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CGCC Provides $271M Loan Guarantees to SMEs

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) has provided credit guarantees of $271 million for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as of February 2025 as their working capital for expansion.

“As of the end of February 2025, CGCC has approved 3,979 guaranteed accounts, amounting to $271.14 million,” CGCC said in a report issued last Thursday.

In February 2025, CGCC approved 547 guaranteed accounts, which is the highest number of guaranteed accounts approved in a month since CGCC started the credit guarantee services in 2021.

The outstanding guaranteed loan as of February was $156.69 million, while the outstanding guaranteed amount was $114.89 million, read the report.

There are 3,792 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 187 large businesses in Cambodia, the report said, adding that 1,834 of the businesses were women-owned.

No Lida, CEO of CGCC, said that credit guarantee mechanisms have helped in contributing to the potential MSMEs that need funds to expand their production chains.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises that have potential but lack collateral or a certain level of risk that banks and microfinance institutions cannot provide credit to, so the Cambodia government, through the CGCC, will step in to help guarantee the credit of small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.

Through the Cambodian Credit Guarantee Corporation, which insures up to 80 percent of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises, the government expects that banks and microfinance institutions will be able to provide more loans according to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, he said.

The CGCC scheme involves participating financial institutions (PFIs) including state-run Agriculture and Rural Development Bank and SME Bank to extend credit as working capital investment and business expansion to SMEs.

Established in November 2020, the CGCC is the preferred credit guarantee institution in Cambodia set up to improve financial inclusion and develop the growth of SMEs. CGCC’s credit guarantee is instrumental in aiding MSMEs to obtain sufficient financing, enabling the enterprises to capitalize on investment opportunities, boost employment and increase income.

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 24 March 2025

 

Agreement Signing Ceremony on Post-Harvest Fisheries Guarantee Scheme Between CGCC and FTB Bank

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 21 March 2025, Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia (FTB) co-organized an agreement signing ceremony on “Post-Harvest Fisheries Guarantee Scheme (PFGS)” with honourable attendance from Management and the team of CGCC, FTB, and representatives of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO Cambodia), to announce the official expanded partnership in providing guaranteed loans by CGCC through FTB to post-harvest fishery businesses and relevant suppliers.

PFGS is developed as a scheme for the Value Chain Investment Support Facility (ISF), a joint project under CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development Project, jointly implemented by the Fisheries Administration and the UNIDO Cambodia, co-funded by the European Union, and having CGCC as the fund manager. Post-harvest fisheries enterprises and relevant suppliers can apply for support from the ISF on Technical Assistance (TA) for upgrading business operations and improving food safety practices, ISF Grant funds to procure Eligible Equipment to introduce innovations and optimise the business operations, and business loans guaranteed by CGCC from Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of CGCC such as FTB that has entered in this agreement on PFGS with CGCC.

Mr. No Lida, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC, said, “CGCC is delighted to have FTB as a new Participating Financial Institution (PFI) in the Investment Support Facility (ISF) project. The participation of FTB will improve the efficient implementation of the ISF in response to the demand of post-harvest fishery enterprises for access to financing support and guaranteed loans necessary to increase the competitiveness, productivity, and standard of production of potential post-harvest fishery enterprises in Cambodia.

Mr. Dith Sochal, Chief Executive Officer of FTB Bank, said, “Our two institutions are committed to strengthening and expanding our collaboration with the shared goal of driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and optimising business operations for enterprises in the post-harvest fisheries sector, domestic suppliers, and exporters to international markets. This agreement also reflects the strong partnership and active engagement between FTB and CGCC since 2021, with the expectation of successful and sustained comprehensive cooperation between the two institutions.”

Through this PFGS agreement, CGCC and FTB are committed to supporting post-harvest fishery enterprises and input suppliers in increasing productivity, improving food safety compliance and quality standards of fishery products, reaching new markets, including international markets, and improving businesses in a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive way.

For post-harvest fisheries enterprises, apply for ISF now! Limited funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the ISF and the application process, visit: https://www.cgcc.com.kh/en/post-harvest-fishery-guarantee-scheme/

Email: [email protected]

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 21 March 2025

Post-Harvest Fisheries Businesses Receive Financing Support

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture project have marked a major milestone in their efforts to support local fish processing enterprises.

On February 21, the two organisations signed support agreements for the first group of 11 enterprises, which have already benefitted from approximately $320,000 in grant funding under the Investment Support Facility (ISF).

This financial support is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Cambodia’s post-harvest fisheries sector by providing vital resources for business growth, food safety compliance and market expansion.

The ISF combines grant funding, loans and contributions from beneficiaries to offer a comprehensive financial package.

