CGCC

SERC, CGCC Sign Pact to Promote Issuance of Guaranteed Bonds

The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC) and Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia Friday partnered to promote the issuance of guarantee bonds.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by SERC Director-General Sou Socheat and Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC).

The MoU aims to promote the development of the securities sector and the issuance of guaranteed bonds by supporting companies and financial institutions to obtain additional capital through the issuance of bonds including green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked bonds and sustainability bonds which are supported and guaranteed of repayment in case default by local guarantor to enhance local capital mobilization more effectively.

Both institutions also co-organized a workshop on “Benefits and Opportunities of Issuing Guaranteed Bonds in Cambodia” to raise awareness and disseminate the requirements to obtain guarantees for bonds and for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and related institutions as well as highlight the benefits and opportunities of issuing guaranteed bonds.

Socheat said, “The MoU will attract more companies, including SMEs, to seek financing through the securities market and provide additional benefit for listed companies having demands for additional sources of financing in the form of bond issuance or other forms of debt, with the opportunities to obtain guarantees with special rates.”

Wong said that as the first and only bond guarantee institution in Cambodia, CGCC will play a key role in developing the growth of bond issuance listed on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX). “This MoU with SERC is strategic to develop and work towards enhancing the securities framework to promote higher bond issuance to raise funding and attract more domestic and foreign investors,” he said.

This MoU will enable both parties to achieve the shared goal in terms of mutually supporting SERC for the development of the bond market, and CGCC to be the leading bond guarantee institution in Cambodia for improving financial inclusion and developing SMEs in Cambodia, said Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

“This cooperation will bring a positive impact on the bond market in Cambodia by encouraging the issuance and investment of more bonds, including green bonds, social bonds, and sustainable bonds,” Seilava said.

 

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 02 September 2024

 

The Signing of MOU between SERC and CGCC and Workshop on “Benefits and Opportunities of Issuing Guaranteed Bonds in Cambodia”

In the Morning of Friday, August 30, 2024, with the honor permission from H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and Chairman of the Non-Bank Financial Services Authority (FSA), H.E. Sou Socheat, Delegate of the Royal Government in Charge as Director General of the Securities and Exchange Regulator of the  Cambodia (SERC) and Mr. Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Collaboration in Promoting the Development and the Issuance of Guaranteed Bonds” and co-organized the workshop on “Benefits and Opportunities of Issuing Guaranteed Bonds in Cambodia” under the high presidency of H.E. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Chairman of CGCC and Vice Chairman of the Board of FSA at FSA building.

This MoU signing ceremony was organized to promote the development of securities sector and the issuance of guaranteed bonds by supporting companies and financial institutions to obtain additional capital through the issuance of bonds including green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, and sustainability bonds which are supported and guaranteed of repayment in case default by local guarantor in order to enhance local capital mobilization more effectively. Back to back with this MoU signing ceremony, both institutions also co-organized the workshop on “Benefits and Opportunities of Issuing Guaranteed Bonds in Cambodia” in order to raise awareness and disseminate the requirements to obtain guarantees for bonds and for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and related institutions as well as highlight the benefits and opportunities of issuing guaranteed bonds.

In this event, H.E. Delegate stated that “Through today’s MoU, it will attract more companies, including SMEs, to seek financing through the securities market, and will also provide additional benefits for listed companies having demands for additional sources of financing in the form of bond issuance or other forms of debt, with the opportunities to obtain guarantee with special rate.”

Mr. Wong Keet Loong also stated that “As the first and only bond guarantee institution in Cambodia, CGCC will play a key role in developing the growth of bond issuance listed on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX). The credit rating of CGCC at khAAA will enhance the credit rating of the issuer thus giving added confidence to bond investors. This MoU with SERC is strategic to develop and work towards enhancing the securities framework to promote higher bond issuance to raise funding and attract more domestic and foreign investors.”

