Local chamber of commerce

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. Photo taken from the chamber’s official website, taken on 10 August 2023.

It is commonly seen that the two terms chamber and association are used interchangeably in various sources¹ referring to a cluster of either business people (individuals) or cooperates (institutions) which is created to promote and protect the interests of the members in some certain business sectors. 

Efforts have been made to distinguish​​ chamber of commerce from business associations. For instance, business associations are defined as a group with a membership of enterprises, companies, or organizations engaged in promoting their members’ commercial interests.²

Chamber of commerce are typically made up of business owners who share locations or common interests and can be regional, national, or international in scope.³ A business association is a broader term that focuses on industries, which could be construction, hotel, or restaurant associations, while a chamber of commerce contains business firms operating in different fields of business activity.⁴ However, the relevant laws and regulations below will provide a more concrete definition of chamber of commerce in Cambodia’s context. 

Laws and Mechanisms Related to the Chamber of Commerce

According to Article 1 of Cambodia’s Law on the Chamber of Commerce promulgated in 1995, chamber of commerce are defined as “public institutions under the administration of the Ministry of Commerce that conduct activities to serve benefits for commerce, industry, agriculture, handicraft, and service sectors”. Depending on the commercial demand and activities, each province shall have one chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce are in general open to receive membership from all types of businesses including large, medium, and small legal businesses from various sectors. Their main role is to ensure their voices are heard by the government, creating a more favorable business environment.⁵

Law on the Chamber of Commerce

There are the article of law on the Chamber of Commerce that is enacted by the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia on 16 May 1995 during the 4th session of the 1st legislature.

Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia

Since the major political and economic reform in the 1980s, Cambodia has seen rapid growth in economy and trade especially if viewed in the context of Asia. In 2004, Cambodia became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The country boosted an annual growth average of 7%, fueled by strong garment exports, services, real estate, and construction. Although Cambodia’s economic growth is expected to remain strong in the coming years, the country is expected to face increased competition from neighboring countries, particularly Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam (CMLV bloc). In addition to such competition, other challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation, and superpower trade rivalry have been causing a hiccup in Cambodia’s economic and trade stability. Under these circumstances, the role of business associations and chamber of commerce in facilitating business and trade between Cambodia and the rest of the world is becoming even more vital.⁶

Currently, Cambodia hosts not only local but also international chamber of commerce such as The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham)⁷, the Cambodia-Israel Chamber of Commerce⁸,​ Cambodia-Russia Inter-Chamber Working Group and many others. For instance, AmCham is a non-profit organization that promotes trade and investment between the US and Cambodia, while Khmer Enterprise is a government agency that supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cambodia. Other associations such as the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) focus on a specific group of businesswomen in Cambodia.

All business associations tend to provide networking opportunities, business advocacy, and information services to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.⁹ With noticeable economic growth, Cambodia has started to have business associations in various sectors such as the Cambodia Constructors’ Association, Cambodia Hotel Association, Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, and even the Cambodia Restaurant Association, etc. The list below shows major business associations and chamber of commerce in Cambodia:¹⁰

List of major Business Associations and Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia

There are prominent examples of business associations or chamber in Cambodia that are noticeable and contributing significantly to the country’s economic development:

Commercial Law (2018)

On 07 March 2018, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) issued Prakas No. 088, regarding filing statutes of business associations. According to the Prakas, all business associations, including foreign chamber of commerce, must file their statute with the MOC. This filing must be accompanied by certain required documentation, such as general meeting notes to establish the association, a specimen of stamp and signature of the president of the association, and registration approvals. Business associations must also submit an annual report on their activities to the provincial/municipal department of commerce where they are located. They can also suspend operations by informing the MOC.¹¹

Further reading on other relevant legal instruments

Cambodia also has other relevant legal frameworks that shape the practices of Chamber of Commerce and commerce in general as the following:

• Upcoming Cambodia’s commercial court developed by the Ministry of Justice¹² under the support from ADB Cambodia Resident Mission’s Trade and Competitiveness Program.¹³
• Law on Commercial Arbitration promulgated since 6 March 2006¹⁴
• The National Commercial Arbitration Centre (NCAC) of Cambodia¹⁵
• Law on Commercial Enterprises promulgated since June 19, 2005

General role of business association or chamber in Cambodia

Business chambers and associations in Cambodia has an important and crucial role for the economic development in the country by providing a range of services to their members. Here are some examples of the role performed by these chambers and association:

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC)

The concept of Chamber of Commerce was introduced to Cambodia in 1995. However, it was not until 2005 that the country established its Chamber of Commerce, officially named “Cambodia Chamber of Commerce” (CCC), with Neak Oknha Kith Meng as its president. CCC is a non-profit institution with a countrywide network and has partners in the region and across the globe that connect, share information, and collaborate on various business-related issues.

It is critical for the chamber to represent the interests of Cambodia’s business communities and advocate for policies that promote economic growth and development. CCC has expanded its network countrywide, with 18 Municipal-Provincial Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.¹⁶ All local and foreign companies or business associations registered in Cambodia can join​ and become members of the CCC by filling out application forms, attaching relevant documents, and paying membership fees. The benefit of joining CCC includes one-on-one business matching, exhibition, business consultancy, legal compliance, and customized training.¹⁷

So far, CCC has been on many international stages representing Cambodia. Likewise, on 22 August 2011, the President of CCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with H.E Carol Rodley, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. This MOU is the agreement between CCC and the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).¹⁸

CCC is the only National Chamber of Commerce representing private sector interests. In accordance with Sub-decree No. 07, on the Organization and Functioning of CCC, the main role of CCC is to be the dialogue partner of the government and provide recommendations on economy and investment to the government. CCC is also the secretariat of the Private Sector Working Group of the Government Private Sector Forum (GPS-F).¹⁹

Secretariat Role of Private Sector Working Group of the Government Private Sector Forum (GPS-F)

Cambodia has a platform called Government Private Sector Forum (G-PSF). Through a demand-driven process in which the private sector identifies issues and recommends solutions, the G-PSF improves the business environment, builds trust, and encourages private investment.²⁰

Working group of the government private sector forum (GPS-F)

Cambodian Chamber of Commerce has assumed secretariat role of private sector working group of the government private sector forum (GPS-F) since 2011. As of now, there are 13 working group of GPS-F.²¹

There are 13 Working Groups (WG) under G-PSF. Private Sector representatives meet before the main Working Groups to review and comment on proposed legislation and to identify issues for discussion in the formal Working Group meetings. These Private Sector Working Groups (PSWG) are supported by the secretariats of respective business associations and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce. Various topics have been referred to this working group, including matters related to telecommunication, transportation, mining, anti-corruption law, etc.²²

Related to local chamber of commerce

• Business associations

• Investment

• Economy and commerce