SME Development Archives

CGCC and Bridge Bank Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to Support Businesses in Access to Guaranteed Loans

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 07 February 2024, Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Bridge Bank officially announced the partnership in the signing ceremony on the Credit Guarantee Agreement to provide support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large enterprises, in easier access to bank’s loans with CGCC’s Guarantee for business development.

The partnership between CGCC, a state-owned enterprise, under the financial and technical guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Bridge Bank, a commercial bank with a commitment to support the local MSMEs, will enable Bridge Bank to expand the opportunity to be confident in providing the loans to financially viable businesses but lack of collaterals, by using credit guarantees of CGCC.

Mr. Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC said: “This partnership with Bridge Bank opens up a new channel for us to reach out to support the Bank’s SMEs in getting loans when they lack collateral. Our participating FIs will evaluate the eligibility of SMEs for guaranteed loans as they know the financial needs and repayment capability of the borrowers. Our guarantees are vital to ensure the continuous supply of credit into the market to support more economic activities.”

Mr. Richard Liew, CEO of Bridge Bank said: “SMEs are one of the backbones of Cambodia’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP growth as well as providing employment opportunities to all Cambodians. However, some of these businesses often face challenges in accessing financing to support their growth. That is where this partnership between Bridge Bank and CGCC comes in. Through this MoU, we hope to provide MSMEs with easier access to loans by leveraging CGCC’s expertise in credit guarantee services. This will help to mitigate the risk of default and enable us to offer more competitive loan rates, thus increasing the affordability of credit for MSMEs.”

Through this agreement, Bridge Bank has now become one of the 28 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of CGCC, committing to assisting business entities in line with the Government’s direction to support MSMEs. CGCC and Bridge Bank strongly believe that this partnership will be one of the key instrumental in addressing the financing gap faced by many MSMEs and will contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy.

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. Visit CGCC’s website for more information: www.cgcc.com.kh

About Bridge Bank

Bridge Bank provides a comprehensive range of banking products, such as loan services including home, automotive, personal, and business loans, as well as deposit services, payroll and remittance services.

Bridge Bank’s vision and mission are “to be your preferred financial partner of today and generations to come,” and “to provide financial services you can trust through our global service standards, making banking simple and secure.”

Please visit us for more details via www.bridgebank.com.kh

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

Posted on December 6, 2023December 7, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

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).

CGCC Participated in the Women Entrepreneurs Day to share on Government’s Mechanism to support women entrepreneurs

Posted on November 14, 2023December 5, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 11 November 2023, Mr. No Lida, Deputy CEO of CGCC, led CGCC team to participate in the Women Entrepreneurs Day organized by Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association under the topic “The Challenges of Taxation on Women Entrepreneurs and Future Outlook”. This meaningful event was attended by more than 150 participants from relevant institutions from the public and private sectors, as well as development partners.

CGCC Team to Participate in the Women Entrepreneurs Day Organized by Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association Under the Topic “The Challenges of Taxation on Women Entrepreneurs and Future Outlook”

During this event, Ms. San Sokrina, Manager of Product Development of CGCC, was a guest speaker in a panel discussion on “Government Support to Women Entrepreneurs Facing Global Economic Crisis”. During the panel discussion, Ms. San Sokrina shared CGCC’s Credit Guarantee Schemes, especially the Women Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme, which is specifically designed for women entrepreneurs’ access to finance to support their businesses, as well as key recommendations to women entrepreneurs on how to manage and gain access to business loans.

Dissemination Seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Pailin Province

Posted on September 20, 2023October 16, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 15^th September 2023, the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) co-organized a seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Pailin province in collaboration with Pailin Chamber of Commerce with more than 80 participants from Management and staff of participating financial institutions (PFIs) and small and medium business owners in Pailin and other provinces. The seminar was also presided over by H.E. Oknha. Lor Sun Cheang, President of Pailin Chamber of Commerce, Mr. No Lida, Deputy CEO of CGCC, Mr. Hun Vatha, Vice President of Cambodia Agricultural Corporative Alliance (CACA), and the presentations by representatives from LOLC Microfinance Institution and ABA Bank as well.

Through this seminar, small and medium business owners are informed about the benefits of guaranteed loans through CGCC’s participating financial institutions in response to the lack of collateral when applying for a loan to expand and rehabilitate their businesses more.

Dissemination Seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Pailin Province

CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee

Posted on September 19, 2023October 16, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

From 11 September to 14 September 2023, CGCC team led by Mr. Hor Saopiseth, Manager of Centralized Operations of CGCC, visited provincial branches of selected participating financial institutions (PFIs) to discuss with the management and staff of the selected PFIs the implementation of CGCC’s credit guarantee schemes. The selected PFIs in 4 provinces including:

– Kampong Chnang province: ABA Bank and Chamroeun Microfinance

– Pursat province: Prince Bank, Canadia Bank and Chamroeun Microfinance.

