Economy and commerce
Banking and financial services
Credit cards in Cambodia grow 20 percent in 2023
Credit cards in Cambodia have grown 20 percent in 2023, showing that customers have become more savvy in using new financial instruments. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501539693/credit-cards-in-cambodia-grow-20-percent-in-2023/
More Cambodian borrowers of MFIs are buying land than selling
The financial standing of Cambodian borrowers has seen improvement over the years in many cases, as per data with the Cambodian Microfinance Association (CMA). ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501523109/more-cambodian-borrowers-of-mfis-are-buying-land-than-selling/
Cambodia-Singapore Financial Transparency Corridor Initiative launched
The Financial Transparency Corridor (FTC) Initiative between Cambodia and Singapore was launched in Singapore this evening to catalyse increased trade and cross-border related financial services between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the two countries. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501508569/cambodia-singapore-financial-transparency-corridor-initiative-launched/
Loan-to-deposit ratio normalising in 2024, say bankers
A number that might be of concern in Cambodia’s banking system is its loans versus deposits. For 2023, Cambodia’s banks total loans outstanding was $57.6 billion and total deposits $47.9 billion. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501505072/loan-to-deposit-ratio-normalising-in-2024-say-bankers/
Banks projected to grow at 10 percent in 2024
Cambodian banks might see growth of around 10 percent in 2024, said bankers. Industry insiders say that the banking growth of the past of 20 percent is no longer possible. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501503722/banks-projected-to-grow-at-10-percent-in-2024/
Agricultural loans fall to 31% from 36% in 5 years
As Cambodia diversifies, share of agricultural loans in rural credit falls from 35.8 percent to 31 percent in five years, as per data with the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501490959/agricultural-loans-fall-to-31-from-36-in-5-years/
New strategy to boost Cambodia’s financial sector, says Serey
The new financial development strategy for the next five years aims to help the financial sector bag greater achievements as it supports inclusive economic development, contributing to reducing poverty nationwide, said Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). ...
Nhean Chamrong
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501489146/new-strategy-to-boost-cambodias-financial-sector-says-serey/
$30M credit guarantee scheme for rice inked
The state-owned Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC), Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) and participating financial institutions (PFIs) signed an agreement on the $30 million Rice Export Guarantee Scheme (REGS) to help millers stockpile rice for milling, processing, exporting and making local value-added products. ...
Chea Vanyuth
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501487226/30m-credit-guarantee-scheme-for-rice-inked/
Fintech helped us reduce costs, NBC Governor tells Dubai Fintech Summit
Adoption of digital payments has helped in reducing remittance costs, said Chea Serey, Governor, National Bank of Cambodia at a panel discussion on ‘Sustainable Capital: Environmentally Consolidated Finance’ on Monday at the Dubai Fintech Summit in UAE. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501485201/fintech-helped-us-reduce-costs-nbc-governor-tells-dubai-fintech-summit/
Working capital loans form 54% of small business needs
Cambodians running small businesses are continuing to find the need for working capital as their most pressing need, as per data. As high as 54 percent of 1.89 million loans issued were for working capital, as per the first quarter report of the Small Business ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501482273/working-capital-loans-form-54-of-small-business-needs/
Higher for Longer – The impact of higher interest rates in Cambodia
We do not need to be a rocket scientist to deduce that higher interest rates often cause more pain than (being a) panacea. ...
Mr Raymond Sia, CEO, Canadia Bank
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501479396/higher-for-longer-the-impact-of-higher-interest-rates-in-cambodia/
NBC, ERIA join hands to develop strategy for green digital finance
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Economic Research Institution for ASEAN and East Asia have recently entered cooperation to develop a strategy for green digital finance in Cambodia. ...
Chea Vanyuth
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501479400/nbc-eria-join-hands-to-develop-strategy-for-green-digital-finance/
Women clients of MFIs save 9% more than men, says study
Women clients of micro-finance institutions (MFIs) tend to have 9 percent more savings than men on average, as per a recent study. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501471592/women-clients-of-mfis-save-9-more-than-men-says-study/
ABC vows to increase riel usage
The Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) has committed to further increase the usage of riel through its members’ operations, as the local currency is now increasingly used in cash and digital transactions. ...
Chea Vanyuth
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501470948/abc-vows-to-increase-riel-usage/
Cambodians face mounting pain from microfinance debt
KEAN SVAY, KANDAL PROVINCE, CAMBODIA — Five years ago, Lun Sam Ath took out a $12,000 loan to build a new wooden house and repay a previous loan that she had used to buy a motorbike. ...
Sun Narin
https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodians-face-mounting-pain-from-microfinance-debt-/7559968.html
Loans offered to struggling tourism Siem Reap businesses
The government is offering tourism-related businesses in Siem Reap struggling from the slow tourist rebound a share of a $50 million pot of loans to keep operations afloat, however, concerns have been raised that the 6.5 percent interest rate may be too high for some. ...
Yatt Malai
https://kiripost.com/stories/loans-offered-to-struggling-tourism-siem-reap-businesses
NBC reports 44% surge in electronic riel transactions
National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) governor Chea Serey announced an increase in electronic transactions and payments in Cambodian riel for 2023, noting that they were 44% higher than in 2022. ...
Van Socheata
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/nbc-reports-44-surge-in-electronic-riel-transactions
e-KYC, digital verification of documents taking off in Cambodia
Opening a bank account from the comfort of your home is possible today thanks to e-KYC services in Cambodia. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501447218/e-kyc-digital-verification-of-documents-taking-off-in-cambodia/
Financial firm consolidation will boost industry resilience, says NBC governor
Witnessing the merger between PRASAC Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and Kookmin Bank Cambodia, the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) Chea Serey expressed hope to see more consolation happening in the industry to boost its resilience and efficiency. ...
Nhean Chamrong
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501446574/financial-firm-consolidation-will-boost-industry-resilience-says-nbc-governor/
Banks need robust cybersecurity for data privacy
In the age of digitalisation, banks play a crucial role in safeguarding the money and information of both people and businesses. However, as Cambodia embraces this digital revolution, the Kingdom also makes itself vulnerable to the constant danger of cyberattacks and breaches, putting financial data ...
Jigmee Palden Pazo
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501444679/banks-need-robust-cybersecurity-for-data-privacy/
Home not farming, takes precedence when Cambodians take MFIs loans
Showing a shift in mindset, more Cambodians are now taking loans from microfinance institutions (MFIs) over home needs than for farming. ...
Rachel David
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501442492/home-not-farming-takes-precedence-when-cambodians-take-mfis-loans/
Microfinance sector provided $5.12B loans to 1.57M clients in 2023
The microfinance sector has provided a credit sum of $5.12 billion to 1.57 million clients, an average of $3,260 per account last year, creating direct employment for 21,567 people nationwide with a business network of 904 offices. ...
Nhean Chamrong
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501440074/microfinance-sector-provided-5-12b-loans-to-1-57m-clients-in-2023/
Cambodia, Australia to reinforce cooperation in Banking and Financial sector
Cambodia and Australia are willing to further strengthen their banking and financial cooperation, especially in the field of green finance and financial knowledge. ...
Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501429861/cambodia-australia-to-reinforce-cooperation-in-banking-and-financial-sector/
Cambodia’s banking and financial industry healthy, says NBC
The banking and financial industry has remained strong despite uncertainties on global economic growth causing the bankruptcies of banks in some countries. ...
Chea Vanyuth
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501429237/cambodias-banking-and-financial-industry-healthy-says-nbc/