H.E. Ros Seilava​ has added that “This MOU will enable both parties to achieve the shared goal in terms of mutually supporting SERC for the development of the bond market, and CGCC to be the leading bond guarantee institution in Cambodia for improving financial inclusion and developing SMEs in Cambodia. At the same time, this cooperation will bring a positive impact on the bond market in Cambodia by encouraging the issuance and investment of more bonds, including green bonds, social bonds, and sustainable bonds.”

This event was attended by senior representatives including: General Secretariate of FSA and regulators under FSA, CSX, Cambodia Association of Securities Firms, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia, the Association of Bank in Cambodia, Rating Agency of (Cambodia) Plc., listed companies and potential listed companies and media partners with a total of 100 participants. The workshop was sharing by resources speakers who enrich of professional experiences from SERC, CGCC, Telcotech LTD., Royal Group Securities Plc. and Prudential (Cambodia) Life Assurance Plc.

 

Means of Contact:

SERC

Research, Training, Securities Market Development and International Relations Department via mobile number (855) 95 775 772 (Khy Pochchhing) or Email: [email protected]

CGCC

Division: Strategy and Business Development Department via mobile number (855) 78 222 186 (Sorn Chhorvyvatey) or Email: chhorvyvatey.sorn@cgcc.com.kh

 

About SERC

SERC is an authority to supervise, monitor and develop the securities sector in the Kingdom of Cambodia that having seen the Preah Reach Kram No. NS/RKM/0121/003 dated January 16, 2021 that promulgate the Law on the Conduct and the Organization of the Non-Bank Financial Services Authority and having seen the Preah Reach Kram No. NS/RKM/ 1007/028 dated October 19, 2007 that promulgate the Law on The Issuance and Trading of Non-Government Securities and Anukret No. 97/ANKR/BK dated July 23, 2008 on the Organizing and Functioning of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia. SERC has its official website: www.serc.gov.kh and official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/serc.gov.kh.

 

About CGCC

CGCC is the only credit guarantee corporation in Cambodia, established by the decision of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, as a state-owned enterprise under the technical and financial guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The primary mission of CGCC is to provide credit guarantees to improve financial inclusion and support the growth of SMEs in Cambodia. On 31 January 2024, CGCC launched as the First Cambodian Bond Guarantor after being accredited by the SERC) and rated khAAA, the highest rating by the local rating scale, by the Rating Agency of Cambodia on 19 December 2023. CGCC aims to provide guarantees on local corporate bond issuances on the CSX to support local companies raising funding and the development of the securities sector in Cambodia. The official website of CGCC: www.cgcc.com.kh and official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/officialcgcc.

 

 

The Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia and Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia on Collaboration in Promoting the Development and the Issuance of Guaranteed Bonds and Workshop on “Benefits and Opportunities of Issuing Guaranteed Bonds in Cambodia”

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Women Entrepreneur Scheme 40% of CGCC Guaranteed Loan Book

More than 40 percent of all loans guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) have been given to women entrepreneurs, CGCC CEO KL Wong in an exclusive interview told Khmer Times.

Currently, CGCC has guaranteed loans amounting to $200 million to 2,366 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) accounts as it marked three years of operation. Started during the Covid-19 pandemic to help businesses tide over the economic downturn, CGCC said it now has an outstanding guaranteed loan amount of $129 million and an outstanding guaranteed amount of $94 million from lending to MSME businesses that have provided jobs to more than 52,000 people in Cambodia.

Under the Women Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme (WEGS) there are many benefits for women taking a CGCC-guaranteed loan. Among the benefits are lower interest rates with the bank, a lower guarantee fee for the first year and higher coverage of loan guarantee, said Wong. Expanding, he said, that the guarantee fee for SMEs under the CGCC’s Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS) was 1 percent. But for women entrepreneurs, this fee has been reduced to 0.5 percent from 1 percent for the first-year of the loan tenure. Apart from that, for SMEs under the BRGS scheme, about 70 percent of the loan is covered/guaranteed by CGCC. Whereas for the women entrepreneur scheme as high as 80 percent of the loan amount is guaranteed by CGCC.

