Chamber of Commerce Expands

KHMER TIMES
SOK CHAN



A new sub-decree to allow the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to represent the business sector overseas, will come into force next year after Prime Minister Hun Sen signs the draft into law soon, according to a Commerce Ministry official.

Soeng Sophary, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the new draft sub-decree, sent to Mr. Hun Sen’s office for his signature, allows the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to open representative offices in all provinces, and also in other countries.

“We want our chamber of commerce to be represented overseas like the European Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia,” said Ms. Sophary.

She said the criteria for selecting places where the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce will have representative offices, will be based on countries that have most trade with Cambodia such as China and the European Union nations.

“The new draft sub-decree, when it becomes law, will pave the way for foreign companies as well as individual Cambodians living overseas to be elected as members and office bearers in the chamber of commerce, as well as its branches abroad,” added Ms. Sophary.

Ms. Sophary said that last week about 30 senior government officials and local elected members of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce attended a meeting to discuss the draft sub-decree.

“After the discussions, both parties agreed to amend some articles of sub-decree No.7 and the latest sub-decree No.29 on the chamber of commerce’s organization and functions. Additional paragraphs have been added to the new sub-decree to ensure that it is comprehensive,” added Ms. Sophary.

Hun Lak, vice president of Cambodia Rice Federation, told Khmer Times it was an opportune moment for the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to have overseas representations.

“It will help promote Cambodian products overseas and also build ties with foreign businesses,” said Mr. Lak.

“The rice sector depends on exports and if we have overseas chapters of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, they can help market our rice to foreign buyers,” he added.