Phnom Penh, 27 January 2025 - As part of an exploratory business mission organized for the Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBiz PH), the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia hosted the first “Philippines-Cambodia Business Forum: Bridging the Philippines and Cambodia through Women in Business” at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh on 22 January 2025.
In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo cited the positive outlook for the ASEAN region notwithstanding the uncertainties of the global economic landscape. “ASEAN is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Boosting intra-ASEAN trade and investments, including through Philippine and Cambodia commercial partnerships, would strengthen the region’s economic resilience,” she stated. “Cambodia is a good place to start for visionary Filipino entrepreneurs aiming to grow their business into a regional or global brand. We also invite Cambodian conglomerates to explore the Philippines as a potential partner of choice,” Ambassador Mayo added.
Secretary of State Tekreth Kamrang of the Ministry of Commerce delivered the keynote address as Guest of Honor. In her speech, Her Excellency called attention to the huge growth potential of PH-Cambodia trade and invited the private sector to help strengthen bilateral trade flows. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investors and touted the Kingdom’s efforts to put in place important building blocks of a stable business environment.
The business forum provided a platform for the exchange of latest information and expert insights through a panel of resource persons whose presentations offered key takeaways on the work of. WomenBiz (Chair Rosemarie Rafael); Doing Business in Cambodia from a legal perspective (Mr. Ly Tayseng, Managing Partner, HBS Law); the Cambodia investment environment (H.E. Suon Sophal, Deputy Secretary General, Cambodia Investment Board); Business Opportunities in Cambodia (Oknha Lim Socheat, Vice President, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce); and investment and tourism strategies of the Cambodian Government (Undersecretary of State Someth Somnea, Ministry of Commerce).
The Forum was held with the invaluable support of Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia. The event was among the highlights of the Philippine business mission organized by the Philippine Embassy with WomenBiz Philippines which took place on 22-23 January 2025. Among the notable engagements of the pioneering business mission were dialogues with Cambodia’s highest government officials including Prime Minister Hun Manet, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul and Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kantha Pavi.
The 35-member WomenBiz PH delegation comprised top female business leaders in logistics and transportation, education, healthcare, hospitality, health and wellness, and power generation, among other trade and investment interests. The mission afforded WomenBiz the opportunity to conduct site visits and engage in business-to-business talks with Cambodia’s top conglomerates such as the Royal Group, Chip Mong Group, the OCIC Group and Worldbridge Group.
“The trade mission to Cambodia demonstrated a strong potential for collaboration for mutual growth between the Philippines and Cambodia. The initiative has laid a positive foundation for future engagements and sustained commitments,” delegation member and President of Giga Professional Partners, Inc. Elisa Ullakonoja observed. END
