Cambodia, One of 7 Countries in New IMF Report

7 May 2015

Cambodia is one of the 7 countries in the “Frontier and Developing Asia: The Next Generation of Emerging Markets” of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released recently. Frontier economies are receiving increasing attention from policymakers, investors, and academics. This book looks at the growing importance of the countries that make up frontier and developing Asia from different angles, including achieving inclusive growth, financial sector deepening, and strengthening policy frameworks.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=61962

SMEs, the Core of Economic Growth in ASEAN

5 May 2015

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the core of development and contribute to the economic growth of the ASEAN countries. SMEs is creating jobs and promoting gender equality through running businesses and expanding operation both in the urban and rural areas. It is 89-99% of companies in ASEAN were SMEs. SMEs in Cambodia generated jobs for 73% of the total labor.

Source:

http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=61913

Attention turns to waterway transport

4 May 2015

The government has received a grant of $5.5 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to conduct a feasibility study on how the Kingdom’s waterways and ports can be better utilised for transport.

The feasibility study is looking at how to improve the movement of goods along 215 kilometres of rivers and estuaries from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham and Kratie provinces. Improving logistics along other waterways from Phnom Penh to Vietnam and from Bassac River to Siem Reap province have also been looked at with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The waterways will ease transportation of agricultural products, especially rice, from the eastern provinces to nearby provinces as well as the port in the capital, while bringing down the cost of transport.

Source:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/attention-turns-waterway-transport

Cambodia's microfinance lenders see 13% rise in Q1 lending

4 May 2015

Cambodia's 40 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) had reported a 13% rise in loan disbursements in the first quarter of 2015. The MFIs had lent about 2.29 billion U.S. dollars to customers as of March this year, up from 2.03 billion U.S. dollars at the end of last year. Cambodia sees MFIs as a key player in helping the government reduce poverty in rural areas and the sector has been well developed in the last decade.

Source:

http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/cambodias-microfinance-lenders-see-13-pct-rise-in-q1-lending-8491

Cambodia holds Expo to promote local products

4 May 2015

The 5th edition of One Village One Product Expo kicked off here on Friday afternoon, aiming to promote local products to consumers and tourists. More than 80 producers from 13 cities and provinces have their products, including jewelry, cosmetics, traditional silk, stone and wooden sculptures, food, and fruit, displayed at the three-day event.

Source:

http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/cambodia-holds-expo-to-promote-local-products-8493

Chinese demand ups longan exports

4 May 2015

Exports of longan fruits from Pailin saw a 60% increase this year compared to the same period last year due to rising demand from China. From January to May this year, more than 1,100 tons of longan were exported to China, up 63% from the 676 tons last year. One kilogram of longan costs around 5,000 riel, or $1.25, almost a two-fold increase from three years ago when the price stood at $0.70.

Source:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/chinese-demand-ups-longan-exports

Tycoon to beef up palm oil products

30 April 2015

Cambodian agriculture tycoon launched his company’s second palm oil processing plant in Sihanouk Ville province to keep up with increasing yields of palm oil. The $20 million processing plant is a joint venture between Mong Reththy Investment Cambodia Oil Palm and Thailand-based TCC Group. Last year, the company exported 22,000 tons of crude palm oil, up from 19,000 tons in 2013. But price falls had significantly cut into the firms’ revenue.

Source:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/tycoon-beef-palm-oil-products