Economy and commerce
Has Cambodia’s economic boom imploded?
Cambodia’s economic rise starkly contrasts the political chaos that reached a climax in November 2017 with the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party — the country’s only major opposition party — and the detention of its leader, Kem Sokha. Prime Minister Hun Sen has ...
Heidi Dahles
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/01/16/has-cambodias-economic-boom-imploded/
Phnom Penh port’s revenue up 14 percent
Following robust growth in cargo shipments, total revenue for state-owned Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP), the second largest harbor in Cambodia, increased by 14 percent in 2017, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50102226/phnom-penh-ports-revenue-up-14-percent/
Cambodia to reduce foreign debt
The government plans to reduce its foreign debt and raise capital through the issuance of bonds, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance has unveiled. “Increasing local borrowing instead of foreign borrowing will improve the country’s trade balance and current account,” said Vong Seyvisoth, ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50102229/cambodia-to-reduce-foreign-debt/
Malaysian motorcycle maker breaks into Cambodian market
DNC Asiatic Holdings Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian manufacturer of motorcycles, will ship 25,000 units of its Demak model to the kingdom this year, in a deal worth $56 million that is part of its overseas expansion strategy. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50101598/malaysian-motorcycle-maker-breaks-cambodian-market/
China asked to buy more sugarcane from Cambodia
During a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Sen asked China to increase imports of Cambodian sugarcane. The officials met in Phnom Penh’s Peace Palace yesterday. ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50101596/china-asked-buy-sugarcane-cambodia/
China deals swiftly signed
Cambodian and Chinese officials and business leaders yesterday signed 19 agreements during a visit to Phnom Penh by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, boosting Chinese investment at a time when the regional power has upped its economic and political support for Hun Sen’s government. ...
Hor Kimsay and Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/china-deals-swiftly-signed
Bag firm plans to grow local operations
Wah Sun Handbags International Holding unveiled plans yesterday to expand its Cambodia operations, citing the country’s low labour costs as the primary reason for the move. In a filing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the handbag manufacturer announced plans to raise up to $18 ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/bag-firm-plans-grow-local-operations
Economy to grow at 6.9 percent in 2018, NBC
The economy will grow by 6.9 percent this year, according to projections from the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), spurred by the robust performance of the tourism, construction and garment sectors. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50101290/economy-grow-6-9-percent-2018-nbc/
Chinese, local firms sign agricultural deals worth $526M
More than a dozen Chinese companies inked deals to purchase about $526 million worth of agricultural products from Cambodian firms on Monday. The 34 agreements between 14 Chinese firms and 18 Cambodian firms were announced by the two country’s commerce ministries at a press conference ...
Post Staff
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/chinese-local-firms-sign-agricultural-deals-worth-526m
Cambodia finds new target for real estate: Chinese investors
Across this traditionally low-rise Cambodian capital, a building boom is becoming more noticeable as it pushes higher into the sky, and its largest projects are often geared towards Chinese investors, who have only recently taken interest in the nation’s real estate market. ...
Chris Horton
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/business/cambodia-real-estate.html
Inflation in 2017 low and ‘manageable’
Inflation in Cambodia last year reached 2.9 percent due to a moderate increase in the price of key commodities, particularly petroleum and agricultural goods, with the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) saying the low inflation rate was a product of sound macroeconomic management. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50100904/inflation-2017-low-manageable/
Chinese companies playing active role in Lancang-Mekong Cooperation
Since the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism less than two years ago, many Chinese companies have been active players in the cooperation, greatly boosting regional development in the six riparian countries. Jiang Zengwei, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International ...
Fei Liena, Lu Juan, and Mao Pengfei
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/10/c_136885593.htm
Delinquent loan rate continues to rise
The rate of microfinance loans with overdue payments nearly doubled last year according to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), though it remained within a normal range and was coupled with a rise in deposits. ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/delinquent-loan-rate-continues-rise
Evictions sweep away Sihanoukville beach businesses
The New Year brought a new wave of evictions and development to more than 5 square kilometres on Preah Sihanouk province’s Ochheuteal Beach, though local authorities remain in the dark about what company is behind the development. ...
Cheng Sokhorng and Robin Spiess
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/evictions-sweep-away-sihanoukville-beach-businesses
NBC sees increased confidence in riel after dollar buys in 2017
The central bank injected $915 million worth of riel into the economy last year by buying up US dollars with the local currency, stabilising the exchange rate amid higher demand for riel, according to the bank’s latest report. ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/nbc-sees-increased-confidence-riel-after-dollar-buys-2017
GMS to enhance cooperation
With leaders from the Greater Mekong Sub-region gathering next week in Phnom Penh for a new summit on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, leading political thinkers and researchers say the LMC mechanism plays a crucial role in enhancing economic cooperation in the region and complements the work being ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50100170/gms-enhance-cooperation/
Trade with China on the upswing
Cambodia’s exports to China, the second largest economy in the world, rose sharply during the first 11 months of 2017, by as much as 18 percent compared with the same period in 2016, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50100171/trade-china-upswing/
Local bank and MFI sector continue their meteoric rise
In 2017 the local financial sector continued the strong growth that has characterised the industry in recent times, with commercial banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) seeing a robust expansion in loans and deposits throughout the year, according to the National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) annual ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50100172/local-bank-mfi-sector-continue-meteoric-rise/
Chinese delegation explores local market
A delegation of some of China’s biggest companies in the food-processing industry is scouring the local market for investment opportunities in the agriculture sector. Headed by He Jianxiang, the deputy director-general of the Bureau of Product Processing at China’s Ministry of Agriculture, the delegation met ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50100169/chinese-delegation-explores-local-market/
NBC takes licences from 11 lenders
Cambodia’s central bank yesterday announced a decision to revoke the operating licences of 11 rural credit operators for failing the abide by regulations. ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/nbc-takes-licences-11-lenders
Agriculture Ministry to request lower electricity costs for farmers
Agriculture Minister Veng Sokhon said he would ask Prime Minister Hun Sen to take action to help farmers compete against neighbouring countries, including further measures to address high electricity costs, as the sector mapped out its challenges for the year at a ministry-led forum in ...
Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/agriculture-ministry-request-lower-electricity-costs-farmers
Beach sellers must make room for Chinese investors
Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities will ask the government to deal with 10 sellers who refuse to relocate from Koh Puos – or Hawaii beach – and Lomher Kay beach. Vendors’ representatives have asked for compensation from provincial authorities to relocate to a new area. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5099381/beach-sellers-must-make-room-chinese-investors/
China order lifts rice imports for 2017
Cambodian rice exports in 2017 increased 17 percent by volume compared to the year before, with exporters pushing to fill orders under China’s expanded import quota while shipments to European markets remained steady, according to Agriculture Ministry figures. ...
Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/china-order-lifts-rice-imports-2017
Outpost Cambodia launches startup sponsorship competition
The co-working and co-living space Outpost Cambodia announced details of a startup competition today that will offer a winning company free 24/7 access to a desk for up to six people for six months in its workspace on Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar peninsula, four specialised consultations with ...
Euan Black
http://sea-globe.com/outpost-cambodia/