Dubai Chamber of Commerce Wraps Up Strategic Trade Mission in Phnom Penh.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce, operating under the broader Dubai Chambers umbrella, has concluded a high-impact trade mission in Phnom Penh aimed at strengthening commercial ties and unlocking new partnership opportunities between Cambodian and Dubai-based companies. The mission featured a series of bilateral business meetings designed to encourage collaboration across multiple industries, showcasing the chamber’s commitment to advancing global business growth.

‘Doing Business with Cambodia’ Forum Strengthens Bilateral Engagement

A major highlight of the mission was the ‘Doing Business with Cambodia’ forum, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), with support from the UAE Embassy in Bangkok. The event brought together government leaders, private-sector executives, and representatives of local companies eager to explore new avenues for cooperation. The forum opened with remarks from H.E. Tekreth Kamrang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce; Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council–Cambodia; and Salem AlShamsi, Executive Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, signaling the significance of Cambodia–UAE economic relations.

Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Expanding Regional Business Opportunities

Business representatives and senior officials at the forum discussed the promising prospects for partnership, particularly in light of Dubai’s growing non-oil trade with Cambodia, which reached US$394.5 million in 2024, marking a 3% year-on-year increase. Salem AlShamsi reaffirmed the chamber’s long-term vision, stating: “We are committed to enabling Dubai-based companies to build strong partnerships in priority markets and opening new paths for international expansion. These activities support the sustainable growth of Dubai’s business community and reinforce the emirate’s position as a leading global business hub.” His remarks underscored Dubai’s strategic push to deepen its global footprint while supporting its private sector’s outward expansion.

Showcasing Dubai’s Competitive Advantages to Cambodian Businesses

During the forum, Dubai Chamber of Commerce delivered a presentation detailing the advantages of Dubai’s energetic business landscape. The session highlighted how the emirate serves as a vital gateway to fast-growing regional markets, while offering Cambodian companies access to competitive resources, world-class logistics, and a business-friendly regulatory environment. Meanwhile, the Council for the Development of Cambodia presented a comprehensive overview of Cambodia’s economic foundations, development strategies, and investment potential, emphasizing the country’s progress in attracting foreign investors.

Opportunities Identified Across High-Growth Sectors

The chamber identified several high-potential sectors that could drive trade expansion between Dubai and Cambodia. These include aluminium, iron and steel, furniture, beverages, mattresses and bedding, and aircraft and spacecraft parts. For Dubai-based investors eyeing Cambodia, promising sectors span travel and tourism, hospitality, textiles, transportation and warehousing, consumer goods, appliances, construction, and major infrastructure developments. These areas align with Cambodia’s steady economic diversification and growing investor confidence.

Dubai Delegation Features Diverse Private-Sector Leaders

The mission’s delegation included representatives from 16 Dubai-based companies operating across key industries such as building materials, engineering, FMCG trading, food and beverages, retail, healthcare, ready-made garments, textiles, beauty and cosmetics, and oil and gas. Their participation underscores Dubai’s multi-sector interest in Cambodia’s emerging market and highlights the growing momentum of bilateral commercial cooperation.

About Dubai Chambers: Empowering Global Business Ambitions

Dubai Chambers operates as a non-profit public entity dedicated to advancing Dubai’s global business presence by empowering companies, fostering innovation, and facilitating access to influential international networks. Following the restructuring announced in March 2021 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Chamber of Commerce now functions alongside Dubai International Chamber and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy under the Dubai Chambers umbrella, each contributing to the emirate’s long-term economic vision.

“Rise for Khmer”: A Historic Cultural Showcase Backed by Cambodia’s Leading Business Giants.

Cambodian Conglomerates Unite Behind a Global Cultural Stage.

In a powerful display of cultural pride and corporate solidarity, three of Cambodia’s most influential conglomerates, Royal Group of Companies, Chip Mong Land, and Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC), have officially joined forces to support Rise for Khmer, an international cultural concert set to take place on 1 December 2025 in Paris. Hosted at Salle Pleyel, one of France’s most iconic and historically significant concert venues, the event promises to amplify the presence of Cambodian music and artistic expression to a global audience. The partnership was formally announced during a joint press conference featuring prominent leaders and creators: Mao Chanman (President of the Khmer Artists Association), Manu Rajan (Group Brand Officer of the Royal Group of Companies), Eung Vireak (Shareholder of Chip Mong Land), Thierry Tea (Vice President of OCIC), Laura Mam (CEO of Baramey Productions), and Dara Thong (Producer at Sabay Event Productions). Their collective presence underscored the growing synergy between Cambodia’s creative industries and its business sector, signaling a new era of cultural elevation on the world stage.