The CGCC so far has supported many women entrepreneurs in diverse fields. One of the beneficiaries of its scheme is Rithypul founder and CEO Bopha Pen. In 2020, her financial awareness startup had a liquidity crunch. Needing working capital for day-to-day operations, she sought a bank loan. However, her collateral proved insufficient till CGCC stepped in and guaranteed her loan with one of its partner financial institutions CAMMA Microfinance.

Today Bopha, runs Rithypul and has launched training centres and a fintech mobile app Kotluy.

Another woman entrepreneur, who has benefitted from CGCC’s loan guarantee, is Thida Kheav’s SOGE. SOGE (also known as Solar Green Energy (Cambodia) Co), which is a renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer, lacked capital outlay for expansion. Till CGCC stepped in.

CGCC CEO KL Wong has said that the government is keen on giving priority to women-led businesses. When it first launched in 2021, about 23 percent of its total borrowers were women. This number went up to 35 percent of total borrowers in 2022. By the end of 2023, as high as 42 percent of CGCC’s total loan portfolio guaranteed is for women.

“We are proud of the gender diversity in our portfolio,” said Wong. CGCC currently has five loan guarantee schemes. Apart from WEGS and BRGS, CGCC has the Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme (CFGS), the Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme for Tourism (CFGS-TR) and Portfolio Guarantee Scheme (PGS).

CGCC CEO said that their scheme is tailored for SMEs, who form a vital part of Cambodia’s economy. SMEs represent 70 percent of employment opportunities in the country and contribute 58 percent to the country’s GDP. CGCC said that it is currently backing SMEs from diverse fields like agriculture, services, industry and services.

Wong also said the WEGS scheme has a ceiling cap for interest rates on loans. For the first-year interest rate the ceiling, inclusive of the first-year guarantee fees, was 8 percent for riel-denominated loans and 9 percent for dollar-denominated loans. And for microfinance institutions (MFIs) and deposit-taking institutions (MDIs), women could take loans that were fixed at an upper ceiling of 10 percent for riel-denominated loans and 11 percent for dollar-denominated loans.

He said women-led businesses were eligible for all types of loans, including term loans, overdrafts, trade financing facilities, etc. There was the option not just for new loans but also for refinancing old loans. CGCC said that it is currently guaranteeing both secured and unsecured loans. The maximum loan amount for working capital loans is $300,000
and the maximum amount for investment and business expansion plans is $500,000.

Credit to: Khmer Times, Publish on 16 August 2024

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

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

As the first commercial bank in Cambodia, a truly local bank trusted since 1979, FTB has been consistently contributing to develop the local market and economy through relentless supporting projects initiated by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC). The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) is a great initiative of the RGC, which focuses on business owners typically possessing no or insufficient collateral to access credit in a manner that they would otherwise be unable to obtain.

Being one of the earlier Participating Financial Institution (PFI), there are various opportunities presented to FTB, which are inclusive of:

  • Having further participation in the RGC’s initiatives to promote national economic growth by continuing to provide loans to customers who have real financing needs with solid business plan but do lack of collateral to pledge.
  • Contributing to the opportunities of creating jobs and employment for people through offering access to finance through credit guarantees scheme to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Large Enterprises to enable them to enhance productivity and expand their business operations.
  • Creating new business opportunities for the Bank’s own operation through supporting new and existing clients to expand credit portfolio in alignment with the Bank’s strategic plan.

 

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

The credit guarantee schemes offer benefits to FTB and the customers in numbers of ways:

For Bank:

  • Introducing new credit opportunities for customers who need funding but lack of collateral to pledge, as well as represents a significant development in the banking sector, transitioning from traditional collateral-based loans, such as those secured by real estate and other property, to loan covered by the guarantee under this new scheme.
  • Maintaining the existing customers and attracting new potential ones to use FTB Bank’s services by providing flexible loans tailored to their needs and investment plans.
  • Mitigating credit risk by obtaining credit guarantees up to 80% of the loan amount from CGCC

For the Customers:

  • Enabling potential customers access to new loans through financial institutions licensed by the National Bank of Cambodia, even without sufficient collateral.
  • Getting comprehensive financial advice from bank experts who have received proper training from relevant institutions.
  • Empowering customers to expand their businesses according to their set plan.