– Battambang Province: Prince Bank, FTB Bank, and Maybank

– Pailin Province: LOLC Microfinance, Phillip Bank and ABA Bank.

The discussions with CGCC PFIs’ provincial branches in these 4 potential provinces provided opportunities for both CGCC and PFIs to enhance mutual understanding of credit guarantees and opportunities for PFIs to increase lending to borrowers that lack collateral when requesting loans.

CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee

CGCC Participated in the 35th Asian Credit Supplementation Institution Confederation (ACSIC) Conference in Mongolia

Posted on August 21, 2023October 19, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 7 to 11 August 2023, CGCC Delegation, led by H.E. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and Chairman of CGCC, attended the 35^th ACSIC Conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, hosted by Credit Guarantee Fund of Mongolia (CGFM), under the theme “Looking ahead: fostering green financing for sustainable development”.

CGCC Participated in the 35th Asian Credit Supplementation Institution Confederation (ACSIC) Conference in Mongolia

During the conference, H.E. Chairman of CGCC gave a warm greeting remark to all the participants on credit guarantee mechanism, as a supplement to the sustainable financial state in Cambodia.

Moreover, Mr. KL Wong, CEO of CGCC, was also invited as a speaker to the panel discussion on “Design, Implementation and Monitoring: The Role of Credit Guarantee Schemes in Addressing the Perceived Higher Risks Associated with Green Finance Investments”. In this panel discussion, Mr. KL Wong shared the progress of CGCC in developing a guarantee scheme to support green financing for sustainable development by collaborating with various government ministries and development agencies in supporting the country’s commitment to participate in reducing GHG emissions by about

Through this conference, delegates from members/observers also got the chance to share and exchange their respective views on respective topics around green financing for sustainable development through expert insight discussions, plenary discussions, fireside chats, panel discussions, and keynotes, in which to bring the solidarity effort toward building and developing the green financing, a key driver of positive change, as it’s not just relevant but vital in the face of current environmental challenges.

The 35^th ACSIC conference was participated by approximately 120 delegates representing members/observers of ACSIC from 13 countries in Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.

ACSIC is the cooperation of largest Asia’s credit guarantee organization established in 1987, designed to improve the credit guarantee system, which currently is participated by 19 credit institutions of 13 Asian countries.

Signing Ceremony on Portfolio Guarantee Scheme Between CGCC and Canadia Bank

Posted on July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On July 17, 2023, the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Canadia Bank, one of the leading commercial banks in Cambodia, signed an agreement on Portfolio Guarantee Scheme to provide guaranteed loans to micro, small and medium enterprises for retail and wholesale businesses in the country.

Signing Ceremony on Portfolio Guarantee Scheme Between CGCC and Canadia Bank

The agreement between CGCC and Canadia Bank on Portfolio Guarantee Scheme aims to support business including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their quick access without CGCC evaluates on guarantee application from the Participating Financial Institution (PFI) to formal loans even without collateral or insufficient collateral pledges for both working capital and investment or business expansion. By leveraging their respective expertise, both institutions are committed to facilitating the growth and development of SMEs, which are vital contributors to Cambodia’s economy.

In 2021, Canadia Bank was one of the first banks to participate in the Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS) led by CGCC under Cambodia’s government initiative to support the recovery of SMEs in various sectors during and post-pandemic. The Bank has been awarded by CGCC as one of the Top Performing Financial Institutions in Cambodia with the highest guaranteed loans disbursed with CGCC for 2022.

With its strong presence in the Cambodian financial sector, the agreement signed between CGCC and Canadia Bank will further enhance their credit cooperation which, in turn, will provide a positive impact to the SME ecosystem as well empower entrepreneurs by providing sustainable financial options for their business growth and expansion.

Mr. Raymond Sia, CEO and Board Director of Canadia Bank, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with CGCC to further our commitment to supporting the growth of SMEs in Cambodia. With this agreement, Canadia Bank hopes that SMEs business owners will have more sustainable financial access to enhance their business capability and efficiency for more sustained operations.”

Mr. Wong Keet Loong, CEO of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia, also excited of the cooperation. He said “This Portfolio Guarantee Scheme (PGS) is targeted specifically for businesses under the Retail and Wholesale Trade sector. It is designed to enhance lending to enable MSMEs in this sector to grow their business. The PGS reinforces both CGCC and Canadia Bank’s commitment to support the growth of MSMEs, which are vital contributors to Cambodia’s economy and employment opportunities.”

“Canadia Bank has been the top provider of guaranteed loans and this partnership will further solidify the Bank’s position as a trusted and reliable source of financing for businesses in this sector. This joint effort will further cement our commitment to improve financial inclusion and sustainable growth of MSMEs,” he added.