Renewed Cultural Identity on the International Stage

Rise for Khmer arrives at a time when global interest in Cambodian music has surged, marking the first major large-scale Khmer music performance in Europe since the Royal Ballet tours of the 1990s. This renewed cultural wave comes on the heels of significant milestones, including VannDa’s electrifying appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, an unforgettable moment that spotlighted modern Khmer artistry before millions worldwide. The upcoming concert gathers leading talents from Baramey Production, VannDa, Suzana Reth, Vanthan, Norith, and YUUHAI, symbolizing a generation of artists who blend heritage with innovation. More than a performance, the event serves as a declaration of cultural pride, artistic confidence, and a unified Cambodian identity re-emerging powerfully on the global cultural map.

Business Leadership Driven by Cultural Commitment

The collaboration behind Rise for Khmer extends beyond the entertainment world, reflecting a broader national movement driven by some of Cambodia’s most established business groups. For over thirty years, Canadia Group, OCIC, Royal Group of Companies, and Chip Mong Land have significantly contributed to the nation’s economic growth across sectors such as finance, infrastructure, communications, and real estate development. Their joint support for this concert highlights a shared belief that culture and creativity are essential pillars of Cambodia’s forward momentum. As Thierry Tea, Vice President of OCIC, emphasized: “OCIC has invested in building homes, bridges, urban districts, roads, and now a new international airport, improving connectivity and daily life for millions of Cambodians. It is in this spirit that OCIC supports the humanitarian dimension of this initiative.” This alignment between enterprise and artistic expression demonstrates a unified vision, one that positions culture as a vital force capable of strengthening national identity, inspiring communities, and showcasing Cambodia’s evolving story to the world.

A Cultural Milestone Symbolizing Unity and Global Connection

At its core, Rise for Khmer is far more than a concert, it is a cultural milestone that merges business leadership, artistic innovation, and global engagement. The event symbolizes Cambodia’s continuing progress and its rising creative voice, now reaching international platforms with renewed resonance. With strong backing from the country’s major private-sector leaders and a lineup of artists shaping modern Khmer music, the concert stands as a defining moment where unity, heritage, and ambition converge. As Cambodia steps confidently into the global cultural spotlight, Rise for Khmer represents a meaningful step forward in sharing the nation’s artistic soul with audiences worldwide.

GDT, CCC discuss tax glitches to boost biz environment.

Cambodia is taking another major step toward strengthening its business environment. This week in Phnom Penh, the General Department of Taxation and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce held a high-level meeting to tackle ongoing tax challenges and improve compliance for companies operating across the country.

The session was co-chaired by Kong Vibol, Director-General of the GDT, and Kith Meng, President of the CCC. Together, they invited ministry officials, private companies, associations, and key stakeholders to review real issues raised by the private sector from unclear procedures to new regulations that need more guidance.

Between November 2023 and October 2025, 56 tax-related challenges have been recorded, not counting the 56 issues already resolved during the 19th Government-Private Sector Forum. This rising number shows just how urgently businesses need clearer, more efficient tax processes.

During the meeting, Kith Meng urged the GDT to establish a special committee dedicated to reforming and amending tax laws, an essential move to attract more global investors and support Cambodia’s growing economy. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to making tax policies more practical, predictable, and aligned with today’s business realities.

They also discussed preparations for the upcoming nationwide “Tax Forum,” a platform designed to promote open dialogue on tax topics and address private-sector concerns more effectively.

If you believe Cambodia’s economic progress depends on open collaboration between government and business, share this story to help spread the message.

Cambodia, China step up science and technology cooperation.

In Phnom Penh, a major step forward has been taken in science, technology, and innovation. Cambodia and China have officially launched the Cambodia-China Joint Research Program, an initiative marking a powerful new chapter in their long-term partnership.

On Tuesday, Minister Hem Vanndy of Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, together with Wang Wenbin, China’s Ambassador to Cambodia, presided over the announcement. Built on previous agreements and fresh memoranda of understanding, this program represents months of coordinated planning that began in July 2024.