 

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

Since being a Participating Financial Institution, FTB has been actively providing all types of loans to customers, such as Business Term Loans, Overdraft Loans and Revolving Loans to support credit guarantee schemes as follows:

  • Rice Export Guarantee Scheme (REGS)
  • Women Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme (WEGS)
  • Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS)
  • Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme for Tourism (CFGS-TR)

 

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

To obtain the guaranteed loans from the FTB Bank, business owners shall meet the following key criteria among various requirements:

  • Businesses with a Cambodian shareholder (shareholding of more than 50%) and sufficient capital to participate in investment projects, intending to utilize the loan in accordance with the CGCC’s requirements.
  • Business registration issued by the legalized government authorities.
  • Unregistered businesses must be registered with relevant authorities after receiving the loan.
  • Businesses with sufficient income to ensure their ability for loan repayment to the bank.

 

5. What is the Bank’s strategy/plan to further expand the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024?

In alignment with our strategic plan, FTB will continue to offer guaranteed loans with numbers of key priorities and actions including:

  • Continuing to actively promote our services to both existing and new customers who have a potential and solid plan to expand the business.
  • Developing a training program for all related lending staff to ensure they have a clear understanding and are well equipped to support the customers with their financing needs.
  • Continuing to collaborate with relevant parties to streamline the process of obtaining guaranteed loans to ensure convenience and speed from the CGCC.

 

Read and Download in PDF: Interview with participating Financial Institution (FTB Bank)

 

CGCC Collaborates With GuarantCo and PIDG to Accelerate Financial Inclusion and Enhance Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure in Cambodia

The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) GuarantCo and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which is intended to accelerate sustainable financial inclusion and increase investment opportunities in Cambodia. The collaboration will also facilitate the scale up of CGCC’s capacity through involvement in a range of transaction types with GuarantCo and PIDG Technical Assistance (TA).

Having completed three transactions in Cambodia, GuarantCo is seeking to develop CGCC’s capital market guarantee capability via the PIDG Credit Enhancement Facility initiative. This programme aims to increase the availability of onshore local currency guarantees in target markets through partnering with local entities and utilizing products from across the PIDG Group, in this case re-guarantee facilities from GuarantCo and technical assistance from PIDG TA.

The MoU being signed is the first step towards a broader Framework Agreement, which both parties hope to close and execute later this year, covering syndication of GuarantCo guarantee exposure to CGCC and vice versa, as well as technical assistance.

The Technical Assistance programme will assist CGCC to develop key guarantee documents and engage a transaction counsel to advise on the facility documentation, as well as provide capacity building support on credit, investment and Sustainable Development Impact management processes.

Philippe Valahu CEO of PIDG, said: “Local financing solutions are an essential part of our 2030 strategy and the establishment of in-country credit enhancement facilities is a key objective to help develop local markets. Signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia will help expedite this work.”

Layth Al-Falaki, CEO of GuarantCo, said: “We are proud to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia and to be able to mobilise guarantee capacity to help CGCC expand to undertake transactions in progressive sustainable financing through the local capital markets, in line with PIDG and GuarantCo’s strategic plans. GuarantCo’s engagement in Cambodia started in 2022 through transactions with First Finance and Royal Railway followed by Cellcard in 2023. Through this MoU with CGCC, we are continuing our momentum in the country to the advantage of Cambodians who will benefit from improved infrastructure.”

Wong Keet Loong, CEO of the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to work with GuarantCo, an established international guarantee provider, funded by seven G12 governments including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada and France. CGCC will benefit from the technical expertise to embed best practices into our bond guarantee processes. We are excited with this collaboration and look forward to the structured facility which will expand our guarantee capacity.”

