a big difference in terms of speed and safety for trade and tourism.
  • The islands off Sihanoukville are increasingly being sold to large developers, and a string of luxury resorts are gradually laying claim to large stretches of beach, some of which were already occupied by smaller hospitalities operators. Keep in mind, any new beach- or island-based business cannot guarantee their land will not one day be sold from under them, as many vendors have experienced in the last ten years.
  • Ensure proper due diligence is done in checking the legitimacy of all titles and/or lease agreements when considering any investment in these popular areas.
  • Since 2016, passenger rail services have been offered from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, in addition to the cargo trains.
  • International visitors to the Kingdom dropped by 80% in 2020 due to COVID-19 and 86% to Sihanoukville.
  • However, the ongoing city-wide infrastructure projects are improving the roads, sewage, water supply, electricity, beachfront areas and more in 2021.
  • Huge development and construction projects are still ongoing and being completed despite the global pandemic: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts opened its first hotel in Cambodia in Sihanoukville in early 2021. The Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham Blue Bay Sihanoukville is a 36-storey upscale hotel.
  • In February 2021, it was also announced that Surbana Jurong’s sustainable development masterplan to develop a US$16 billion “Ream City” in Sihanoukville, was approved by Canopy Sands Development.
  • The Sonja Kill Hospital in Kampot is regarded as one of the best medical centres on the Cambodian coast. Although, any serious injuries are referred to Phnom Penh or abroad.
  • The riverside town has a diverse range of lodgings from hostels to high-end hotels and a fantastic F&B scene.
  • The Bokor National Park is a key attraction, with the Thansur Bokor Highland Resort offering a resort, casino and other attractions.
  • Tourism is popular with Khmers and expats and can be seasonal with the optimal time to visit is the winter months (November-January).
  • The Southern Train line operated by Royal Railways connects Kampot to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
  • The river offers some activities and the Kampot pepper farms and nearby caves are also popular attractions.
  • The Kampot Seaport is due to be completed in 2021 and is expected to appeal to domestic and international tourists.
  • Kampot is set for sustainable energies with investments in wind farms and wind power.
  • Kep Tourism has grown steadily since the 90s and Kep is now among the top five Cambodian tourist destinations. The Government is working on a Kep Tourism masterplan.
  • Tourism is the main drawcard as well as the lure of fresh seafood, in particular at the crab market in Kep.
  • The power grid situation has been vastly improved and there are fewer power cuts.
  • Schooling-wise, The Kep International School (KIS) is available. They follow the Cambridge curriculum and cover classes until the 6th grade.
  • More ATMs are now available at the Beach (ABA Bank, near Koki Restaurant) and an ACLEDA Bank with an ATM at the Damnak Changeur which also facilitates Western Union payments.
  • The Crab Shuttle, which runs between Kampot and Kep (and is seasonal), gives tourists the possibility to travel by boat from Kampot to Kep, spend the day here and then take the sunset cruise back to Kampot. 
  • Water in Kep is generally drawn from personal wells or bought. And as more guest houses are built, less and less water is left in each well, and each new well must be deeper than the last.
  • The South Korean financed Road 33, from Kampot to Kep, Kompong Trach and Angka Saum (a historically hazardous transfer), have improved the trips between Kep and Kampot.
  • All three are popular ecotourism destinations and have seen improvements in their infrastructure and connectivity. 
  • In April 2020, The National Assembly (NA) approved draft laws paving the way for the construction of two coal-fired power plants worth $1.665 billion with the plants to be located in Koh Kong and Oddar Meanchey provinces.
  • Mondulkiri is expected to have an airport built, with the Mondulkiri authorities selecting an area in 2019. In January 2021, it was reported that the Cambodian government had approved in principle the development of a new Mondulkiri Airport.
  • The Provincial Mondulkiri Master Plan” identified 39 tourist destinations in the province.
  • Elephant sanctuaries are found in the mountainous areas of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri 
  • The Dara Sakor International Airport is under construction in Koh Kong and expected to be complete by 2023.
  • The second airport in Koh Kong, which is a joint venture between Ly Yong Phat’s LYP Group and Bangkok Airways Pcl, was postponed in February 2021, due to the impacts of COVID-19.
  • In September 2019, the Chinese-owned Union City Development Group announced that it had invested about $1.2 billion on a project in Koh Kong province called ‘Tourism Vacation Town’.
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