Business associations

The Cambodia Chamber of Commerce had a meeting with Thai ambassador, President of Thailand Chamber of Commerce and a group of delegates from private and public various sectors. Photo by Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. taken on 30 August 2013.

As Cambodian’s economy continues to grow and position itself as a business-friendly destination, the country has attracted significant interest from both local and international investors. In 2024, the Cambodian economy achieved a growth rate of approximately 6%, with projections indicating a growth of 6.3% in 2025.¹ Cambodia also set a new record of approving a total of 414 investment projects with a total investment capital of $6.9 billion in 2024.² To foster a more favorable business environment in the kingdom, several business associations and chambers of commerce have established their presence to organize a network of businesses and meet with like-minded business people in the industry.

The goals of most business chambers are to promote investments in Cambodia, assist their members in navigating the complexities of conducting business, and offer benefits to those starting up and managing operations in the country. Additionally, they also play a role in connecting businesses, promoting trade, facilitating network opportunities, and organizing various meetings or events where businesspeople gather.³

Relevant Laws and regulations governing chambers and business associations in Cambodia 

The foundational Law of the Chamber of Commerce was enacted by the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia on May 16, 1995, during the Fourth Session of the First Legislature. As stated by the law, the Chambers of Commerce are public institutions under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce that carry out activities to serve the interests of commerce, industry, agriculture, crafts, and services within their constituency. Additionally, there shall be one Chamber of Commerce per province. Nevertheless, the constituency of a Chamber of Commerce may extend to several provinces or municipalities when economic conditions justify such an extension.⁴ This was further elaborated by Sub-Decree No. 61 on the Establishment of Phnom Penh’s Chamber of Commerce in that same year, which aimed to the creation of Phnom Penh’s Chamber, specifically governing commercial activities within the capital.⁵ It was then followed by Sub-Decree No. 89 on the Establishment of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce in 2002 to establish the national-level Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to oversee the commercial activities across all provinces and cities in Cambodia. ⁶ The CCC was officially established in 2005.⁷

In 2007, the structure and operations of the CCC were later defined under Sub-Decree No. 07 on the Organization and Functioning of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. This sub-decree is about the obligations, organization, and functioning of the chamber. Most recently, Prakas No. 88 on the maintenance of the statute of the business association introduced in 2018 guides for maintaining the statutes of business associations (including foreign chambers of commerce in Cambodia) that carry out their activities or operations to serve commercial, business, and service activities for non-profit purposes. Specifically, it also mentioned that business associations are associations that operate under the laws or regulations of the state.

• Law of the Chamber of Commerce
• Sub-Decree No. 61 on the Establishment of the Phnom Penh’s Chamber of Commerce
• Sub-Decree No. 89 on the Establishment of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce
• Sub-Decree No. 07 on the Organization and Functioning of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce
• Prakas No. 88 on the maintenance of the statute of the business association

Types of chambers and business associations in Cambodia

There are various types of chambers and associations in Cambodia, such as community chambers, state chambers, city chambers, national or international chambers, as well as many business associations. Furthermore, chambers and associations can operate at regional, national, or even international scopes. The board of directors of a chamber or association may include the Chief Paid Executive, Operation Executive, Finance, Communications, and Membership.⁸ 

Even though, there is no specific number of business associations or chambers of commerce in Cambodia, in 2018, 26 international chambers of commerce and business associations in Cambodia signed a joint MoU with the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to provide access to the chamber for gaining consensus and representing business associations.⁹ 

Key chambers and business associations in Cambodia

In general, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as those business chambers in Cambodia are independent and not-for-profit organizations with varying degrees of paid memberships.¹⁰ The table below illustrates some key business associations and chambers of commerce in Cambodia with their years of establishment and number of members in the entities.

Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia was founded in 2009 by a group of passionate business leaders as a volunteer-driven non-profit organization with the ambition to empower young entrepreneurs from various business sectors. Since it was created, the association has supported its members through different activities including training, digitalization, access to finance, business matching, engaging in policy advocacy with the government, and representing their voices. Additionally, there are 6 key member benefits that the association is offering such as access to funding, workshops and seminars, capacity development, business networking, leadership opportunities, and mentorship and advisory.¹⁹ To become a member of YEAC, please review this membership application to learn about the information and requirements.

Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia was established in 1996 due to the increasing need for the garment industry for a representative for a unified voice. Therefore, this has become the most active and prominent trade association, which aims to provide a forum for consultation and discussion among its members/stakeholders, most of whom are from the garment industry. The association also promotes common interests and seeks the adoption of sound policies that allow the industry to grow and develop.²⁰

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce was established in 2005. The chamber works with large, medium, and small legal businesses to ensure their voice are heard and contribute to the efficiency of the government, thereby making the business environment friendlier. Currently, 18 Municipal-Provincial Chambers under CCC, including those in (1) Phnom Penh Chamber of Commerce, (2) Pusat Chamber of Commerce, (3) Prey Veng Chamber of Commerce, (4) Kampong Speu Chamber of Commerce, (5) Svay Rieng Chamber of Commerce, (6) Sihanoukville Chamber of Commerce, (7) Banttey Meanchey Chamber of Commerce, (8) Koh Kong Chamber of Commerce, (9) Kampong Cham Chamber of Commerce, (10) Kampot-Kep Chamber of Commerce, (11) Battambang Chamber of Commerce, (12) Siem Reap-Odor Meanchey Chamber of Commerce, (13) Kampong Thom-Preah Vihear Chamber of Commerce, (14) Kandal-Kampong Chhnang Chamber of Commerce, (15) Kratie-Stung Treng-Ratanak Kiri Chamber of Commerce, (16) Takeo Chamber of Commerce, (17) Tbong Kmum Chamber of Commerce, and (18) Pailin Chamber of Commerce. To become a member of CCC, please review this membership application to learn about the information and requirements.²¹

EuroCham Cambodia was founded in 2011 by the existing French, German, and British business associations to act as the official chamber of the European business community in the Kingdom. Currently, it has 7 national chapters such as the German Business Group; the Chambre de Commerce Franco-Cambodgiene; the British Business Association in Cambodia; the Nordic Chapter; the Italian Chapter; the Benelux Chapter; and the Central Eastern European Business Association, which all of them comprising 23 European countries. EuroCham’s core activities are to promote, support, and represent its members with the Royal Government of Cambodia, aiming to develop a favorable business and investment environment. There are five types of membership including ordinary or associate corporate members or SMEs, NGOs, and individual members, as well as, start-up members. Review this membership application to learn about the information in detail.²²

AmCham Cambodia was founded in 1996 non-profit membership organization that supports US and Cambodian companies and individuals in running and growing their businesses by sharing commercial and operational best practices, promoting the highest of commercial standards, and advocating with Cambodian and US policy-makers. This chamber has four main activities such as advocacy, business promotion, business connections, and event organizations. AmCham has five types of membership. To learn more details, please review this membership application.²³

Key roles of chambers and business associations

While different chambers and business associations work with different groups of the business community from different sectors in Cambodia, according to an article on Chambers and Associations in Cambodia: 2023 by Aquarii BD (Cambodia), below are some of the examples of the key roles these organizations play in helping their members ²⁴

Many chambers of commerce and business associations in Cambodia have opportunities for their members. These organizations provide platforms for businesses to connect, share ideas, and foster network opportunities. For instance, the YEAC has often organized events for its members, including the recent “1st Young Entrepreneurs Gathering (YEG) 2025,” which brings together emerging business leaders, key industry stakeholders, and policymakers.²⁵ 

Another key role of these organizations is to serve as the representative voice and advocate for businesses. The chambers and associations represent the common interests and shared concerns among their members to share with the government, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders. For example, AmCham Cambodia has seven different committees for its members from various sectors, including women, education, real estate and construction, law, ICT, international trade and logistics, and tax. These committees work closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia.²⁶

Providing information services is also one of the key activities these organizations in Cambodia aim to offer. These organizations also provide key sources of information for their members, offering updates on industry trends, regulatory changes, and investment opportunities. For instance, TAFTAC has produced publications and provided updates on relevant laws and regulations for its members in the garment sector in three different languages (Khmer, English, and Chinese), such as the recent publication of a policy brief on the “Model Green Factory Program”.²⁷

Besides being a knowledge hub and key information source to its members, the chambers and associations in Cambodia also offer training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to help their members enhance their skills and stay competitive in the market. For instance, EuroCham has a training course on “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the Agriculture Sector” for its members in the agriculture sector to integrate ESG practices into their operations.²⁸

While not all business associations or chambers participate in these activities, some organizations do facilitate access to financial resources. These organizations facilitate access to funding, such as loans and grants, to support business development and growth. For instance, Khmer Enterprise is a government agency that provides financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the kingdom to help them access the capital they need to grow. Recently, it has provided 32 financial assistance to 32 startups and SMEs to enhance their business operations, improve competitiveness, and boost export potential, reinforcing the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. ²⁹

Related to Business associations

• Economy and commerce
• Trade
• Investment