“It is administered by the CGCC in collaboration with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Fisheries Administration (FiA),” explained a joint press release.

This innovative financing scheme totals approximately $2.5 million.

It includes $1 million in grant funds (40% of the total investment) for equipment support, $1.25 million (50%) in loans from participating financial institutions (PFIs) guaranteed by the CGCC, and $250,000 (10%) contributed by the beneficiaries themselves.

“Since its inception in late 2024, the ISF has welcomed its first group of 11 fish processing enterprises, with many more in the pipeline for this groundbreaking support,” it said.

“The project has provided its initial grant funding of around $320,000, leveraging an additional $340,000 guaranteed loans from CGCC’s partners, such as ACLEDA Bank and Maybank Cambodia, along with $580,000 from the enterprises themselves,” it added.

This collaborative funding structure is designed to provide a balanced approach to supporting business development, market access and sustainability.

The primary aim of the ISF is to assist post-harvest fisheries enterprises in improving their operations, meeting international food safety standards and expanding their market reach both domestically and internationally.

By focusing on sectors with high growth potential, particularly those led by women, youth and persons with disabilities, the ISF ensures that financial inclusion is central to its objectives.

All post-harvest fisheries enterprises are encouraged to apply for funding, as limited resources are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Credit to: The Phnom Penh Post, Published on 26 February 2025

 

Investment Support Facility (ISF): CGCC, Participating Financial Institutions & EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture Team Up to Boost Investments in the Fisheries Sector

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

Phnom Penh, 26 February 2025 – On February 21, 2025, the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project celebrated a significant milestone in promoting financial inclusion and growth for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the post-harvest fisheries sector. They officially signed support agreements for 11 fish processing enterprises as part of the Investment Support Facility (ISF).

The ISF, a key initiative under the CAPFISH-Capture project funded by the European Union (EU), is administered by the CGCC in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Fisheries Administration (FiA). This innovative financing scheme totals approximately US$2.5 million, comprising US$1 million in grant funds (40% of total investment) from the project as equipment support, US$1.25 million (50%) in loans from participating financial institutions (PFIs) guaranteed by the CGCC, and US$250,000 (10%) contributed by the beneficiaries themselves.

Since its inception in late 2024, the ISF has welcomed its first group of 11 fish processing enterprises, with many more in the pipeline for this groundbreaking support. The project has provided its initial grant funding of around US$320,000, leveraging an additional US$340,000 guaranteed loans from CGCC’s PFIs, such as ACLEDA Bank and Maybank Cambodia, along with US$580,000 from the enterprises themselves.

The ISF focuses primarily on supporting post-harvest fisheries enterprises eager to enhance their operations and expand their market reach, both nationally and internationally. There is a strong emphasis on empowering businesses led by women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Through the ISF initiative, the CGCC and the CAPFISH-Capture project are committed to helping eligible post-harvest fisheries enterprises meet food safety and market standards. Tailored support includes assistance with business development, market linkages, food safety compliance, and environmental and social safeguards.

For post-harvest fisheries enterprises, APPLY NOW! Limited funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the ISF and the application process, visit: https://www.cgcc.com.kh/en/post-harvest-fishery-guarantee-scheme/

Email: [email protected]

Photo credit: @UNIDO_CAPFISH-Capture_Sovannarith NUTH
Photo credit: @UNIDO_CAPFISH-Capture_Sovannarith NUTH
Photo credit: @UNIDO_CAPFISH-Capture_Sovannarith NUTH

Meet the Business Owner Who Received a Loan Guaranteed by CGCC

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

My dream is to invest in a business that can contribute to people’s well-being because good health and mental well-being are essential for a good quality of life. This is the main reason why my wife and I started two businesses, ADK Rice and Muny Clinic. I established ADK Rice company because I believe that rice is the a primary food for many people, and with the increasing population and decreasing agricultural land, ensuring a stable rice supply is crucial. My wife and I jointly established Muny Clinic with the vision of providing affordable and high-quality healthcare services.

Through my experience working for a large rice exporter in Cambodia, I became aware of the challenges faced by farmers in rural areas, so I decided to start retailing rice for local consumption, called Angkor Dey Khmer. In 2021, the business expanded and evolved into ADK Rice (Cambodia), a company that produces high-quality rice that complies with food safety standards and provides farmers with a sustainable market and increased their income by contract farming supply to my company. Muny Clinic is a medical care and treatment clinic that was established in 2018 by my wife and me. We are committed to providing quality and affordable healthcare services to Cambodians, with a particular focus on treating diabetes and offering regular health check-ups to prevent serious diseases.