About GuarantCo

www.guarantco.com

About PIDG

www.pidg.org

About Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia

www.cgcc.com.kh

Credit to: KIRIPOST, Publish on 02 August 2024

Guarantco and PIDG Partner With CGCC To Boost Sustainable Investment & Boost Onshore Local Currency Guarantees in Cambodia

GuarantCo, the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), and the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) have formalized a partnership aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and enhancing investment in sustainable infrastructure in Cambodia. The three entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their collaborative efforts to expand CGCC’s capabilities through a variety of transaction types supported by GuarantCo and PIDG Technical Assistance (TA).

This MoU marks an initial step towards a broader Framework Agreement anticipated to be finalized later this year. The agreement will include the syndication of GuarantCo’s guarantee exposure to CGCC and vice versa, alongside technical assistance to bolster CGCC’s operational capacity. GuarantCo, which has previously completed three transactions in Cambodia, aims to enhance CGCC’s capital market guarantee capabilities through the PIDG Credit Enhancement Facility initiative.

Boost The Availability Of Onshore Local Currency Guarantees

This initiative seeks to boost the availability of onshore local currency guarantees by partnering with local entities and leveraging products from across the PIDG Group, including re-guarantee facilities from GuarantCo and technical assistance from PIDG TA.

Read more: Royal Group Securities and Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia Forge Strategic Partnership to Support Capital Market Development

The Technical Assistance program is set to provide CGCC with essential support, including the development of key guarantee documents, engagement of a transaction counsel for facility documentation, and capacity-building in credit, investment, and Sustainable Development Impact management processes.

Philippe Valahu, CEO of PIDG, emphasized the significance of local financing solutions in their 2030 strategy. “Local financing solutions are an essential part of our 2030 strategy and the establishment of in-country credit enhancement facilities is a key objective to help develop local markets. Signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia will help expedite this work,” Valahu stated.

Layth Al-Falaki, CEO of GuarantCo, expressed pride in the collaboration. “We are proud to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia and to be able to mobilise guarantee capacity to help CGCC expand to undertake transactions in progressive sustainable financing through the local capital markets, in line with PIDG and GuarantCo’s strategic plans. GuarantCo’s engagement in Cambodia started in 2022 through transactions with First Finance and Royal Railway followed by Cellcard in 2023. Through this MoU with CGCC, we are continuing our momentum in the country to the advantage of Cambodians who will benefit from improved infrastructure.”

Enhancing Cambodia’s Financial and Infrastructural Landscape

Wong Keet Loong, CEO of CGCC, highlighted the benefits of the partnership. “We are honoured to have the opportunity to work with GuarantCo, an established international guarantee provider, funded by seven G12 governments including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, and France. CGCC will benefit from the technical expertise to embed best practices into our bond guarantee processes. We are excited with this collaboration and look forward to the structured facility which will expand our guarantee capacity.”

This partnership signifies a strategic move towards enhancing Cambodia’s financial and infrastructural landscape, promoting sustainable development, and increasing investment opportunities within the region.

 

Credit to: Cambodia Investment Review, Published on 01 August 2o024

 

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

Read and Download in PDF: Interview with Participating Financial Institution (ACLEDA Bank)

 

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

Credit guarantee schemes of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia “CGCC” are good and essential schemes contributing to the development of the country’s national economy by providing credit guarantees to Small-sized and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and Large Enterprises which are financially viable but with insufficient or no collateral to enable them to get official loans from ACLEDA Bank as well as other PFIs. Through the credit guarantee from CGCC, the Bank could expand credit market, promote financial inclusion and manage credit risks effectively.

ACLEDA Bank has joined and become one of the participating financial institutions (PFIs) for the following main reasons:

  • Participate with the Royal Government’s initiatives and schemes to support the country’s socio-economic development.
  • Support and encourage SMEs and Large Firms to obtain formal loans from the licensed financial institutions for both working capital and business expansion.
  • Contribute to creating employment opportunities for people through the growth of businesses obtaining the formal loans under CGCC’s credit guarantee.