From nearly 70 proposals submitted by research teams in both countries, eight outstanding projects were selected. These focus on critical areas shaping Cambodia’s future: food security, public health, biotechnology, environmental applications, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and data science.

Chinese officials highlighted that the goal is simple yet transformative, generate scientific progress that improves lives and strengthens a shared future between the two nations. Cambodian leaders echoed this vision, noting that the program also expands talent development and deepens institutional collaboration.

Each project will run for two years. China’s Ministry of Science and Technology is providing up to 2 million RMB—about $280,000—for each Chinese research team, while Cambodia supports its researchers with key in-kind and institutional backing. Cooperation will also continue through regional platforms like the Lancang-Mekong Innovation Corridor and the ASEAN-China Joint STI Committee.

This joint effort is more than research, it’s strategic investment, regional progress, and a blueprint for sustainable development.

If you believe in the power of international collaboration to drive growth and innovation, share this story.

FacePass Secure: ABA Bank Strengthens Biometric Protection as User Adoption Surges.

Biometric Security Becomes Central to ABA Mobile’s Strategy

ABA Bank is rapidly advancing its digital security ecosystem with the expansion of FacePass Secure, a facial recognition technology integrated into ABA Mobile. First introduced in 2024, FacePass has quickly become a defining feature of the bank’s protection framework, with over 90% of all users activating the feature. The upgrade arrives as Cambodia embraces mobile banking and QR-based transactions at unprecedented speed, pushing financial institutions to meet rising expectations for both convenience and digital safety.

As the first bank in Cambodia to embed live facial recognition directly within its mobile banking app, ABA has set a new competitive benchmark, prompting wider sectoral shifts toward layered authentication and more sophisticated fraud prevention tools.

Read more: How Will Cambodia Benefit From ADB’s Investment in Digital Finance?

Enhanced Protection for High-Value and Sensitive Transactions

Initially designed as an optional login security layer, FacePass Secure has evolved into a mandatory identity verification tool for key activities. The bank now requires live facial recognition for:

• High-value money transfers
• Personal data updates
• eKYC steps during Instant Account Opening
• Reactivating ABA Mobile on a new device

This expansion ensures that only the true account owner can approve these actions—even if someone gains access to their smartphone or PIN. The verification process, designed to be almost instantaneous, adds robust security without burdening users.

Zokhir Rasulov, Chief Digital Officer of ABA Bank, emphasized the importance of balancing convenience with protection, stating:

“FacePass Secure represents a significant leap forward in mobile banking security and user experience. It demonstrates ABA Bank’s commitment to safeguarding customers’ financial information while prioritizing convenience. For example, if you transfer an amount larger than your preset limit, FacePass will require live facial verification, meaning no one, not even someone who knows your PIN, can complete the transaction without your presence.”

Designed for All Modern Smartphones, Not Just High-End Devices

ABA highlights that FacePass Secure is not the same as Apple’s Face ID, which functions at the device level. Instead, FacePass is fully app-based and compatible with both iOS and Android devices that include a front-facing camera with live recognition capability. This ensures broad accessibility across Cambodia, where many users rely on a wide variety of smartphone brands.

Read more: How Are AI-Generated Images Tricking You Into Fake Charity Donations?

To address growing privacy concerns, ABA confirms that all biometric data is encrypted, stored only on secure servers inside Cambodia, and never shared or transferred abroad. These measures align with international information security standards.

As cyber fraud and account takeovers rise across Southeast Asia, ABA positions FacePass Secure as a necessary safeguard in a rapidly digitalizing financial environment.

Rising User Confidence and Momentum in Cambodia’s Digital Payments Landscape

Feedback from early adopters, particularly small business owners and young professionals, shows high confidence in FacePass Secure. Many view the feature as an added layer of protection that enhances trust, especially when conducting large transactions or time-sensitive payments.

This widespread adoption also reflects Cambodia’s broader shift toward digital finance. KHQR payments, mobile banking apps, and digital wallets have become integral to daily commerce, creating a natural pathway for biometric solutions to become an industry standard.

Read more: Can Cambodia Become Southeast Asia’s Next Startup Powerhouse?

As more banks across the region explore similar technologies, ABA’s early leadership may catalyze sector-wide upgrades in the near future.

ABA continues to encourage all customers to activate FacePass Secure through their app settings to ensure stronger account protection and a smoother, more secure banking experience.