About Canadia Bank

Canadia Bank is a leading local and full-service commercial bank in Cambodia since 1991 and one of the largest commercial banks that holds commanding market shares in loans and deposits. In 2023, Canadia Bank was awarded “Best Retail Bank” by The Asian Banker and “The Best SME Bank” by the Digital Banker. The Bank has been recognized and awarded by The Asian Banker as “The Strongest Bank by Balance Sheet in Cambodia in 2019,” the “Best Managed Bank in 2022”, and “The Best Retail Bank” for 3 consecutive awarding years in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

As of April 2023, Canadia Bank has 68 branches and more than 400 self-service digital devices across Cambodia, such as ATMs, Cash Recycling Machines, Virtual Teller Machines, and Smart Card-Issuing Machines. For more information, please visit our website, www.canadiabank.com.kh.

About CGCC

CGCC is the first-ever credit guarantee corporation in Cambodia, established by the decision of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister as a state-owned enterprise under the technical and financial guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. CGCC’s main mission is to provide credit guarantees to lenders on loans made to businesses based on international standards to share the risk with lenders and to improve financial inclusion.

14th Board of Directors Meeting of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC)

Posted on July 1, 2023October 23, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 29 June 2023 at 2:00pm, CGCC organized the 14th Board of Directors Meeting at Rosewood Hotel under the chairmanship of H.E. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Chairman of CGCC’s Board of Directors, with the presence of members of the Board of Directors and the state controller.

14th Board of Directors Meeting of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC)

The agendas of this 14th Board of Directors Meeting included: (1) CGCC Progress Report, (2) Internal Audit Report on Centralized Operations, (3) PGS with Canadia Bank Plc., Sathapana Bank Plc., and Prince Bank Plc., (4) Establishment of Investment Committee, (5) Whistle Blowing Policy, and (6) Others.

CGCC’s Board of Directors Meeting is regularly organized to review, endorse, and approve CGCC’s activities and progress, especially the credit guarantee schemes, to ensure the transparency and efficiency of CGCC.

Dissemination Seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Kompong Thom Province

Posted on June 15, 2023June 19, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On June 07, 2023, the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) co-organized a seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Kampong Thom Province in collaboration with Kampong Thom – Preah Vihear Chamber of Commerce with more than 100 participants from Management and staff of participating financial institutions (PFIs) and small and medium business owners in Kampong Thom and other provinces. The seminar was also presided over by H.E. Tan Mony, Vice President of Kampong Thom – Preah Vihear Chamber of Commerce, Mr. No Lida, Deputy CEO of CGCC, Mr. Chuon Kimyan, Chief Executive Officer of Kampong Thom Techash Meanchey Union of Agriculture Corporative, and also the presentations by representatives from AMK Microfinance Institution and Canadia Bank as well.

Dissemination Seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Kompong Thom Province

Click here to read more about: Dissemination Seminar on “Guaranteed Loans to Support the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises” in Svay Rieng Province

Maybank Cambodia, CGCC, BNI, CWEA ink MoU to Elevate SME Capacity and Capability Building

Posted on June 12, 2023October 20, 2023 by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

Maybank Cambodia, and Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) have entered into a strategic partnership with Business Network International (BNI), and Cambodia Women Enterprise Association (CWEA) with an intent to support the local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom through SME Building Capacity & Capability Programme (BCC).

Under the MOU, Maybank Cambodia, CGCC, BNI, and CWEA will collaborate to provide trainings and workshops to the members of BNI, and CWEA, and other participating SMEs to help them expand their businesses. The trainings will cover a range of topics relating to financial literacy and business operation.

The MOU will also pave the way for the participating SMEs’ long-term social and business growth through networking sessions, technical and knowledge sharing, and incentivised rates offered by Maybank Cambodia.

The MOU was inked at Maybank Tower and presided over by Rath Sophoan, Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Cambodia, Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC, Kruy Rithy, President of BNI-Super, and Chea Ratha, Vice President of CWEA and witnessed by Dr Sok Siphana, Founding Partner of SokSiphana&associates and Chairman of Asian Vision Institute.

Sophoan, CEO of Maybank Cambodia said, “This MOU and BCC Programme signify Maybank’s continuous commitment to supporting the growth of SMEs in Cambodia. We believe that by providing training in capacity and capability building as part of the financial literacy programme, we are equipping SMEs with the right tools to sustain their business, thus contributing to the Kingdom’s overall economic development.”

Wong, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC said “We believe that the BCC Programme will be a valuable resource for SMEs in Cambodia and will help our entrepreneurs to grow and succeed with the broader opportunities to access to financing and improve financial literacy, which is aligned with our goals at CGCC”

Ratha, Vice President of CWEA endorsed “we are delighted to participate in this initiative, as it aligns with our mission of empowering women entrepreneurs through upskilling and networking.”

Rithy from BNI Super also expressed his optimism on the training. He said “We are confident that this partnership will be mutually beneficially, as it will allow our members to expand their networks, develop new skills, and grow their businesses.”

Credit to: Khmer Times, Published on 11 June 2023

Tag: SME Development