On February 11, Cambodia Securities held a grand opening ceremony that drew a large audience of local and international representatives. The event was attended by notable figures including the Chairman of the Securities Commission, the Chairman of the SERC, the CEO of the Cambodia Securities Exchange, representatives from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and officials from the Chinese Embassy, among others.
This significant event marked the launch of Cambodia’s capital market development and demonstrated strong confidence in the sector, reflecting a commitment to deepening cooperation with various countries. The ceremony also attracted attention from investment banks and brokerage firms across Asia, including major international family offices, Deutsche Bank, and Goldman Sachs, with nearly 500 participants in total. This was one of the largest gatherings Cambodia has seen in years, indicating the increasing interest in Cambodia’s economy and capital markets and potentially sparking a wave of corporate listings, with Cambodia Securities playing a key role in driving this momentum.
Under the witness of the Cambodia Securities Commission, several key preliminary cooperation frameworks were established between international exchanges and the Cambodia Securities Exchange. Notably, there is potential for international investors to directly purchase shares of Cambodian listed companies under special arrangements, and there is also the possibility of encouraging dual listings for outstanding Cambodian companies on both local and international exchanges.
Mr. Deng Zhenyue, Executive Director of Cambodia Securities, stated that the company’s primary goal is to bring Cambodia’s representative and regionally competitive industries and companies to the capital market. The focus will be on projects with unmet rigid demands, which not only provides investors with significant growth opportunities but also lays a crucial foundation for Cambodia’s overall economic development. He believes that Cambodia’s capital market is poised for a “golden decade,” supported by several factors:
- GDP growth consistently exceeding 7% over the past decade, with post-pandemic performance expected to be among the best globally.
- Increased investment demand when GDP per capita reaches $2,000.
- Improved tax policies.
- The most open foreign investment policies, dollar pricing, and no foreign exchange controls.
Additionally, to continue advancing the internationalization of the securities market and enhance the dynamism of Cambodia’s capital market, efforts are being made to explore overseas markets, actively promote the Cambodian securities market to foreign investors, attract more foreign capital, and make the securities market more vibrant, positioning Cambodia as a financial center in Southeast Asia.
At the grand opening ceremony of the Cambodia Securities Exchange, government and company representatives rang the ceremonial golden bell, marking the official launch and the anticipated surge in Cambodia’s capital market.
The total value of the signed agreements on the event day amounted to approximately $200 million. Ms. Wen, the founder and CEO of Cambodia Securities, expressed gratitude to the international representatives, esteemed guests, industry veterans, and chamber representatives for their attendance and guidance. She highlighted that, on this occasion, the company signed memorandums of understanding with three financial institutions and finalized listing or bond issuance agreements with six companies. These agreements represent significant players in Cambodia’s industries and signal the beginning of the country’s capital market expansion. Cambodia’s advantages, such as being the second-largest USD trading country globally, right after the US, underpin the expected growth and prosperity of its capital market. The company anticipates that the market will experience exponential growth and thriving conditions within the next five years.
Mr. Pan Junyou, General Manager of Cambodia Securities, emphasized that the company will align with national economic policies and actively contribute to the development, planning, and regulation of Cambodia’s capital market. They will also facilitate effective connections with international capital markets and financial institutions to promote sustained market growth. Cambodia Securities aims to become the largest investment bank in Cambodia by adhering to SERC’s guidelines and requirements, enhancing market liquidity, and attracting more market participants and foreign investment institutions.
Cambodia Securities, as the first fully licensed company in Cambodia, aims to become the largest investment bank in the country.
Over 500 entrepreneurs and representatives from financial institutions attended the event.