 

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

The credit guarantee schemes offer many benefits to both ACLEDA Bank and the customers as follows:

  • For ACLEDA Bank:
    • Diversify the credit products in line with the Bank’s strategic plan.
    • Manage credit risks effectively.
    • Maintain the existing customers and attract new potential ones.
  • For the customers:

    • Offer choices to the customers and be able to get formal loans for the expansion of their business activities.
    • Improve their living conditions through the growth of businesses.
    • Have a chance to create employment opportunities for their communities and promote innovation in their products and services.

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

So far, ACLEDA Bank uses the credit guarantees to provide business loans, revolving facility, and overdraft facility to our customers as SMEs and Large Enterprises in both priority and non-priority sectors to meet their business needs.

 

4. How should the borrowers prepare themselves to get guaranteed loans from ACLEDA Bank?

To obtain the guaranteed loans from ACLEDA Bank, the borrowers both individuals and legal entities shall meet the following criteria:

  • Business activities operate in Cambodia and majority Cambodian-owned businesses (shareholding of more than 50%)
  • Business registration issued by the appropriate government authorities
  • Financially viable businesses and accurate financial statements
  • Have owner equity and specific business plan
  • Loan utilization in accordance with the purposes as mentioned in the credit proposal
  • Willingness to comply with the loan obligations etc.

 

5. What is the ACLEDA Bank’s strategy/plan to further expand the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024?

ACLEDA Bank still continues to stimulate the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024 through promoting credit guarantees to both existing and new customers who need financing as well as  providing the trainings and refresher courses on the knowledge of credit guarantees to all the credit-related staffs of all branches nationwide, providing technical support for credit guarantees, especially having a good collaboration with CGCC to support and enhance the growth of guaranteed loans in a sustainable manner.

 

Meeting Between CGCC ADB, and GGGI exploring the collaboration on Cambodian Green Sustainable Financing

On 06 December 2023, CGCC, led by Mr. Wong Keet Loong, CEO of CGCC, met with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to discuss on GGGI’s Switch Garment Project to promote sustainable energy practices in the Garment Sector in Cambodia.

The meeting also aimed to explore collaboration opportunities between CGCC, ADB, and GGGI to implement the Sustainable Green Financing Facility (SGFF), a blended financing facility comprising of credit guarantee, and technical assistance elements, to support sustainable development goal (SDG).

Credit Guarantees to SMEs Reach Nearly $140 Million

The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) provided credit guarantees of $139.5 million to businesses for their working capital expansion as of July 2023.

The credit guarantee has been provided to 1,648 businesses, according to a report on Friday.

CGCC said in a statement that the total amount of outstanding guaranteed loans was $107.51 million, while the total amount of outstanding guaranteed amount was $77.48 million.

There are 1,510 micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSME) and 138 large businesses get their loan guaranteed, the report said, adding that about 677 were women-owned.

The report stated that a significant portion of the loan guarantees were used for working capital, investment, business expansion, and capital expenditures.

CGCC, the first credit guarantee institution in the country under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, was established in August 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide timely credit to support the rehabilitation and sustainability of local businesses.

Under the CGCC’s scheme, more than 30 participating financial institutions (PFIs) participate in providing credit as working capital investment and business expansion to SMEs.

Rath Sophoan, CEO and Country Head of Maybank Cambodia, said more credit has been disbursed to SMEs as banks and SMEs have learnt from each other to find the common points of financial assessments.

“With the economy recovering to get back to normal, it is time for SME growth. It requires financing solutions and more banks will increase providing credit to SMEs as banks and SMEs have worked together to find solutions and they understand each other more,” Sophoan said at a forum on supporting SMEs on legal and financial insights for sustainable growth at Olympia City Hotel on Friday.

The credit guarantee scheme has contributed to strengthening entrepreneurship and improving financial inclusion in Cambodia by facilitating the smooth distribution of loans, said Mey Vann, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

“The CGCC has played a key role in serving the needs of SMEs in Cambodia, which are struggling in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the inflation crisis, and need credit from banks for their business,” Vann said.

The government will continue to implement supportive policies through credit guarantee mechanisms to ensure the development of small and medium enterprises, he added.

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 21 August 2023