The goal of doing business is to develop and grow. My clinic business is no different. We want to acquire modern medical equipment to enhance the clinic’s standards and grow our business. We have decided to apply for a loan from a bank to make our dreams a reality. However, we do not have enough collateral or land title to pledge with the bank. This challenge was overcome with the help of CGCC credit guarantees, which alleviated this challenge and enabled me to get a loan from Prince Bank to purchase clinical equipment.

I obtained a CGCC guarantee on my loan not by chance, but because of the knowledge I gained from participating in the CGCC Capacity Building Program called “EPIC” series 1 of 2024 in May 2024. Through EPIC, I learned about CGCC and partner banks that can provide loans to potential businesses with a clear business plan but face challenges due to  lack of collateral. After receiving the guaranteed loan, I purchased additional medical equipment for our new clinic building, which is in line with the purpose of that guaranteed loan, business plan, and investment plan. In addition, I also plan to apply for additional loans for working capital to buy paddy rice from farmers to increase the rice production of my AKD rice in the future.

As a business owner, I acknowledge that understanding financial literacy is very important because it allows us to think in detail about investing in all aspects, such as purchasing assets to generate more income rather than buying any non-income-generating assets. On the other hand, with financial literacy, we can effectively manage human resources by taking into account factors such as the number of employees, salaries, incentives, and benefits.

Read and Download in PDF: Meet the Business Owner Who Received a Loan Guaranteed by CGCC

 

Understanding Market Structure

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

What products or services are your business offering? Who else in the market is offering similar products or services? What is your business strategy to stay ahead of the competition? The answers to these questions relate to the market structure in which your business operates. Market structure refers to the characteristics of a market, including the number of firms, the nature of products and services, freedom of entry and exit, and so on. Market structure plays a pivotal role in the strategic decision-making of a business – how to operate and compete.

Perfect Competition

In Phnom Penh, if you wish to purchase a pure drinking water bottle to satisfy your thirst on a hot day, you have many options like Vital, Angkor Puro, Dasani, Oral, Hi-Tech, Aruna, Cambodia, etc. Despite the different branding, these products share a very similar taste and are generally priced at approximately 0.25 cents per bottle, representing the equilibrium price in this market. If sold at the same place and in the same setting, any products priced above this equilibrium price will eventually be out of the market. The customer is indifferent to switching between these products for the lowest cost. This market of pure drinking water can be a close example of perfect competition.

Perfect competition is a market structure where numerous firms offer identical products or services, and no single firm has the power to set the price. Buyers have complete information about the products and services, and the price is determined by supply and demand. Entry and exit into this market are extremely easy. The key to competing in this market is to set the price equal to the marginal cost, an additional cost for an additional output. 

It is indeed rare, if not impossible, to find perfect competition in real life. The conditions for perfect competition, where many firms offer the same products or services, buyers have all the information, and entry and exit are easy, are seldom met. However, perfect competition serves as a theoretical benchmark that helps us understand the dynamics of real-life markets.

Monopoly

When I rejoined the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 2010, I was involved in the first-ever Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Cambodia Securities Exchange. As the first IPO in Cambodia, the listing process of Phnom Penh Water Supply (PPWSA) was challenging and time-consuming. PPSWA was eventually listed successfully in April 2012, raising around USD 20 million. Equity investment in PPWSA is considered safe because PPSWA is the only licensed water supply operator in Phnom Penh and Ta Khmao. PPWSA offers an indispensable service (clean water supply) and has no competitors in its authorized areas. PPWSA can set the price without worrying about losing customers. In other words, PPSWA is a monopoly.

Monopoly is the opposite of perfect competition. In a monopoly, there is only one seller of a particular product and many buyers. There are barriers to entry. A monopoly maximizes profit by producing outputs when the marginal revenue (an additional earning from selling one extra unit) equals the marginal cost, and by charging the maximum price consumers are willing to pay for that output. However, the pricing strategy of monopolies is usually under strict government regulation to ensure social welfare. Other firms operating in Cambodia that can be considered monopolies include Electricity of Cambodia (EDC), NagaCorp, CINTRI, and the company I am serving, Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC).

Oligopoly

If you ask Cambodian people which mobile network service they are subscribed to, chances are they are using either Cellcard, Smart, or Metfone. These are the three leading players in this industry, holding more than 90% of the market share. Cellcard, Smart, and Metfone fiercely compete with one another on all fronts—price, product innovation, and advertising. Several mobile network companies have tried entering the Cambodian market to compete with these players. Most of them withdrew, such as Beelines and QB. The mobile network industry is an oligopoly.

