Cambodia Moves to Expand Finance and Market Access for MSMEs

AKP Phnom Penh, October 27, 2026 --

Cambodia is seeking to expand access to finance and markets for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with financing gaps and limited market access identified as two major challenges facing the sector.

Speaking at the 1st National Forum on Financing for MSMEs on Oct. 27, H.E. Dr. Kao Thach, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB), said greater support for MSMEs was essential to strengthening the national economy.

The forum, themed “Access to Finance for MSMEs”, was jointly organised by ARDB and the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC), with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth presiding over the opening ceremony.

H.E. Kao Thach said many Cambodian MSMEs operate informally or as family-run businesses and face difficulties securing finance because they lack collateral and proper accounting records. Some are consequently forced to rely on informal sources of capital carrying high interest rates, creating heavy debt burdens.

“Providing loans to MSMEs is not just a business transaction; it is an investment in the future and the resilience of the Cambodian national economy,” he said.

He also highlighted market-access challenges, including limited processing technology, inadequate packaging, failure to meet quality standards and weak distribution networks.

The forum aims to connect MSMEs with sources of capital while expanding market opportunities. H.E. Kao Thach said state-backed credit guarantees through the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia could help businesses without sufficient collateral access legitimate loans.

Special credit schemes through ARDB and the SME Bank of Cambodia, in cooperation with partner commercial banks, are also intended to support priority sectors including agro-industry, food processing and import-substituting manufacturing.

The initiative will also promote business-to-business meetings between Cambodian producers and major buyers, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, while supporting e-commerce registration and international certification to help Khmer products reach overseas markets.

H.E. Kao Thach urged financial institutions to consider entrepreneurs’ potential, vision and integrity alongside financial figures and collateral, while calling on businesses to use capital responsibly and maintain quality and safety.

By Sum Kosal