An oligopoly is a market in which a small number of firms dominate and compete. This industry is highly competitive, and entering it is extremely difficult. The strategy of one firm can influence the strategies of other firms. Because there are only a few players, they often cooperate to limit output and charge higher prices to maximize their shared profits. This behavior is called collusion, which refers to the cooperation among firms in an oligopoly to make joint decisions and act as if they were a monopoly.

Other oligopoly industries include grocery store chains (Lucky Supermarket, AEON Supermarket, and CHIP MONG Supermarket), the retailed petroleum industry (TOTAL, TELA, and CALTEX), and movie cinemas (Legends and Major Cineplex).

Firms operating in different market structures require different strategies to compete and operate. So, which market structure is the best? It depends. Each market structure has its pros and cons depending on the industry and the Government’s policy toward the industry.

Summary of Market Structure

Read and Download in PDF: Understanding Market Structure

 

Understanding Credit Guarantee-Interview with Participating Financial Institution (Prince Bank)

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

1. What is Prince Bank’s perspective towards the credit guarantee schemes and why does Prince Bank partner with CGCC?

At Prince Bank, we have a clear vision of helping our customers achieve sustainable growth through comprehensive support and flexible lending options. Our strategic partnership with CGCC will bring us closer to this vision by providing entrepreneurs with better access to financing for their business expansion and growth, allowing them to operate with peace of mind. With our credit guarantee schemes, we firmly believe that our financial support will exceed our clients’ expectations.

2. How do the credit guarantee schemes benefit Prince Bank and your customers?

With the availability of credit guarantee schemes, both Prince Bank and its customers benefit from a reduced risk exposure for the bank and increased financing limits to meet business needs, regardless of the customers’ collateral availability.

3. So far, which type of loans does Prince Bank use the credit guarantees to support?

Since the inception of our partnership with CGCC, Prince Bank has utilized the credit guarantee to provide loans to customers as mentioned below:

  • Business Term Loan
  • Overdraft Loan
  • Trade Finance Facilities

4. How should the borrowers prepare themselves in order to get guaranteed loans from Prince Bank?

To borrow from Prince Bank, customers should diligently plan their business and determine their financial needs for growth. They can then consult with lending experts at any nearby Prince Bank branch for more information on available schemes. Once they have discussed and decided on a suitable scheme, they can submit a request to Prince Bank for further processing and approval based on its internal policy. CGCC will ultimately review this request for final approval on the proposed guaranteed scheme and amount, or Prince Bank will perform registration of the customer’s loan for CGCC’s guarantee after its internal approval.

5. What is the Prince Bank strategy/plan to further expand the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024 and also for the next year?

2024 was still a tough year for everyone, but Prince Bank is still open to lending to our customers, and we have spoken loud on our social media, website and newsagents on the availability of guaranteed schemes to help them if they don’t have sufficient collaterals for their borrowings. In 2025, we will continue our mission and commitment to provide financial support to our clients with a stronger collaboration with CGCC for existing and future suitable schemes.

Read and Download in PDF: Understanding Credit Guarantee-Interview with Participating Financial Institution (Prince Bank)

 

CMA and CGCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Financial Inclusion

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

The Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) and the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on promoting sustainable financial inclusion across Cambodia.

This official partnership was announced during the CGCC Annual Seminar on “Innovation of Credit Guarantee to Promote Green Financing” held here on Jan. 23 under the presidency of Ros Seilava, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Chairman of CGCC.

According to a joint press release, AKP received this morning, this strategic partnership aims to foster the growth of banking and financial institutions (BFIs) and support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity development, digital financial services, and enhanced financial literacy.

Under the MoU, CMA and CGCC will collaborate to strengthen and develop the capacity of MSMEs, BFIs, and stakeholders through training, workshops, seminars, and research studies.

This partnership will also focus on advancing financial literacy and digital finance and promoting the development of green finance in Cambodia. Both organisations are committed to leveraging their resources to ensure the successful implementation of various initiatives to boost the financial sector’s contribution to the country’s economic development.

Oknha Hout Ieng Tong, a CMA representative, said this partnership marks a significant step toward advancing financial inclusion in Cambodia.

“By combining our expertise and resources, we can create a more robust financial ecosystem that supports the growth of MSMEs and contributes to the country’s sustainable development,” he said.

No Lida, CGCC’S Chief Executive Officer, said that there are opportunities for CGCC, CMA, and CMA’s members to use credit guarantees to increase lending to underserved businesses across the country.

“This MoU is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainability in Cambodia,” he said.

The MoU is effective for three years from the date of signing and outlines a framework for cooperation in achieving the shared objectives.

Both parties are dedicated to ensuring the confidentiality of shared information and successfully executing agreed initiatives. AKP

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 24 January 2025